How to Fix Phone Water Damage
Watching your smartphone submerge in water is the worst feeling, but if you act quickly enough, you might be able to save it.
You wouldn't be alone if you dropped your iPhone in water and had to deal with liquid damage to your device. However, some people have no idea what to do when this happens. Since acting quickly is essential, many of them end up with permanent damage.
In this article, we discuss how to dry out your smartphone in case of phone water damage. We also discuss how and when to repair your smartphone. Continue reading and find out how to save your phone.
What Not to Do
The first step in knowing how to fix phone water damage is to understand what you shouldn't do. There are certain steps that can cause more harm than good. The actions to avoid are important to remember as they can actually ruin your phone.
First, avoid turning your phone on or plugging it into an outlet. This might be an automatic response because you want to make sure your phone still works, but this can actually cause the electronic parts in your phone to short out. The same can be said about pressing any keys or attempting to use your phone in any way.
Next, avoid shaking or blowing to dry out your smartphone. You can accidentally push water deeper into your phone. For this reason and to avoid using heat, you should also refrain from using a hairdryer.
1. Prevent Phone Water Damage
If you're wondering how to fix phone water damage, the first step is to act quickly. The faster you address the issue, the more likely you are to save your phone.
Start by doing your best to prevent water damage. You can do this by investing in a water-resistant or waterproof phone case. Alternatively, consider getting a dry carrying pouch or a dry bag for phones and devices.
With a variety of sizes and designs available online, you can get one small enough to protect just your phone or large enough to protect multiple devices, beach towels, and more. This way, if you dropped your iPhone in the water, you would be covered.
2. Turn It Off
If you dropped your iPhone in water, the first thing you should do after retrieving it is to turn it off. Water and electronics do not work well together. The longer it sits in water, the less likely it is that you can save it.
Once you've collected it from the water, turn it off and keep it upright. You also want to minimize movement as much as possible.
3. Allow the Parts to Dry
Now that your phone is out of the water and off, you need to let the parts dry. Most modern phones don't offer easy access to the battery. However, if you do have access to the battery, we recommend removing it.
How to Fix Phone Water Damage
“If you've dropped your iPhone in water, be sure to avoid turning it on and forcing water deeper into your phone.”
You also want to remove your SIM card and SD card. Remove any parts that can easily be removed from your phone. This leaves fewer places for moisture to linger and will help dry out your smartphone faster.
After everything is removed, gently dry all of the pieces with a cloth or paper towel. It's not a bad idea to disinfect the surface of your phone. Remember to avoid shaking or blowing to dry out your phone to minimize phone water damage.
Finally, lay each piece out to air dry. Any remaining moisture should dry overnight. Make sure to leave it alone to dry; too much movement can push water further into your phone's electronic parts.
4. Use a Water Damage Kit or Rice
If you can't make it to a repair shop, you can use a water damage kit or rice. A water damage kit has small particles that absorb moisture from your phone. These particles absorb water faster than if you let the phone air dry.
A water damage kit is preferred to other methods such as rice. This is because other materials, such as rice, can leave dust particles inside of your phone.
These particles can cause damage even if the rice helps remove moisture. However, if you are in a pinch, rice works to attract moisture, but beware that it may cause issues down the road.
To use these two resources, bury your phone completely in the rice or particles for a minimum of 24 hours or as instructed on the package. Avoid moving the container as much as possible.
5. Repair or Replace
These steps might get your phone running, but it may not be fully functional. In many cases, you may still need someone to professionally repair your smartphone. On the bright side, iPhone repair may be easier if you acted quickly to dry out your smartphone.
Be prepared when you take your phone in for repair. Most warranties don't cover water damage. You also can't hide water damage from a repair company or insurance since many phones are equipped with a liquid damage indicator strip.
If all else fails, your iPhone repair specialist may tell you that it can't be fixed. That means you either have to deal with the new performance issues or you need to replace your phone. In some cases, damages are minor, and you might be able to make it through to your next upgrade, but sometimes they can't be saved.
Be prepared for Phone Water Damage
Phone water damage can mean the end of your phone, but if you act quickly enough, you might be able to save it. If you've dropped your iPhone in water, be sure to avoid turning it on and forcing water deeper into your phone.
The faster you turn it off and start the drying process, the better chance you have of avoiding replacing your phone. However, even if you get your phone dried out, we recommend bringing it in for a specialist for repair.
If you are looking for someone to repair your smartphone, book an appointment online today.
