Table of Contents
Toggle1. Remove Your Phone from the Water Immediately
The first few seconds are critical.
As soon as your phone gets wet:
- Remove it from the water immediately.
- Turn it off if it’s still powered on.
- Avoid pressing unnecessary buttons.
- Remove any case or cover.
The longer the phone stays submerged, the more likely water will reach sensitive internal components.
2. Switch It Off
If your phone is still on, power it down immediately.
Electricity and water do not mix. Keeping the phone powered on can cause short circuits that permanently damage the motherboard.
If the phone has already turned itself off, do not try to switch it back on.
3. Remove SIM Card and Accessories
Take out:
- SIM card
- Memory card (if applicable)
- Charging cable
- Earphones
- Any external accessories
This allows trapped moisture to escape and helps protect your data.
4. Dry the Outside Carefully
Use a clean, lint-free cloth or paper towel to gently dry the exterior.
Pay attention to:
- Charging port
- Speakers
- Microphone
- Camera lenses
- SIM tray
Do not shake the phone vigorously, as this can push water further inside.
5. Do NOT Charge the Phone
This is one of the biggest mistakes people make.
Never connect a wet phone to a charger.
Charging a water-damaged phone can:
- Cause electrical shorts
- Damage the charging circuit
- Permanently destroy internal components
- Create safety risks
Wait until the phone has been professionally inspected or is completely dry.
6. Avoid These Common Myths
Many internet tips can actually make the damage worse.
Avoid:
Putting your phone in rice
Rice does not remove moisture trapped inside the phone and may leave dust inside charging ports.
Using a hair dryer
Heat can damage screens, batteries, adhesives, and internal parts.
Placing the phone in an oven or microwave
This can permanently destroy the device and is extremely dangerous.
Pressing buttons repeatedly
Doing so may push moisture deeper into the phone.
7. Let the Phone Dry Naturally
Place the phone in a dry, well-ventilated area.
Position it so any remaining water can drain naturally.
Although drying helps, it does not remove minerals or contaminants left behind by water, which can continue causing corrosion over time.
8. Get Professional Water Damage Cleaning
Even if your phone appears to work after drying, hidden corrosion may continue developing.
Professional technicians use specialised equipment to:
- Open the device safely
- Disconnect the battery
- Inspect for corrosion
- Clean internal components
- Test every function
- Replace damaged parts if necessary
Early professional cleaning often prevents much more expensive repairs later.
9. Signs of Water Damage
Your phone may require repair if you notice:
- Phone won’t turn on
- Charging problems
- Battery draining quickly
- Overheating
- Touchscreen not responding
- No sound
- Distorted speakers
- Camera fogging
- Face ID or fingerprint sensor failure
- Random restarting
- Network signal issues
Sometimes these symptoms appear days or even weeks after the phone gets wet.
10. Can Water-Damaged Phones Be Repaired?
In many cases—yes.
Successful repair depends on:
- How quickly the phone was removed from the water
- Whether it was powered on afterwards
- The type of liquid involved (clean water, saltwater, sugary drinks, etc.)
- How soon professional cleaning is carried out
The earlier you act, the higher the chance of saving your phone.
Prevent Future Water Damage
You can reduce the risk by:
- Using a waterproof phone case
- Keeping drinks away from electronics
- Avoiding charging in damp environments
- Backing up your data regularly
- Never assuming water-resistant phones are fully waterproof
Need Help with Water-Damaged Phone Repairs?
At A-Z Phones Southampton, we specialise in professional phone repairs, including water damage diagnostics for iPhones, Samsung, Google Pixel, Huawei, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and many other brands.
Our experienced technicians will inspect your device, clean internal components, and provide honest advice on the most cost-effective repair options.
Whether your phone has been dropped in water, exposed to rain, or suffered liquid damage, we’re here to help get it back up and running as quickly as possible.
Don’t wait—the sooner a water-damaged phone is assessed, the better the chance of a successful repair.
