Category: Water Damage

Acting fast and calmly gives your phone the best chance. Here is exactly what to do in the first 10 minutes.

Minute 0 to 1

Pull the phone out immediately. The longer it stays underwater, the more water can get in.

Minute 1 to 3

• Do not press buttons over and over
• Do not plug it in
• Remove the case and any accessories

Minute 3 to 5

Wipe the phone with a lint-free cloth. Tap it gently with the ports and speakers facing down.

Minute 5 to 10

If the phone is working, run Water Eject 2 to 3 times. Then leave it in a dry place with airflow, ports facing down.

Next 24 hours

Do not charge with a cable until you are sure the port is dry. Check it after a few hours. Most water-resistant phones recover.

Special cases

The rice myth

Rice does not dry phones faster than open air, and it can leave starch and dust in ports. Skip it.

When to get a repair

If the phone will not turn on after a day, gets hot, or shows screen problems, take it to an authorized repair shop.

FAQ

Should I turn my phone off?

If it was off, keep it off. If it is on and working, turning it off is fine and can reduce risk while it dries.

165 Hz is the most popular frequency for clearing water from phone speakers. It is low enough to move the speaker cone a lot, but high enough for small phone speakers to play clearly.

Why this frequency?

Small speakers struggle with very deep bass. Below about 100 Hz, they barely move air. At around 165 Hz, they move strongly and push water drops toward the grille.

How to use it

1. Remove the case and dry the phone.
2. Set volume to max.
3. Hold the speaker facing down.
4. Play the 165 Hz Water Eject tone for 60 seconds.
5. Test the sound and repeat up to 3 times.

Steady vs. pulsing tones

Our tone pulses gently, which shakes drops loose instead of only pushing them. Many people find it clears water faster than a steady tone.

Other useful frequencies

You can play any of these in the Tone Generator.

Is it safe?

Yes. 165 Hz is within your speaker’s normal range. Stop if you hear constant, harsh rattling.

FAQ

Do I need headphones?

No. The point is to move your phone’s own speaker, so play it through the speaker.

A wet charging port is one of the most common water problems. Charging while wet can cause corrosion, so phones often block charging until the port is dry.

Safe steps

1. Unplug any cable.
2. Hold the phone with the port facing down and tap it gently against your palm.
3. Wipe around the port with a lint-free cloth.
4. Leave the phone in a dry place with airflow for at least 30 minutes.
5. Try charging again. If you still see a warning, wait longer.

What not to do

• Do not blow into the port; your breath adds moisture
• Do not use a hair dryer on heat
• Do not push cotton swabs or paper inside
• Do not put the phone in rice

Can a sound remove water from the port?

Sound tools clear the speaker grille, which often sits next to the port. They do not reach inside the port itself. Air-drying is still needed.

Wireless charging while you wait

Many phones support wireless charging. If the back is dry, you can usually charge this way while the port dries.

Signs of corrosion

Green, white or brown residue inside the port, or charging that only works at certain angles, can mean corrosion. Get it cleaned by a repair shop.

FAQ

How long should I wait?

Usually 30 minutes to a few hours. In humid weather it can take up to a day.

What you do in the first hour matters most. Stay calm and follow these steps in order.

First 5 minutes

1. Take the phone out of the water immediately.
2. If it is off, leave it off. If it is on and working, you can keep it on, but do not charge it.
3. Remove the case, SIM tray (if easy) and any accessories.
4. Wipe the outside with a soft, lint-free cloth.
5. Gently tap the phone with ports and speakers facing down.

Next 30 minutes

1. Run our Water Eject tone 2 to 3 times if the phone is working.
2. Leave the phone in a dry place with good airflow, ports facing down.
3. A fan on low, room-temperature air can help.

Next 24 hours

Do not charge with a cable while the port may be wet. Check the phone after a few hours. Most water-resistant phones recover fully after drying.

What not to do

Salt water, pool water or soda

These leave residue that can corrode parts. If safe, rinse the outside briefly with a little fresh water, then dry as above. Get it checked if anything seems wrong.

Signs you need a repair

• Phone will not turn on after 24 hours of drying
• Screen shows lines or flickers
• Phone gets hot
• Fog inside the camera lens that does not clear

FAQ

My phone is IP68. Do I still need to worry?

Water resistance reduces risk, but it is not permanent and does not cover every situation. Drying it properly is still smart.