Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives — a lot of personal and ever work-related information is saved. And, it’s scary to even think of dropping your phone into the water.
Even though almost all the modern phones have some kind of water resistance but only if you quickly take the phone out after falling into the water. They are built in such a way that they withstand being dipped in the water only for a limited time and depth.
For example, if you accidentally dropped your phone into the bathtub full of water and took it out ASAP, then chances are it’s not going to be damaged. Yes, the speakers would sound muffled at first, but it will be okay with time.
Here are some things that you can do after you have accidentally dropped your phone in water:
Things to do after taking your cell phone out from the water
After you get out the phone, it’s time to figure out whether you need to send it for repairs, or it’s not at all damaged. Here are some tips for that:
1. Turn off your phone
Just after you take out your phone from the water, it’s an important step to immediately turn off your phone to avoid any further damage. Because if the water has reached the electronic circuit inside then there might be the chances of short-circuiting and you may end up bricking your device.
Some phones automatically turn off if they are submerged in the water for very long, but do not turn it unless you follow all the steps below.
2. Use a cloth
After you turn off your phone, take a damp cloth and wipe off all the water that’s on the surface of the phone. It’s better to use a lint-free soft cloth for wiping the phone.
After wiping it once, change the cloth and wipe it again with another dry piece of cloth.
3. Remove removable parts
After wiping out the phone, first, take out the phone’s case and wipe the phone again. Otherwise, there will be water trapped between the phone and the case.
Now, it’s time to remove other removable parts like SIM, memory, and battery (if possible).
4. Let the phone dry
Either your phone got switched off by itself or you switched it off after taking it out of the water, do not try to turn it on. Most probably, your phone’s internal components would still be wet, and turning it on will further damage it.
It’s better to leave your phone and components in an absorbent towel and leave it in a cool and dry place for a day, at least.
5. Turn it on
Now, it’s time to turn your phone back on and find out if it works or needs to be sent to a cell phone repair shop.
Turn on the phone and if it works properly as it should, congratulations, you do not need to take it to the repairperson for repairs. You certainly got lucky.
But, if it won’t turn on or some functions don’t work properly, sadly, you will have to take it to a cell phone repair shop nearby. Do not try to fix it by yourself to avoid any more damages and seek out professional help.
6. See what’s the problem
Even if the phone is turned on, it’s good to check everything like the speaker, charging, camera, volume buttons to see if only some parts have got damaged.
You might notice problems like muffled or blasting sounds from the speakers or the camera not turning on. But if everything works, awesome.
7. Time to visit a repair shop
In case, your phone won’t turn on or some functions are not working properly, it’s time for you to locate a good cell phone repair store nearby and seek professional help.
Also, do not forget to follow these steps before taking the phone to the repair shop.
Most of the shops offer a free liquid damage diagnostic check, however, some take a small fee. Also, it’s a smart practice to check the store’s online reviews to make sure you can trust them.
Wrapping it up
Phones can fall. You’re not a robot that doesn’t make mistakes. It’s a very common occurrence and probably won’t cost you much to fix a water-damaged phone.
We, at XG Cell Phone Repair, offer a free liquid damage diagnostic check and you’ll probably get your phone back in an hour. You can visit our store in Katy, Texas to avail our affordable and fast cell phone repair services.