Dropping your phone into water can be a stressful experience, whether it happens near a swimming pool, a bathtub, or a toilet. Once your smartphone has had an unintended encounter with liquid, the immediate concern is how to dry it out effectively. While a lot of advice circulates online, some of it can be contradictory. This guide offers practical steps and warnings to help you salvage your device.
Immediate Actions: What You Should Do
The first crucial step is to immediately address the exterior of the phone. Dry it off thoroughly with an absorbent material like a towel, a clean cloth, or even your shirtsleeve. Following this, it's important to remove any accessible components to facilitate drying. Take out the SIM card and its holder. If your phone allows for disassembly, remove the back housing and the battery, and wipe them dry. If possible, turn the phone off to prevent short-circuiting.
For devices that cannot be disassembled, such as iPhones, Apple recommends a specific method to help liquid escape. Gently tap the phone against your hand with the connector ports facing downwards. This action is designed to allow any trapped liquid to flow out. Samsung, a major Android phone manufacturer, suggests a different approach for cleaning ports. They recommend using a cotton bud to carefully remove moisture from the earphone jack and charging port.
It's important to note that Apple advises against inserting cotton buds into iPhone openings, citing potential damage. If the liquid that came into contact with your phone is not plain water, but rather a substance like a drink, seawater, or chlorinated pool water, Samsung offers additional advice. They suggest soaking the phone in clean water for a few minutes. This rinsing process is intended to remove impurities or salinity that could accelerate corrosion within the phone's circuitry. Both major manufacturers, Apple and Samsung, agree that after the initial drying steps, the phone should be left to air dry in a well-ventilated area, potentially with the assistance of a fan. Google also advises leaving the device to dry at room temperature.
What Not to Do: Common Mistakes to Avoid
When dealing with a wet phone, certain actions can cause more harm than good. It is strongly advised not to use a hair dryer or compressed air on your phone. The heat from a hair dryer can damage sensitive components, and the force of compressed air can push water further into the device. Similarly, placing your phone in a freezer is not recommended. While it might seem like a way to prevent short-circuiting, the problem will likely resurface once the device begins to thaw.
Avoid putting your device in a tumble dryer or placing it on top of a radiator. These methods expose the phone to excessive heat, which can cause significant internal damage. Critically, do not attempt to power up the phone or charge it with a cable immediately after it has been wet. However, if your phone supports wireless charging and you absolutely need to turn it on in an emergency, this method is generally considered acceptable.
The Rice Debate: Separating Fact from Fiction
The idea of drying a phone by placing it in a bowl of rice has been a popular tip for years. The theory is that rice, being a desiccant, will absorb moisture from the device. However, Apple has officially stated that this method is not recommended. In an advisory published in early January, Apple warned against putting iPhones in bags of rice. The company explained that small particles of rice could potentially enter the phone's openings and cause damage.
Effective Alternatives to Rice
If rice is not the best option, there are more effective drying agents available. The most recommended alternative is silica gel. These are small beads that are highly effective at absorbing moisture and are often found in packets included with new products like beef jerky, seaweed sheets, or sneakers to keep them dry during transit. You can also purchase silica gel beads in bulk online.
For the best results with silica gel, place your wet phone and the beads in an airtight container. This creates an environment where the silica gel can efficiently draw moisture away from the device.
Assessing When Your Phone is Dry
Determining exactly when a phone is completely dry can be challenging. The general recommendation is to wait as long as possible, ideally at least a few days. Even after air-drying, Samsung advises bringing your device to a service center for a professional inspection to ensure there is no residual moisture that could lead to long-term damage.
Understanding Water Resistance vs. Waterproofing
In recent years, many smartphones have been engineered with water resistance. This means they can withstand exposure to water for a specific duration and depth without allowing liquid to penetrate critical internal components. However, it's crucial to understand that water-resistant is not the same as waterproof.
Apple states that the iPhone 7 and newer models are splash and water resistant. Devices like the iPhone XS and later models often carry an IP68 rating, signifying they can be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes, with depths varying by model, potentially up to 6 meters (20 feet). These advanced models also feature a liquid detection warning in their ports and will advise against charging if moisture is present.
Samsung reports that many of its Galaxy Android phones also have similar IP ratings, though the maximum submersion depth might be around 5 meters (16 feet). Google's newer Pixel phones also come with comparable water resistance ratings. However, Google emphasizes that these phones are not waterproof, and their water resistance can decrease over time due to normal wear and tear, device repairs, disassembly, or accidental damage.