What to Do If Your Phone Falls in Water? Quick Fixes

It can be stressful to drop your phone in the water. And, whether your phone falls in a sink, toilet, swimming pool, or gets drenched in the rain, water can wreak havoc on your device. Make sure you act fast, and take the right actions, and you stand a chance.

In this guide, we’ll run through what to do in the crucial moments after your phone has fallen in water, the mistakes you should avoid making and the best methods for both drying out and repairing your device.

Step 1: Get Your Phone Out of the Water

The longer your phone remains submerged, the greater the risk of permanent damage. Immediately when it touches water, do:

✔Get it out ASAP – Time is of the essence. which you’ll want to remove from the water as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

✔ Shut it down = hold power button to turn it off (If the screen is dark already, don’t attempt to wake it.)

✔ Remove accessories – Take off all cases, covers or accessories to let the phone dry properly.

✔ Remove the SIM & Memory Card — If your phone has a removable SIM or microSD card onboard, take it out to avoid short circuits.

💡 Tip: Don’t shake your phone — this can drive the water deeper into internal parts.

Avoid These Typical Mistakes

The problem is that when people panic, they tend to make mistakes that exacerbate the situation. Avoid the following:

❌ Don’t switch it on – This could lead to a short circuit and irreparable damage.

❌ Do not plug it in The risk – charging a wet phone can fry the internal circuits.

❌ STOP PUSHING BUTTONS — Pushing buttons can push water even further down.

❌ Never blow dry it – Hot air or using a hairdryer can damage delicate elements.

❌ Don’t place it in the microwave or an oven – Excessive heat can melt some parts of your phone.

Dry Your Phone Properly

Once you’ve taken your phone out and removed any removable components, it’s time to dry it properly. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Wipe Off Excess Water

✔ Surface moisture will have to be wiped [using a dry lint free cloth, paper towel or microfibre cloth].

✔ Angle the phone so that any water can seep out of charging ports or speaker holes.

Step 2: Vacuum (If Possible)

✔ A compact vacuum can help pull moisture out without pushing water further inside.

✔ Place the vacuum just above the openings of the phone, but do not touch the surface.

Step 3: Use a Drying Agent (Even Better than Rice!)

Most advice says to throw a wet phone in raw rice, but rice is not the right choice. Instead, try:

✔ Silica gel packets (from shoeboxes and electronics packaging) – These absorb moisture quicker than rice.

✔ Cat litter (silica-based) — Same principle as silica gel.

✔ Instant oatmeal — Even more absorbent than rice.

💡 If you must turn to rice, use dry, uncooked rice and leave the phone in a sealed bag for at least 24-48 hours.

How Long Should You Wait?

Drying a wet phone takes time, so be patient. The longer you wait, the better the odds of rescuing it.

✔ Minimum time: 24 hours

✔ Recommended length of stay: 48 hours +

✔ For best results: 72 hours

During this time, resist the temptation to switch it on and see if it’s working.

Test Your Phone After Drying

After your phone’s been drying for at least 48 hours, do this:

✔ Look for water droplets in charging ports or speakers.

✔ Attach the (if removable) battery and attempt to power it on.

✔ If it doesn’t power up, let it charge for a few minutes.

✔ Make sure that all functions work, including the touchscreen, camera, speakers and buttons.

💡 Tip: Check water damage indicators if your phone has them. Most phones have a tiny white sticker in the SIM slot that turns red or pink when it’s wet.

What To Do If Your Phone Doesn’t Work?

If the phone still does not turn on, or the phone is not operating correctly after drying, it may require professional assistance.

The first option: Go Wireless

✔ If your phone doesn’t charge when plugged in, attempt a wireless charger (if your phone supports wireless charging).

✔ Water or damage may have gotten into the charging port.

1 Option 2: Bring It into a Repair Shop

✔ A technician can open the phone and clean out water-damaged parts.

✔ Repair costs vary but tend to be cheaper than the cost of buying a new phone, especially if it is a battery or charging port issue.

Option three: Use a water-damage repair kit

✔ There are water-damage repair kits online that include special drying agents and tools to get into the phone safely.

How to Avoid Water Damage in the Future

When your phone is dry and functional again, take steps to prevent it from being damaged by water in the first place.

✔ Waterproof case — Perfect for the beach, the pool, and rainy days.

✔ Get a water resistant phone – Most of the latest smartphones are IP67 or IP68 water resistant.

✔ Avoid taking your phone into dangerous spots — Stay away near sinks, toilets and drinks.

✔ Use a dry bag — a plastic zip-lock bag can shield your phone, too, on outdoor activities.

💡 Tip: Water-resistant phones are not waterproof! Keep them from being submerged when possible.

Final Thoughts

It can be pretty alarming the moment your phone slips out of your hand and into a pool of water, but if you take action fast and follow the correct procedures, it might yet be saved.