Did you drop your cell phone in the water? No need to panic: With these first aid tips, you can save a wet smartphone. And: Does rice help?
Many people don’t put their smartphones down when they go to the toilet. However, this is not only unhygienic but can also cause a scare if the phone has fallen into the water in the toilet or sink. If this happens, you should act quickly to save your smartphone from severe water damage. To protect your phone, you can enjoy Slotsgem all the time.
Cell phone dropped in water: The first steps.
If you have dropped your smartphone in water, these first steps are crucial to dry the device safely:
Necessary: Get your phone out of the water as quickly as possible so the liquid cannot spread further.
If the phone gets wet while plugged in – do not touch it! Before disconnecting the cell phone from the power source, flip the safety switch to break the circuit.
If your cell phone is still switched on, turn it off.
Now, carefully open the cover on the back.
Remove the battery, memory card, and SIM card, and place everything on a dry cloth.
Take another cloth and carefully dry the back of the cell phone with it.
Now inspect all parts: If you can make out a white, chalky film on metallic surfaces, the parts inside are probably corroded.
Even if the Hessen consumer window and several other internet sources still recommend it, Rice, although hygroscopic (absorbing moisture from the environment), is not suitable for drying a wet smartphone.
Instead, experts recommend using at least 90% isopropyl alcohol, a water-soluble, high-proof alcohol often used as a cleaner, degreaser, or disinfectant. You can buy it in pharmacies, for example. Ideally, you should stock up on alcohol as a precaution because if you have to get it after the phone has fallen into the water, it could be too late.
Immerse the corroded parts in the alcohol and then scrub them off. This will remove the corrosion. The alcohol will then evaporate without leaving any residue. However, make sure that the alcohol never comes into contact with the display or camera of your cell phone.
If you don’t have enough time for this process, the experts recommend leaving the phone open and disassembling it into as many parts as possible to air dry.
Important: If you use isopropyl alcohol, you should only work with gloves and protective goggles.
No sign of life? A new battery is needed.
If your cell phone has gotten wet, you should remove and dry the battery. Is your cell phone still not working after the first drying? Then your battery probably didn’t survive the fall into the water, and you will need to replace it. As batteries are now permanently installed in cell phones as standard, a battery replacement must often be carried out professionally.
Check with different providers to find the best offer for you. A replacement cell phone is always cheaper than a new one, and you save valuable resources if you don’t throw your cell phone away immediately.
Tip: Some manufacturers do not use permanently installed parts to increase the repairability of the phone. So, if you need a new smartphone, consider one’s modular design.
What you should NOT do if your phone has fallen into the water
Please be careful when drying your phone and avoid exposure to heat, for example. Even if it is understandable that you panic briefly when your cell phone has fallen into the water – do not follow all impulses! These can be dangerous for you or cause further damage to your phone:
Never turn on your wet cell phone or plug it into the charging cable: there is a risk of a short circuit!
Do not press wildly on the buttons. This will only get more water into your smartphone.
Don’t try to speed up the drying process. So keep your hands off the hairdryer! You shouldn’t put your phone on the radiator either. This is because the heat can damage the battery and other components.
It’s logical, but to be safe, you should never dry your cell phone in the microwave. The device can quickly catch fire there.
Expert help as a last resort
If you drop your cell phone in water, you can often save it with a few tricks. With our tips, you can usually prevent the worst damage to your cell phone. If nothing helps, you should contact the manufacturer. A cell phone repair shop can also often save your old cell phone.
Is all help too late, and you need a new smartphone? In this article, we show you how to buy a good used cell phone with little money and clear conscience.
