What to do if your phone becomes
water damaged
Phones are like
Gremlins – never get them wet. There’s nothing like that feeling
of dread when you hear that splash – and then desperately pat
around for your phone. But is there anything you can do to save your
poor device, which was ‘safely’ stashed in your back pocket for
that loo trip? Read our post to discover if submerging said phone in
a bowl of dry rice actually helps or hinders.
How does water damage mobile phones?
Water and electricity do not mix, so a
soggy device could give you an electric shock. Damage can be caused
to the screen slots, jacks and in the battery holder.
Nothing can guarantee that your mobile
will actually survive its dunk – no matter how long it was in the
water. These days, dropping a phone in water is as common as a broken
screen. Even if you just leave your
phone balancing on the window ledge while you take a shower, chances
are the steam from the shower will condense against the cold interior
of the phone, allowing the moisture to seep into all the buttons.
But don’t worry, there is action you
can take to try to remedy the damage that’s been done.
What do I do
if my phone becomes water damaged?
The thing you must do is act quickly!
First of all, turn off the phone. The best thing to remember is not
to charge or turn your phone on for at least 24 hours.
You next need to disassemble whatever
parts you can. Obviously, this is trickier with an iPhone than with
other models, but there are still a few modern phones where you may
be able to remove battery packs. If it is possible, retrieve the SIM
card.
Next use a towel to blot the phone as
quickly as possible. Here are a few things you can try next to
restore your phone’s health:
Hairdryer
You could then use a hairdryer on a
very low heat – far enough away that it won’t burn you –
focusing on card slots and jacks. Be careful not to warm the touch
screen too much.
A bowl of rice
Whether leaving your mobile in a bowl
of uncooked rice is a good idea, is debatable. In any event, it
should be seen as a last-ditch solution to soak up any excess
moisture but it must be left submerged overnight and in a sealed
plastic bag to take any effect. The water may already have fused the
phone’s circuits or left traces of minerals that destroy the
electronics. Fragments of rice can also get stuck in the headphone
socket, so be aware of that when using this method.
Silica gel
If you’re a fanatic for buying new
handbags or purse, then you may have a few bags of silica gel hanging
around. You can try packing your phone with the bags and leaving
overnight.
How do I
restore my phone after water damage?
Sometimes, your phone can escape water
damage and you can continue using the device as normal. If you were
quick to retrieve the phone from the water, switch it off and dry it
up using the steps above, you may not need to restore it.
If an iPhone is returned to factory
defaults and has lost its data, you can restore the phone from
previous backups via iTunes or iCloud. If you have an Android phone,
you could also try Android Data Recovery – Samsung software which
allows you to directly scan an Android device whether the device is
damaged or dead.
Tips for keeping phones safe from
water damage
Keeping your phone in a place where it
is least likely to incur water damage is obviously the best option.
Make sure you have mobile
phone insurance to cover you in the event of damage.
*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.
