There’s no worse feeling than seeing your phone drop into the water, whether it’s a swimming pool, a sink full of dishwater, or (most commonly) a toilet. Even a small amount of water can spell disaster for an electronic device. If you don’t have a water-resistant phone, you may end up having to replace it, but before you give it up as a lost cause, try the following steps to fix your water-damaged phone.
Step One: Take The Phone Out Of The Water As Quickly As Possible
Time is of the essence, so the faster you get the phone out of the water, the better your chances of being able to fix it. Even if that means sticking your hand into the toilet, it’s best not to hesitate. When you take it out, it’s very important to make sure the phone is off. If you attempt to turn on the phone or plug it in, you will likely cause more damage to the internal circuitry. Put the phone on a solid, dry surface and don’t press any buttons or try to shake off excess water. Avoid using a hair dryer, microwave, or other heat sources to dry the phone as heat will almost surely cause additional damage. Also, you can check iPhone Repair Portland
Step Two: Take The Phone Apart
Very gently, disassemble the parts of the phone that are made to be removed. These typically include the case, back cover of the phone, the SIM card, and the memory card, if you have one. Some older phones may have removable batteries as well, but most newer ones do not. However, it’s not a good idea to take the whole phone apart unless you are already very familiar with the process. While exposing the circuitry to air can help to dry it out more quickly, amateurs are just too likely to make mistakes and cause even more damage. Once the phone is disassembled, place each part on a dry paper towel.
Step Three: Dry Out The Phone
Before attempting to use the phone, you must make sure that it’s completely dry. You can start by using a paper towel to absorb moisture from the outside of the phone. A vacuum cleaner can also do a good job of sucking up moisture and helping the phone to dry out. However, if you try the vacuum method, make sure not to hold it the hose close to the phone. Even when the phone is visibly dry, it won’t be ready to use. To make sure the phone is completely dry from the inside out, place it in a re-sealable plastic bag filled with rice or silica gel packets and leave it alone for at least 48 hours. While you’re waiting, it might be a good idea to find a warranty plan that will cover phone damage in the future.
After two days, put your phone back together, turn it on or put it on the charger, and see what happens. In many cases, these steps will fix a water-damaged phone. If it doesn’t come on after two days of drying, however, you’ll probably need to call an expert. Consider investing in a waterproof phone case that will greatly minimize the risk of water damage. In addition, make sure to keep your data backed up to a cloud service.
