Dropped Your Phone in Water? Follow These Steps Immediately

Your heart sinks as you watch your phone plunge into water. Whether it's the toilet, sink, pool, or Melbourne's unpredictable rain, what you do in the next 60 minutes determines if your phone survives.

As Heidelberg's trusted phone repair specialists, we've recovered hundreds of water-damaged phones. Follow this expert guide to maximize your chances of saving your device.

Immediate Actions (First 60 Seconds)

Step 1: Power Off IMMEDIATELY

Most important step! Water itself rarely damages electronics - it's the short circuits when power flows through wet components that cause permanent damage.

• If phone is on: Power it off NOW (hold power button + volume down for Force Off on most phones)
• If already off: DO NOT turn it on to "test" if it works - this is the #1 mistake we see
• Remove from charger: Unplug immediately if it was charging

Step 2: Remove All Accessories and SIM Card

Quick removals allow better airflow and drainage:

• Case/cover: Remove completely
• SIM card tray: Eject using SIM tool or paperclip (very important - water gets trapped here!)
• Screen protectors: Peel off if possible (water underneath causes screen issues)
• Headphones/cables: Remove all connected accessories

The SIM tray opening is a major water entry point - ejecting it helps drainage significantly.

Step 3: Dry External Surfaces

Use absorbent materials:

• Microfiber cloth: Best option - lint-free and highly absorbent
• Paper towels: Acceptable alternative
• Dry gently: Pat, don't wipe (wiping can push water into ports)
• Shake carefully: Hold phone firmly and shake water out of ports (charging port facing down)

The 24-Hour Recovery Process

Method 1: Silica Gel Packets (BEST Method)

Professional-grade desiccant used by repair shops:

1. Gather 20-30 silica gel packets (from shoe boxes, electronics packaging, or buy from craft stores)
2. Place phone in a sealed container/ziplock bag with packets surrounding it
3. Leave for 24-48 hours
4. Silica gel absorbs moisture more effectively than rice

Why it works: Silica gel can absorb up to 40% of its weight in moisture and draws water from phone internals.

Method 2: Rice (Common But Less Effective)

The famous "rice trick" - it works, but not as well as you'd think:

1. Fill a container or ziplock bag with uncooked rice
2. Bury phone completely in rice
3. Seal container and leave for 24-48 hours

⚠️ Rice limitations:

• Less absorbent than silica gel
• Rice dust can enter ports and cause new problems
• Only works for external moisture, not internal water

Method 3: Gentle Air Circulation (Complementary)

If you have neither silica gel nor rice:

• Place phone near (not on!) a fan for airflow
• Room temperature only - NO heat sources
• Prop phone upright so water can drain from ports
• Leave in a dry, warm room for 48 hours

What NOT to Do (Critical Mistakes to Avoid)

❌ DON'T Use Heat Sources

Common mistakes that make damage worse:

• Hair dryer: Heat damages internal components and screen adhesive
• Oven/microwave: Will destroy phone completely (yes, people try this!)
• Direct sunlight: Overheating causes battery swelling and screen damage
• Radiator/heater: Too hot - can melt internal components

Why heat fails: Water doesn't evaporate uniformly - it migrates deeper into phone internals before evaporating, spreading corrosion.

❌ DON'T Turn It On "Just to Check"

We see this daily - impatient owners power on too soon:

• Water may still be inside even if exterior is dry
• Powering on while wet causes short circuits
• This can fry the logic board (motherboard) - repair cost: $300-$600!
• Wait minimum 48 hours before attempting to power on

❌ DON'T Plug It In to Charge

Charging a wet phone is extremely dangerous:

• Charging port is usually full of water
• Electrical current + water = instant short circuit
• Can permanently damage charging circuit and battery
• Fire/explosion risk if battery short circuits

❌ DON'T Use Compressed Air

Seems logical, but makes things worse:

• High pressure forces water deeper into phone
• Water gets pushed past waterproof seals into logic board
• Can damage delicate internal components (microphones, speakers, camera modules)

Water Resistance vs. Waterproof: Know Your Phone

Understanding IP Ratings

Modern phones are water-resistant, NOT waterproof. Here's what ratings mean:

IP Rating	Water Resistance	Common Phones
IP68	Up to 1.5m depth for 30 minutes	iPhone 15/14/13, Galaxy S24/S23
IP67	Up to 1m depth for 30 minutes	iPhone 12/11, Pixel 7/6
IP53	Splash resistant only	Some budget Androids
None	No water resistance	Older models, budget phones

Important Limitations of Water Resistance:

• Degrades over time: Seals wear out with age and use
• Screen repairs void it: Third-party repairs don't restore water resistance perfectly
• Lab conditions only: Ratings assume fresh water at room temperature - not chlorinated pools, salt water, or hot tubs
• No warranty coverage: Apple and Samsung warranties explicitly exclude water damage
• Pressure matters: Water jets (shower, waves) create more pressure than depth alone

