It’s a situation that many of us dread – dropping our phone in the toilet. But accidents happen and it’s important to know what to do in case of water damage. There are a lot of myths out there about fixing water damage, such as throwing your phone in a bag of rice. But did you know that rice can actually damage your phone? In this article, we’ll go over the proper steps to take to fix your phone after it’s been dropped in water.
First and foremost, time is of the essence. The longer your phone sits in water, the more damage it will incur. So, the moment you retrieve your phone from the water, turn it off completely. Hold down the power button until it says “slide to power off” and slide it. Do not turn it back on. This is important because once water damage has occurred, it cannot be undone.
Next, wipe your phone dry with a paper towel or any absorbent material. Keep your phone flat during this process to prevent water from moving throughout the phone. Try to wipe it down the best you can and wipe out the bottom, but avoid moving it around too much.
After wiping your phone dry, remove the SIM card tray. You can do this by inserting a paperclip or SIM card remover into the small hole on the side of the tray. Water may come out with the tray, so keep it flat and put it to the side.
Next, you’ll need a plastic bag and desiccants. Desiccants are packets that are made to absorb moisture, such as silica gel or deoxisizer. You can find these in packages that you’ve already received, such as dog treats or other products that need to stay dry. Open the bag, lay your phone flat inside, add one or two desiccant packets and seal the bag shut. This process is a lot better than using rice since rice is not as strong as desiccants.
Now the hard part, waiting. You’ll want to wait at least 24 hours before turning your phone back on. If you turn it on too early, it can short out and you’ll need a new phone. Signs that your phone has shorted out include the touchscreen acting weird, colors not working correctly, or any other strange behavior.
Once you’ve waited for at least 24 hours, turn your phone back on. Make sure to back up all your data right away. If you need guidance on how to do this, there are helpful tutorials available online.
In conclusion, dropping your phone in water is never a good experience. But with the right steps, you can salvage your device and avoid causing further damage. Remember to act fast, keep your phone flat, and avoid using rice. Desiccants are your best bet for removing water damage from your phone.