How To Bring Your Wet Phone Back To Life

As important as water is to all, it is an enemy to most electronic gadgets such as phones. The expensive cost of a phone doesn't stop it from being damaged by drops of water, a pool of water, or even in few cases, body sweat. However, with the various outdoor activities, one participates in, keeping your phone from water contact could be a huge task.

Our phones contain important information such as memories, music, movies, and more, hence, the need to give maximum care to your phone is hugely imperative.

Gladly, if you are experiencing this challenge, help is here. Therefore, in the eventuality of your phone coming in contact with water, the good news is that you can bring your phone back to life by properly following these important steps.

When your phone falls in water, what happens?

Let's firstly let you understand what goes on with your phone after it comes in contact with water. As soon as the water drops into the phone, it flows into a phone’s kryptonite, after which, it works its way into the ports, jacks, and speakers. Thereafter, it flows into the circuits.

The water, which acts as a conductor, would carry a current which then overloads on the phone with energy. This ends up frying and damaging the circuit board.

However, during the moment of panic, certain steps we take worsen the situation. These actions make the water sit or spread in the phone which leads to corrosion of its circuits, coils, and resistors due to the minerals inherent in the water.

In some cases, the damage is not immediately visible as it might take longer for the water to reach vulnerable components. However, after a while, sometimes by the following day, the phone might not be able to turn on.

Also note, that the type of water your phone falls into matters. When your phone drops into freshwater, the damage on the device could still be slow, giving you enough time for you to repair. However, when it falls inside salty water, it makes the damage to the phone much quicker than freshwater as the saltwater is highly corrosive and will damage a phone’s components much faster.

What NOT to do when your phone falls in water

Below is a list of the things NOT to do when your smartphone falls in the water:

1. Avoid drying the phone using the microwave, as this is very dangerous and can start a fire.
2. Don’t turn it on or press any buttons or keys.
3. Don’t put the phone in the freezer because once you remove it, the ice melts and you are back to square one.
4. Do not take the phone apart, this could void your warranty.
5. Do not shake, tap, or bang the phone: This is a Nigerian thing. When things don’t work, we tend to bang or shake it. But doing this can cause further damages to the phone.
6. Do not use a blow or hair drier as the heat from it could cause further damage.
7. Do not blow it. This could send water into other internal parts of the phone not yet reached, causing more damage in the process
8. Do not use anointing oil as using it can cause further damage. Most Nigerians are spiritual, but if you believe God can bring the phone back to life, then just pray but don’t use anointing oil.
9. Don’t put it in a bag of rice. Experiments have shown that rice treatment doesn't work that great as they can pull some water out, but usually not fast enough to counteract the corrosion that comes with water damage.

READ MORE: LG Launches Q52 Phone Model

Immediate steps to take when your Smartphone drops in water:

Now, what should you do when your smartphone falls into water? 

Step 1: Quickly remove the phone from the water because the longer it remains there, the more the water or liquid will sieve through the cracks and openings.

Step 2: Remove your sim card and memory card.

Step 3: Remove the battery. However, if your phone makes use of an inbuilt battery, the best step you should take is to take the phone to a repair shop before attempting to take it apart.

Step 4: Use a clean cloth or towel to dry the phone. Make sure the cloth isn't damp at all, to avoid spreading the liquid around.

If the water damage is extensive then consider using a vacuum, silica gel packs, or phone drying pouch to dry the phone.

Wait between 24-48 hours before you turn the phone back on

After following the above steps, you need to wait for 24-48 hours before the moisture in the phone completely dries out. Do not attempt to switch it on during this period, not even to see if it works.

After two to four days of allowing the phone to dry, try turning the phone on. If the phone doesn’t turn on, try charging it. If it still doesn’t work, consider taking it to a repair shop to be checked by a professional.

However, if the phone works as it should, still be vigilant and keep an eye on it for the next few days. Play some music to check the speakers and ensure that the screen touch still responds as it should.