How to Fix a Water-Damaged Phone: A Calm, Step-by-Step Guide

How to Fix a Water-Damaged Phone: A Calm, Step-by-Step Guide

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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

Do notWhy
Put it in riceStarch and dust can get inside
Use a hair dryer on heatHeat can damage the battery and seals
Charge it right awayCan cause short circuits or corrosion
Shake it hardCan push water deeper
Open it yourselfCan break seals and void warranty

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.

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