Everyone knows smart phones and moisture don’t mix. Yet, when your phone goes everywhere you do, it is bound to get wet eventually. A small spill on your phone or a little rain is usually not a problem; just wipe it off quickly and in most cases, no damage is done. However, if your smartphone takes a dunk in the toilet or lands in the pool, you may not be so lucky. Acting fast can save your phone from permanent damage. Here are some wet smartphone basics to help minimize damage if your phone gets soaked.

• Dry off the exterior. First and foremost, turn off the phone and wipe away all moisture from the outside of the phone. If the phone is well-sealed, this can prevent damage in some cases. Make sure to dry all ports as much as possible and leave out plugs to allow drying.
• Take apart your phone. Open the case and take out removable parts such as the battery, memory card and SIM card. Wipe all components dry with a soft, absorbent cloth or paper towel.
• Suction, not forced air, is best. If you want to try and remove water, do not use a hair dryer or forced air; it can force water further inside. A vacuum can be used, but do not put the hose too close to the phone.
• Let the phone dry. Leaving the phone and components to air dry on an absorbent cloth for several hours or overnight can remove water. Another option is to put the phone in dry white rice that can pull water out and absorb it.
• Try to turn on phone. Wait at least 24 hours; if all the components feel and look dry, assemble and try to turn on your phone; if it doesn’t turn on, try charging the battery.

If your phone doesn’t turn on or has functional issues after completing all these steps, all is not necessarily lost. Bring it to a local cell phone repair shop. Often, they can fix water damage, especially if you have removed as much water as possible first.

Posted on behalf of Cellairis