What to Do When Your Phone Gets Water Damaged

1. Immediate Steps: First 60 Seconds

The first minute after water exposure is the most critical. Here's exactly what you need to do, in order:

Step 1: Remove from Water Immediately

Get your phone out of the water as quickly as possible. The longer it stays submerged, the more water can seep into internal components through openings like the charging port, headphone jack, or speaker grills.

Step 2: Power Off Completely

DO NOT turn on your phone if it's already off. If it's still on, power it down immediately. Press and hold the power button until you see the shutdown screen, then slide to power off.

• On iPhone: Press and hold side button + volume button, slide to power off
• On Android: Press and hold power button, tap "Power off"
• If unresponsive: Force restart may be necessary, but turning on should be avoided

Step 3: Remove All Accessories

Quickly remove:

• Phone case and screen protector
• SIM card and SIM tray (use the eject pin)
• SD card if applicable
• Any cables, headphones, or attachments

Removing these items allows better air circulation and prevents trapped water from staying in contact with the device.

Step 4: Dry External Surfaces

Use a clean, dry, lint-free cloth to gently pat dry all external surfaces. Pay special attention to:

• Charging port
• Headphone jack
• Speaker and microphone grills
• Camera lenses
• All buttons and seams

Tip: Don't press too hard or try to force water out by squeezing the device.

2. Critical Mistakes to Avoid

In the panic of the moment, many people make these common mistakes that can cause permanent damage:

Never Use a Hair Dryer or Heat Source

While it might seem logical to use heat to dry your phone, this is one of the worst things you can do. Heat can:

• Melt internal plastic components
• Warp circuit boards
• Damage the battery, causing swelling or even explosion
• Push water deeper into the device
• Evaporate water inside sealed components, leaving mineral deposits

Don't Shake or Blow into the Phone

Shaking or blowing air into ports can push water further into internal components that might have stayed dry. The phone's internal structure has chambers and spaces where water can spread if disturbed.

Never Press Buttons Repeatedly

Pressing buttons can force water into areas that have mechanical switches underneath. Once powered off, leave it off.

Don't Try to Charge It

This is extremely important: Do not plug in your phone to charge or check if it works. Water and electricity don't mix. Attempting to charge a wet phone can cause:

• Short circuits that permanently damage the logic board
• Corrosion of internal components
• Electric shock or fire hazard
• Complete device failure

3. Proper Drying Techniques

After taking immediate action, proper drying is essential. Here are professional-recommended methods:

The Silica Gel Method (Best Home Option)

Silica gel packets are the most effective moisture absorber for electronics:

1. Gather as many silica gel packets as you can find (check shoe boxes, bags, packages)
2. Place your phone in an airtight container or ziplock bag
3. Surround it completely with silica gel packets
4. Seal the container and wait 48-72 hours
5. Don't open the container during this time—breaking the seal lets moisture back in

The Air Dry Method

If you don't have silica gel, controlled air drying is the next best option:

• Place phone in a well-ventilated area with low humidity
• Position it upright or slightly tilted so ports face down, allowing water to drain out
• Use a fan (not heat!) to circulate air around the device
• Leave it for at least 48 hours, preferably 72

What About Vacuum Chambers?

Some repair shops use vacuum chambers to extract moisture. This professional equipment creates negative pressure that draws water out of the device without heat. This is highly effective but requires specialized equipment.

4. Assessing the Damage

After 48-72 hours of drying, you can carefully assess whether your phone survived. Here's how:

Visual Inspection

Before powering on, check for these warning signs:

• Moisture under screen: Foggy appearance or water spots visible
• Camera fog: Condensation inside camera lenses
• Corrosion: Green or white residue around ports or buttons
• Liquid indicator: Most phones have water damage indicators that change color when wet

Checking Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI)

Most smartphones have LCI stickers that turn red or pink when exposed to water:

• iPhone: Inside the SIM card tray slot (look with a flashlight)
• Samsung: Usually in the SIM/SD card tray or charging port
• Google Pixel: In the SIM card tray area

If the indicator shows water exposure, your warranty is likely void, but professional repair may still be possible.

First Power-On

If no moisture is visible after 72 hours:

1. Press and hold the power button to turn on the device
2. Watch carefully for any signs of malfunction during startup
3. If it powers on normally, immediately back up all your data
4. Test all functions: screen touch, buttons, cameras, speakers, microphone

Common Post-Water Damage Issues

Even if your phone turns on, watch for these problems in the following days:

• Screen flickering or dead pixels
• Intermittent charging issues
• Muffled speakers or microphone
• Unresponsive touch screen areas
• Rapid battery drain
• Random restarts or freezing
• Overheating

Any of these symptoms indicate internal damage that requires professional water damage repair.

5. Why Rice Doesn't Work (Debunking the Myth)

You've probably heard the advice to "put it in rice." This is one of the most persistent tech myths, but here's the truth:

The Problems with Rice

• Rice dust and starch: Can get inside your phone and cause more damage
• Small rice pieces: Can get stuck in ports and speakers
• Not effective: Rice is a poor desiccant compared to silica gel or even open air
• False security: People often turn on phones too early, assuming rice has dried them

Scientific Testing Results

Multiple studies have tested rice against other drying methods:

• Silica gel absorbed 37% of moisture in 12 hours
• Open air circulation absorbed 21% of moisture in 12 hours
• Uncooked rice absorbed only 13% of moisture in 12 hours

Rice is actually one of the least effective methods for drying electronics.

What to Use Instead

Better alternatives to rice:

1. Silica gel packets (most effective)
2. Crystal cat litter (silica-based, not clay)
3. Controlled air circulation with a fan
4. Professional vacuum chamber (best option)

6. Understanding Water Resistance Ratings

Many modern phones advertise water resistance, but this doesn't mean they're waterproof. Understanding the ratings can help you know what your phone can handle.

