No matter how careful we are with our treasured devices, there are some things we cannot control. Accidents can happen when we least expect them, such as dropping our phones in the pool, tub, or even the toilet. Those are probably the worse and scariest places you can drop your phone.
But if it does happen to you, first things first, don’t panic! Many modern phones are manufactured to withstand being submerged in water for a certain period. You can still save your phone as long as you act immediately. Here’s what you have to do.
Power off your device.
If you drop your phone in water, retrieve it quickly and turn the power off. That way, you’re preventing electrical charges from running through wet electrical circuits. If you can remove the battery, take it out and dry it as well.
Sanitize your phone.
Once you’ve turned off your device, wipe it dry and then sanitize it. It may seem odd, but the most common (and most disgusting) place your phone can end up in is the toilet. So you’re going to have to disinfect your device.
Use disinfecting wipes or a microfiber cloth half-soaked in an alcohol-based cleaner. Avoid using detergent or harsh cleaning agents as they can cause further damage.
Put the device in a bowl full of rice grains.
After you’ve disinfected your phone, there may still be some water inside. A clever hack you can try to get rid of it is to submerge your phone in rice. Fill a lidded container with rice grains and bury your device. Make sure that all parts are completely submerged. Carry the container to a well-lit area, preferably under the sun.
This method has been tried and tested for years, and many have found it effective. The dry rice grains will effectively absorb any water particles or moisture in the device. And they may need the heat of the sun to speed up the process.
But there’s a catch. You can’t take your phone out for at least 24 hours or more, depending on how warm the environment is. The process can even take up to four days. So you might want to find another way to access your social media sites or call your loved ones.
Turn the device back on.
After the whole rice process, all the water should have been absorbed, and your phone should be working as usual. Try turning it on and see if everything is functioning as it should. If not, you might have to take it to a cellphone repair shop.
Be careful next time.
Whether your phone started working again or you needed to get a new one, you’re sure to be careful next time, right? As much as possible, avoid taking your electronic devices with you to high-risk areas like the bathroom, pool, or beach. Now that you know how scary it is to submerge your phone in water, you’re bound to practice more care in the future.
Dropping your phone in water may seem like the end of the life of your device. But there are still things you can do to save it. Take these tips and try to revive your wet phone.