February 16, 2023, 12:46 pm | Read time: 7 minutes

Water damage is one of the most common smartphone killers. A small lapse in attention is often enough, and the glass or coffee cup is knocked over. Then the phone and its sensitive technology are exposed to water or other harmful liquids. Surprisingly often, the smartphone also ends up in the toilet bowl. More than ten percent of Germans have had to say goodbye to their phone because it fell into the toilet. Common consequences of such water damage include a flickering screen or lines on the display–if the smartphone doesn’t completely stop working.

Once the proverbial horse has bolted, good advice is expensive. Repairs for water damage to a phone can be costly and are not covered by warranty. iPhone owners, in particular, can probably sing a song about this, as Apple’s repair service is not known for its low prices. You can read more about this topic below. However, you can minimize the damage and potentially avoid costs for repairs, replacement parts, or a brand-new device. It is especially important to react quickly when the smartphone comes into contact with water. Here is our step-by-step guide to providing first aid in an emergency.

Smartphone fallen into water? 4 Immediate Actions

If your phone or smartphone has fallen into water, the first step is, of course, to immediately remove it from the water. In such a situation, it’s important to keep the following points in mind.

Step 1: Disconnect power supply

If the smartphone is still connected to a charger when it comes into contact with water, disconnect it from the power source immediately. This will primarily protect the battery from short-circuit damage. If you notice smoke, signs of heat deformation, or other changes to your smartphone after unplugging it, do not touch it.

Step 2: Turn off the phone

Once the smartphone is no longer in contact with the liquid, you should turn it off. Some smartphones–especially newer generations–have a built-in protection circuit. These devices automatically shut down when water enters the casing. In this case, do not turn your phone back on, as the battery could be damaged. If the smartphone is in a case, you should also carefully remove it to prevent further damage.

Step 3: Gently dry the smartphone

Never shake a smartphone that may have water inside. The moisture could penetrate further into the device’s interior due to the vigorous movement. This might work well for older smartphones with removable batteries to some extent, but it’s more challenging with newer models.

Be sure to dry the individual parts with a soft cloth. Thicker paper towels can also be suitable. However, avoid using thin toilet paper for drying, as the damp material may stick to the phone.

Note: This does not explicitly apply to iPhones or similar devices! You can find more information about this below.

Step 4: Try desiccants like silica gel or rice

Once you’ve removed the surface moisture from the smartphone, place it in desiccants for several hours to absorb the remaining water. A tried-and-true home remedy is rice, but it must be stored in an airtight container. Rice absorbs moisture well, but not salt. This should be taken into account depending on the type of liquid your phone was exposed to. Proceed as follows: Fill an airtight plastic bag with the desiccant and then submerge your smartphone in the bag so that it is completely covered by the desiccant. Let the device dry this way for several days.

Also interesting: How to protect your smartphone from water damage

Total Water Damage vs. Splashes

When dealing with water damage, it’s generally distinguished by the duration and intensity of the smartphone’s contact with water. The aforementioned procedure should be used especially if your device is completely submerged. In such cases, it’s usually enough to turn off the device for a few hours and place it upright on an absorbent surface so the liquid can drain out as much as possible. However, even in this case, you should turn it off as a precaution.

Also read: What does IP67 and IP68 mean for waterproof smartphones?

Measures to Avoid

Of course, there are some things you should absolutely avoid, no matter how long your smartphone has been in contact with water.

• Do not reconnect the device to a power source.
• Avoid heat! While the goal is to remove moisture as quickly as possible, heat damages the electronics more than it helps dry the device. So, keep your hands off hairdryers, ovens, heaters, and microwaves when dealing with water damage to your smartphone.
• Keep vacuum cleaners away from your device. They cannot effectively remove liquid from the casing and are more likely to damage the electronics than help.

Also interesting: The best outdoor smartphones

Special Case – iPhone with Water Damage

If you own an iPhone, you can ignore much of this article – most of the previously mentioned rescue measures do not apply to you. iPhones from the iPhone 7 onwards, especially the latest models, are somewhat water-resistant. However, even an iPhone usually cannot withstand prolonged submersion in the sea or pool. Many manufacturers do not cover damage from moisture. Apple even explicitly states on its homepage that water damage is excluded from the warranty – even additional insurance won’t help there. However, iPhones from the iPhone 5 onwards have an internal liquid contact indicator that shows if it has come into contact with liquid. This allows you to check if moisture has entered the interior of your iPhone during submersion. If this is the case, unfortunately, damage often occurs even after some time.

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Smartphone Warranty Does Not Cover Water Damage

Not only does Apple deny warranty coverage for contact with liquid. Samsung, for example, states that they do not cover damage from liquid contact. Why, then, can manufacturers still label their devices with the IP67 and IP68 ratings, which supposedly protect against water ingress? The simple reason is that these certifications only apply to completely clear fresh water, not to salty sea or other types of water.

Avoiding Water Damage to Your Smartphone

The easiest way, of course, is to avoid water damage in the first place, if possible. This saves you from having to turn off your phone, dry it out, and potentially make an unavoidable trip to the repair service. Many newer models from all manufacturers are now quite resilient. They can withstand a lot, including rain. However, a waterproof case is the best protection for your smartphone against water, dust, and dirt, thanks to its special material and various closure mechanisms.

Incidentally, damage can still occur even after some time. Often, smartphones continue to function without problems for months despite water damage, leading the owner to feel secure. However, water can corrode contacts inside the device, causing defects to appear even after a long time.