Cell phone decide it wanted to go swimming? Did it suddenly burst out of your hand and soar towards the toilet? If so, you're not alone.
How to Save a Wet Cell Phone
Step 1: If you can access your battery, remove it
If the battery remains in a wet gadget, you run the risk of it shorting out, which might render it unsalvageable.
Step 2: Dry the outside and inside if possible
Use a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any surface water. One simple and efficient way to get water out of your gadget is to tip the gadget in all directions.
Step 3: Bust out the silica gel or uncooked rice
Silica gel absorbs water from the air and you can find it in those little packets that say “do not eat” when you buy beef jerky or a new pair of shoes. Did you know Best Buy actually sells beef jerky? Now you do.
Take your phone and put it on top of the silica gel packet and place them in a small airtight container. Put another packet on the device, seal it, and leave the container in a cool, dry place overnight.
Rice option: Place your gadget into a pot or container and cover it with uncooked rice. Leave it there overnight in a cool, dry place. Do refrain from cooking the rice and device.
Step 4: Don’t turn it on until it’s completely dry.
Sure, it’s tempting to turn on your wet gadget to see if it works after drying it out after an hour or two, but patience is key here. Turning your gadget on before it is completely dried out could cause more damage to it.
Step 5: Put your hair dryer on ‘cool’
Heat can damage your gadget, but moving air will help. So if you choose to use a hair dryer, put it on the cool setting. If you leave it out in the sun to dry, you run the risk of causing further damage to the gadget.
How to Prevent Water Damage
- The best way to fix a wet phone, it by not getting it wet. Water resistant cases can keep your phone safe even it it decides it wants to spalsh around.
- Use extreme caution when around bodies of water larger than a puddle.
What to do When Your Phone Doesn't Turn Back On
If you've followed the steps outlined above and your phone doesn't turn on still, contact Geek Squad. We can help you with your phone, no matter where you purchased it. We know how important your phone is, and we're here to make sure everything is taken care of.
