Tip of the Week: This Is What Should You Do When Your Smartphone Gets Wet

Mistakes happen, especially with smartphones. Whether you’re dropping it on the floor, in the toilet, or in a puddle, there’s no shame in making this mistake. Granted, when this does occur, you need to act fast. Any water in, on, or around your device isn’t recommended, but let’s talk about what happens when you’re thrown into a worst-case scenario.

One thing to keep in mind is that many manufacturers are making devices that are, at the very least, water resistant. These devices are given an International Protection (IP) score, which is based on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This rating is given to any consumer device, and it designates how much protection a consumer can expect from it. For example, a device classified as IP67 is resistant to dust and can be submerged in water no more than one meter deep for up to half an hour. The only difference between this and an IP68 device is that the IP68 guarantees protection in 1.5 meters of water for up to half an hour.

Of course, you didn’t come here to learn about the semantics related to device protection classification--you want to know what to do if your device falls in water. Here are some decent catch-all steps you can take to potentially save your device.

1. Turn Off Your Device: Be sure to turn off your device as soon as possible. Don’t try to plug it in or shake it. Don’t blow in it or use a blow dryer to try to save it. Just follow the steps below and don’t stray from them.
2. Remove your SIM card and any other expandable storage.
3. Remove the battery if possible: Some phones don’t have the removable battery, so if it doesn’t, don’t just pry it open. Have a professional do it for you. You can always check out YouTube for tutorials as well.
4. Use an absorbent rag to dab your phone dry: Try not to wipe it around, as this could spread the liquid too much.
5. Place the phone in a plastic bag filled with uncooked rice: The rice will absorb the liquid.
6. Let your phone dry for a day or two before trying to turn it on.
7. Turn it on: If this doesn’t work, try charging it. If the device doesn’t charge, the battery could be damaged. You will want to work with a professional to do this, if you haven’t already done so.
8. If it seems to work right, make sure everything does: Make sure you test the screen for responsiveness, as well as the speakers and microphone.

By following these eight steps, you’ll maximize your chances of getting away from a phone-meets-liquid incident unscathed. If you found this blog helpful, be sure to share it with anyone else who might benefit from it.