Dropped phone in water? 11 things you should do right away

This goes without saying – remove the phone from water as soon as possible. The longer your phone stays submerged, the higher the chances of water seeping into the internal components.

Be quick, take it out of water

As soon as your phone gets wet, switch it off to prevent any short circuits. Even if it seems to be working fine, water inside the device can cause internal damage.

Turn off the phone

Use a lint-free cloth to gently pat your phone dry. Be careful not to press down too hard, as this could push water further into the phone’s openings like the headphone jack or charging port.

Wipe it with a dry cloth

Take out the SIM card and memory card immediately. These components are more sensitive to water damage and can easily corrode if left inside.

Remove the SIM card

Tilt the phone slightly to allow excess water to drain out. Be gentle—shaking the phone too aggressively could cause the water to spread inside.

Shake Off excess water carefully

If available, use a small handheld vacuum cleaner to carefully suck out any water from ports and crevices. Avoid using a hair dryer, as the heat could damage the internal components.

Vacuum cleaner can help 

One of the most common methods to dry out a phone is to place it in a bag of uncooked rice. Leave the phone fully submerged in rice for 24 to 48 hours to absorb moisture.

Uncooked rice trick

If you have silica gel packets (those little packets found in new shoe boxes or electronics packaging), use them to dry your phone instead of rice. Silica gel is more effective at absorbing moisture and works faster.

Use silica Gel packets

Patience is key. Resist the urge to turn on your phone immediately after drying. Leave the phone to sit for at least 48 hours to ensure all moisture has evaporated.

Dry it completely 

If your phone doesn’t power on after following these steps, take it to a service center. Be honest with the technician about the water damage so they can properly assess and repair your device.

Service center is your last resort