PLUNK! If you hear this sound, it’s time to act – fast! Saving your cellphone from a watery grave is possible with the right knowledge. Best Skins Ever is here to help with step-by-step instructions on how to dry (and save) your wet cell phone.
1. Remove the phone from water.
This is arguably the most important step in the process. The more time your device spends in water, the less luck you’ll have rescuing it. DO NOT TURN THE PHONE ON! After a drop like this, you’ll be more than tempted to see if the phone works (trust us, we understand). The problem here is that the device could short circuit if it’s activated. It is best just to turn it off for now. Also, wipe away any excess water from the phone’s surface.
2. Take the battery out of the phone.
Many phones do not have removable batteries, if that is the case, you can skip this step. Removing your battery will prevent the device from short-circuiting in the event that any electrical currents travel through it. You should also remove the SIM card if your phone uses one. Your battery should have a white strip on its underside. If this strip is red or pink, then your phone has water damage.
3. Remove all accessories.
Any earphones, memory cards, or protective cases should be removed. These items are notorious for trapping water, and can retain liquid in areas of your phone that should be uncovered.
4. Use a vacuum cleaner.
This method is useful for removing the liquid from the inner parts of your device. Be sure to focus on all areas of the phone for at least 20 minutes each. DO NOT USE A HAIRDRYER! Contrary to popular believe, this will only push fluids deeper into your phone, potentially causing damage to the electrical components. If the dryer gets too hot, parts of your phone could be damaged as a result of melting.
5. Place your phone in a bowl of rice.
Certainly you knew this suggestion was coming, right? Rice is one of the oldest tricks in the book when it comes to salvaging a soaked cellular device. Its high absorbency is ideal for helping draw fluid from the delicate areas of your phone. Be sure to rotate your phone’s position every hour or so to ensure that water can escape from all angles. Oh, and be sure that the rice is uncooked before you place your phone in it.
6. Let your phone sit on an absorbent, flat surface.
Napkins, handkerchiefs, paper towels, anything that is flat and absorbs moisture will work for this step. Allow any final moisture to escape, and refrain from using the phone for 24 more hours.
7. Finally, test your phone.
Check to make sure that your entire phone is dry. A quick scan for excess moisture should do. Turn on your device, and observe it carefully. Does the welcome screen appear? Are the sounds peculiar at all? These are telling signs of water damage to your phone. If it doesn’t power on, you can try removing the battery, and connecting the phone to a charger. If it works now, then you’ll need to replace the battery to your phone.
No method is 100% effective, but this process has a pretty high success rate, and costs much less than replacing your device altogether. Know of any other methods? Share them with us!
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