You’ve probably heard funny stories about getting cell phones wet. Toddlers throw iPhones in the toilet or your new Samsung Galaxy went swimming. It’s not so funny when it’s your own phone though – more a Shakespearean tragedy than a comedy. If your phone gets wet there are things you can try to dry a wet phone before buying a new one (perhaps one that’s waterproof this time).
Beware Electricity And Water
There are do’s and don’ts if you need to dry a wet phone. The number one thing to remember is that water and electricity never mix. Even if your phone seems to be totally dead, you can’t be sure and may, literally, be in for a shock if you’re not cautious.
What Not to Do With a Wet Phone
Don’t turn it on and off. This is the famous fix for malfunctioning computers, but not for phones that have got wet. Powering it on and off can force the water deeper into the circuitry and make things worse.
Don’t disassemble the whole phone to dry the individual elements. If you have a warranty then this will void it, and putting all those tiny little bits together again can be a real headache. If the warranty isn’t an issue and you’re determined to try, wear rubber gloves as a safety precaution.
Don’t use heat to dry a wet phone. It will just turn the water into steam, which will make the problem worse.
Don’t put your cell phone in the freezer. Maybe you’d never thought of this anyway, but it is a solution for drying a wet phone that you’ll find posted on the internet – perhaps by people who want to sell you a new one. Ice can cause severe damage, a bit like the potholes ice can make on roads in winter.
How to Dry a Wet Phone
Use a towel or soft cloth to dry it off as soon as possible. Don’t shake it, to avoid driving water further into the phone’s circuitry.
Remove the battery and SIM card carefully to avoid a short circuit, perhaps wearing rubber gloves to avoid getting shocked.
Use a desiccant material to absorb the water from your wet phone. A home remedy that can work involves putting an absorbent material in a sealed container or plastic bag with your phone. Dry rice works well. Even better are those little packets of silicon gel that you sometimes get with shoes and other goods, although most people just throw them away or don’t have enough of them. Cover the phone in your desiccant and give it 24 hours to soak up the moisture.
Do you have any do’s and don’ts for drying wet phones? Do you have any hilarious stories about how your phone ended up going down the river? Share your stories and experiences with us in the comments!