Mistakes happen, especially with smartphones.
Whether you’re dropping it on the floor, in the toilet, or in a puddle, there’s
no shame in making this mistake. Granted, when this does occur, you need to act
fast. Any water in, on, or around your device isn’t recommended, but let’s talk
about what happens when you’re thrown into a worst-case scenario.
One thing to keep in mind is that many
manufacturers are making devices that are, at the very least, water resistant.
These devices are given an International Protection (IP) score, which is based
on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This rating is given to
any consumer device, and it designates how much protection a consumer can
expect from it. For example, a device classified as IP67 is resistant to dust
and can be submerged in water no more than one meter deep for up to half an
hour. The only difference between this and an IP68 device is that the IP68
guarantees protection in 1.5 meters of water for up to half an hour.
Of course, you didn’t come here to learn about
the semantics related to device protection classification--you want to know
what to do if your device falls in water. Here are some decent catch-all steps
you can take to potentially save your device.
- Turn Off Your Device: Be
sure to turn off your device as soon as possible. Don’t try to plug it in
or shake it. Don’t blow in it or use a blow dryer to try to save it. Just
follow the steps below and don’t stray from them. - Remove your SIM card and any other expandable
storage. - Remove the battery if possible: Some phones don’t have the removable battery, so if it doesn’t,
don’t just pry it open. Have a professional do it for you. You can always
check out YouTube for tutorials as well. - Use an absorbent rag to dab your phone dry: Try not to wipe it around, as this could spread the liquid too
much. - Place the phone in a plastic bag filled with
uncooked rice: The rice will absorb the liquid. - Let your phone dry for a day or two before trying to
turn it on. - Turn it on: If this doesn’t
work, try charging it. If the device doesn’t charge, the battery could be
damaged. You will want to work with a professional to do this, if you
haven’t already done so. - If it seems to work right, make sure everything
does: Make sure you test the screen for
responsiveness, as well as the speakers and microphone.
By following these eight steps, you’ll maximize
your chances of getting away from a phone-meets-liquid incident unscathed. If
you found this blog helpful, be sure to share it with anyone else who might
benefit from it.