As the weather warms, there’s more time spent by the pool, on the boat, and around water. There’s also a greater chance that your phone or electronic device could take a plunge. Water and phones almost never mix. While some phones now claim water resistance, most shouldn’t be totally submerged in more than 5 feet of water. Few people plan for their phones to take a dip though. So what should you do if it happens?
Here are a few tips from our experts:
1. Turn it off!
If your device in turned on when it gets wet, it’s more susceptible to damage. If you’re phone is off when it’s submerged, do NOT turn it back on immediately. This can cause your device to short circuit, which can lead to hardware damage and data loss. Dry your device before trying to restore power. If your device was on when it got wet, however, it’s worth the risk to turn it off. Leave it off until you’ve exhausted efforts to dry your device.
2. Dry the Outside of your Phone.
Do your best to dry the surface of the device. Gently shake your phone to remove water and moisture. Use a towel to dry the screen, keyboard, and ports. If your phone was protected by a case, remove it to prevent the risk of trapped moisture.
3. Dry the Inside of your Phone.
A quick trip to the Internet will result in all sorts of recommendations for how to best dry your phone. Some of these suggestions are problematic. Using a hair dryer, an oven, or the microwave can cause more damage to your phone than the original water itself. In general, avoid any form of heat near a wet, electronic device.
Rice and silica gel packets are both safe options to try in your quest to dry your phone. Submerge your device in either of these items. Gel packets can be purchased at most craft stores. These silica gel packets are often more effective than rice. Devices should be left to dry in either rice or gel packets for at least 48 hours. Two days without your phone can be painful but it could save your data and prevent the need for a new device.
4. It’s not just water.
You can always invest in a water-resistant or water-proof case to protect your phone from future water damage. Water, however, is far from the only summer-time risk for your device. Devices can also overheat from direct sun rays. In just a few minutes of direct sun contact, the internal temperature of phones can rise above 150 degrees, causing irreversible damage to internal components. Keep your phone dry and out of direct sunlight. Don’t use the sun’s rays to dry a wet phone.
If your phone still won’t turn on after DIY attempts to dry it, we can help. We know that the loss of a phone usually means the loss of a significant amount of personal data. Let our team of experts take a look at your device for a free, no-risk quote for data recovery.
