DIY Guide to Saving a Water-Damaged Cell Phone

If your phone has become water-damaged don't despair! We have easy tips and tricks to help you get your phone up and running again without having to take it into a repair shop. Learn how to fix your phone from the comfort of your own home.

Administrator

11 August, 2023

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The Consequences of Water Damage on Phones

When a phone is immersed in water, it can lead to serious consequences, such as:

The phone may shut down, fail to turn on, and experience malfunctioning functions.
The phone may experience touch disorders or complete paralysis.
The phone’s performance may become unstable, freezing, becoming smaller, or not functioning properly.
The phone’s camera may become non-functional.
The phone’s screen may become blurry, diffused, or completely black.
There may be connectivity issues with the phone.

Water damage can cause touch screen dysfunction for phones.

The Steps to Save a Water-Damaged Phone

1. Quickly Remove the Phone from the Water

The first step in saving a water-damaged phone is to remove it from the water as quickly as possible. Make sure to lower the phone connectors downwards to let the water drain out. Avoid turning the connectors upwards, as it may cause water to flow into the device and result in circuit touching.

Quickly take the phone out of the water to prevent water from flowing in

2. Turn Off Your Phone Immediately

After removing the phone from the water, immediately turn off the phone to avoid water seeping into the circuit board and causing circuit touching or electrical shorts.

Turn off the phone immediately to prevent the circuit from being touched, disconnected

3. Disassemble the Phone

Next, disassemble the phone by removing components such as the SIM card, memory card, back cover, and battery.

Disassemble the phone to allow water to drain out faster

4. Dry the Exterior of the Phone

Dry the exterior of the phone using a soft cloth. Use a cotton swab to clean the charging port if the water was normal. If the water contained non-water fluids such as soda or saltwater, use a damp cloth to quickly wipe off the phone and then use a clean, soft cloth to wipe it again.

Dry the outside of the phone to remove water that may cause damage to components

5. Dry the Interior of the Phone

Place the phone in a bag of rice or moisture-absorbing bag for 1-2 days to help it dry quickly.
Use a specialized vacuum cleaner for phones and computers to suck out the water from the phone.
Place the phone on a soft cloth or in a windy place to allow it to dry naturally. Avoid direct sunlight for too long, as it can cause overheating and potential damage to the phone.

6. Allow the Phone to Dry Completely

After completing the drying process, wait patiently for 1-2 days before attempting to restart the phone. Restarting the phone too soon may cause further damage.

7. Restart the Phone and Test its Functionality

Once the drying period is over, reassemble the phone and insert the battery (if applicable). Charge the phone for a while and then press the power button to restart the phone. Test its functionality and check if all the connection ports are working properly.

Turn on the power button to restart the phone and test if it functions normally

8. Bring the Phone to a Reputable Warranty and Repair Center

If the phone is heavily water-damaged, it is best to bring it to a reputable warranty and repair center instead of attempting to repair or disassemble it yourself. They will have the expertise and tools needed to safely repair the phone.

Bring the phone to a reputable repair center if it is heavily water-damaged

Things Not to Do When Your Phone is Submerged in Water

1. Use the Phone Continuously Without a Break

Avoid using the phone immediately when it is wet, as this can damage the components and keyboard. Allow the phone to dry completely before using it.

Using a phone continuously before it is fully dry can damage the components and battery

2. Attempting to Disassemble the Phone Yourself

If your phone is still under warranty, avoid disassembling the components yourself as it may void the warranty. Bringing the phone to a service center for inspection and repair is the best course of action.

Avoid independently disassembling components unless you know how to repair them

3. Using a Hair Dryer

Avoid using a hairdryer to dry the phone, as the hot airflow can cause the water to evaporate and spread to other parts of the phone, potentially causing further damage to the circuit board and internal components.

Drying your phone with a hair dryer can damage the circuit board and internal components

4. Freezing the Phone in the Refrigerator

Avoid placing the phone in the freezer, as this will not effectively prevent electrical shorts and may damage the phone’s screen.

Putting the phone in the fridge can damage the phone’s screen

5. Using a Fan or Blowing into the Phone

Using a fan or blowing into the phone may seem like a way to speed up the drying process, but it can actually cause the water to spread to other parts and components of the phone, leading to further damage.

Blowing into the phone can cause water to spread to other parts and components

6. Shaking or Tapping the Phone

Avoid shaking or tapping the phone in an attempt to remove water. This can cause the water to penetrate deeper into the phone and cause further damage.

Shaking the phone can cause water to penetrate deeper and cause more damage

7. Using the Phone Inattentively

When drying the phone, remember to pay attention to all areas, including the charging ports and internal parts. Failure to do so may result in the water getting trapped inside the device and causing damage.

Wipe the connection ports to prevent trapped water from causing damage

8. Charging the Phone Immediately

Avoid charging the phone immediately after it has been submerged in water. This can cause electric shock and is dangerous. Allow the phone to dry completely before plugging in the charger.

Charging the phone immediately can cause electric shock

Check the Warranty

Check the warranty of your phone before attempting any repairs. The warranty may not cover water damage, especially if the LCI (Liquid Contact Indicator) label on the phone has changed its color. The LCI label is used by phone manufacturers to determine water damage and warranty coverage.

Check the LCI label on your phone to determine warranty coverage

In Conclusion

This article has provided instructions on how to save a water-damaged phone. Follow these steps carefully and consider seeking professional help if needed. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.