IP Rating System Explained

The IP (Ingress Protection) rating consists of two numbers:

• First digit: Protection against solid objects (dust)
• Second digit: Protection against liquids (water)

Common Phone Water Ratings

• IP67: Can withstand immersion in 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes (iPhone 12, SE 2nd gen)
• IP68: Can withstand immersion in 1.5-6 meters of water for 30 minutes (iPhone 13/14/15, Samsung S21/S22/S23)
• No rating: Not water resistant (many budget phones)

Important Limitations

Water resistance ratings come with critical caveats:

• Ratings are tested in controlled lab conditions with fresh water only
• Protection degrades over time as seals wear out
• Drops and damage can compromise water resistance
• Hot water, salt water, and chlorinated water aren't covered
• Water pressure (like from a shower or faucet) exceeds rating limits
• Manufacturers typically don't cover water damage under warranty

Even with an IP68 rating, you should never deliberately expose your phone to water.

7. Saltwater vs Freshwater Damage

Not all water damage is equal. The type of liquid makes a significant difference in recovery chances.

Freshwater Exposure

Clean tap water or rainwater is the least damaging:

• Fewer corrosive minerals
• Can evaporate cleanly if dried quickly
• Best chance of full recovery with proper treatment

Saltwater Exposure (Ocean, Sea)

Saltwater is extremely corrosive and acts fast:

• Salt crystals cause rapid corrosion of metal components
• Highly conductive, increasing short circuit risk
• Leaves damaging residue even after drying
• Requires professional cleaning with specialized solutions

If your phone went into salt water, seek professional help within hours, not days. Our water damage specialists can disassemble and clean the device with ultrasonic cleaners and neutralizing solutions.

Other Liquids

Different liquids pose different risks:

• Pool water (chlorinated): Moderately corrosive, similar urgency to salt water
• Toilet water: Contaminated; requires professional cleaning for safety
• Coffee, soda, juice: Sugar and acids cause corrosion; sticky residue damages components
• Beer, wine: Alcohol evaporates quickly but leaves sugar and other residues

Any liquid besides pure water requires professional cleaning to prevent long-term damage.

8. When to Seek Professional Help

While DIY drying can work for minor splashes, many situations require professional intervention:

Seek Immediate Professional Help If:

• Phone was submerged in salt water or chlorinated water
• Exposure lasted more than 30 seconds
• Phone was in hot water (above 95°F/35°C)
• Device won't turn on after 72 hours of drying
• Visible moisture remains under screen or in camera
• Liquid contact indicator shows water exposure
• Phone contains irreplaceable data not backed up
• Device shows signs of corrosion

Professional Water Damage Treatment

At Phone Repair Pro, our water damage service includes:

1. Immediate disassembly: Opening the device within minutes of arrival
2. Ultrasonic cleaning: Using specialized solutions to remove water and contaminants
3. Component inspection: Testing each part for damage
4. Corrosion removal: Cleaning circuit boards with precision tools
5. Drying chamber: Professional vacuum drying equipment
6. Component replacement: Replacing damaged parts like batteries, charging ports, or screens
7. Testing: Thorough functionality testing before return
8. Data recovery: Attempting to recover your data even if the phone can't be repaired

Same-Day Emergency Service

We understand the urgency of water damage. That's why we offer:

• 24/7 emergency service for water damage cases
• Same-day diagnostics and treatment
• Mobile service - we can come to you
• Locations across Bangalore including Koramangala, Indiranagar, Whitefield, and more

9. Prevention Tips

The best water damage repair is prevention. Here's how to protect your phone:

Waterproof Cases

Invest in a quality waterproof case if you're frequently around water:

• Look for cases with IP68 certification or better
• Test the case with paper towels inside before trusting it with your phone
• Check seals regularly for wear and tear
• Popular brands: Lifeproof, OtterBox, Catalyst

Behavioral Habits

• Keep phone away from sinks, tubs, and pools
• Don't use your phone in the bathroom
• Avoid using phone in rain without protection
• Keep drinks away from electronics
• Use a lanyard or strap near water
• Keep phone in sealed bags at the beach or pool

Regular Backups

While not prevention, regular backups ensure you don't lose data:

• Enable automatic cloud backups (iCloud, Google Drive)
• Backup weekly to a computer
• Use apps that automatically backup photos (Google Photos, Dropbox)
• Keep important documents in cloud storage

10. Insurance and Warranty Coverage

Understanding your coverage options can save you hundreds of dollars:

Manufacturer Warranty

Standard manufacturer warranties typically:

• Do NOT cover water damage, even on water-resistant phones
• Become void if liquid contact indicators show water exposure
• Only cover manufacturing defects, not accidental damage

AppleCare+ and Extended Warranties

These plans may cover water damage:

• AppleCare+: Covers up to 2 incidents of accidental damage (including water) with service fee
• Samsung Care+: Similar coverage with deductible
• Google Preferred Care: Accidental damage protection for Pixel devices

Homeowners/Renters Insurance

Your home insurance might cover phone damage:

• Check if personal property coverage includes electronics
• Consider the deductible vs repair cost
• Claims may affect your insurance rates

Credit Card Protection

Some credit cards offer purchase protection:

• Typically covers purchases for 90-120 days
• May require proof of damage and repair estimate
• Check your card benefits or call the issuer

Third-Party Insurance

Companies like SquareTrade, Asurion, or Worth Ave. Group offer:

• Comprehensive accidental damage coverage
• Monthly premiums typically $8-15
• Deductibles on claims ($50-200)
• Can be purchased after buying the phone