When to Seek Professional Help

Some water damage situations require immediate professional intervention:

🚨 Come to Mobile Armour IMMEDIATELY If:

• Saltwater or pool exposure: Chlorine and salt corrode faster than fresh water - time is critical!
• Hot liquids: Coffee, tea, soup - heat accelerates corrosion
• Phone was on when submerged: Likely already short circuited - needs professional inspection
• Extended submersion: More than 1 minute underwater
• Valuable data not backed up: Professional data recovery may be possible

Professional Water Damage Treatment at Mobile Armour

Our ultrasonic cleaning process:

1. Complete disassembly: We open phone to access all internal components
2. Ultrasonic cleaning: 99.9% isopropyl alcohol bath removes water and mineral deposits
3. Component inspection: Check for corrosion on logic board, connectors, and sensors
4. Micro-soldering repairs: Fix corroded connections if caught early
5. Component replacement: Replace damaged parts (battery, charging port, cameras)
6. Reassembly and testing: Full functionality test before return

Success rates:

• Fresh water, immediate professional treatment: 85% success
• Fresh water, 24hr delay: 60% success
• Saltwater/pool, immediate treatment: 50% success
• Saltwater/pool, 24hr delay: 20% success

These statistics show why professional help ASAP matters for serious water damage.

After 48 Hours: Testing Your Phone

If you've waited 48 hours and used silica gel/rice, it's time to test:

Testing Procedure:

1. Inspect all ports: Look for any visible moisture. Use a flashlight to check charging port and headphone jack.
2. Reinsert SIM card: Make sure SIM tray is completely dry
3. Attempt power on: Hold power button for 10 seconds
4. If it doesn't turn on: Plug into charger for 15 minutes, then try again

If Phone Powers On Successfully:

Don't celebrate yet! Test all functions:

• Touchscreen: Open calculator, test all areas of screen
• Speakers: Play music, test volume buttons
• Microphone: Record voice memo, play back to confirm clarity
• Cameras: Front and rear cameras, check for fog/moisture
• Charging: Plug in cable, confirm it charges normally
• Headphone jack: If applicable, test with headphones
• Buttons: Power, volume, home button (if applicable)
• Face ID/fingerprint: Test biometric sensors
• Cellular signal: Make a test call
• Wi-Fi/Bluetooth: Connect to networks and devices

Warning Signs of Incomplete Drying:

• Screen fog or condensation visible
• Camera lenses foggy
• Muffled speaker or microphone
• Intermittent touchscreen issues
• "Liquid detected in lightning connector" error (iPhone)
• Overheating during normal use

If you see any of these: Power off immediately and bring to Mobile Armour for professional cleaning. Continued use can cause permanent corrosion.

Long-Term Water Damage Effects

Even phones that "survive" water damage can develop issues weeks or months later:

Common Delayed Symptoms:

• Battery degradation: Corrosion affects charging circuit, battery dies faster
• Charging port failure: Corroded pins stop charging after 1-3 months
• Speaker/microphone degradation: Sound quality deteriorates over time
• Touchscreen glitches: Dead spots or phantom touches develop
• Camera issues: Permanent fog, focus problems, or complete failure
• Logic board failure: Corrosion spreads, causing random reboots or complete failure

Prevention: Protecting Your Phone from Water

Practical Protection Strategies:

• Waterproof case: LifeProof, OtterBox, or similar for high-risk environments (beach, pool, boating)
• Ziplock bags: Simple and effective for beach days - phone works through clear plastic
• Dry bags: Floating waterproof pouches for water sports
• Lanyard attachment: Prevents drops into water while fishing, kayaking, etc.
• Bathroom rule: Never bring phone into bathroom (40% of water damage we see is toilet-related!)
• Poolside caution: Keep phones in sealed bags, never on pool deck edge
• Rain awareness: Melbourne weather changes fast - use pockets or bags, not hands

Water Damage Repair Costs (If DIY Doesn't Work)

Service	Cost	Turnaround
Professional cleaning (early intervention)	$89-$129	24 hours
Charging port replacement	$79-$119	1-2 hours
Speaker/microphone replacement	$69-$99	1 hour
Screen replacement (if damaged)	$129-$449	2-3 hours
Logic board micro-soldering repair	$199-$399	2-5 days
Data recovery (if phone won't turn on)	$149-$349	3-7 days

Act Fast - Water Damage Waits for No One

Remember: The first hour after water damage determines your phone's fate. Follow the steps in this guide, avoid the common mistakes, and seek professional help when needed.

If you're in Heidelberg with a water-damaged phone right now:

• 📞 Emergency hotline: 0405-326-205 (call now, we'll advise immediately!)
• 📍 Rush to us: Kiosk 4, Warringal Shopping Centre, 56 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg VIC 3084
• 🕐 Open 7 days: Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM, Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 10AM-4PM
• 💻 For non-emergencies: Book Repair Online

Every minute counts. Don't risk your phone and precious data - let our experts handle it!