How can I fix my water damaged screen

How to fix a water damaged phone

The world suddenly freezes when you see your phone dunked in water. Whether its in a pool, the sea, or a toilet, you know nothing good will come out of the next few seconds. After all, thats a high-tech device worth a significant amount of cash, and chances are it will be deemed unusable. Not to mention, all your important files might be gone! You may want to learn how to fix a water-damaged phone.

Lets start by saying trying to rescue a water-damaged phone is a bit of a coin flip. Nothing can guarantee a positive outcome, but its always worth trying. Our upcoming tips may give you a higher chance of success.

QUICK ANSWER

The best way to fix a water damaged phone is to turn it off, disassemble it as much as possible, and let it air dry for a day or two. You can also use silica gel packets to try removing all the moisture from the phone. Try turning the phone back on when it's completely dry. Also, check if it shows any signs of life by plugging it in.

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

Step 0: Be proactive and protect your phone

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Water damage repair might be unnecessary if you take some precautions. You may want a waterproof phone with a good IP rating to ensure it will survive a dip. These are becoming very common. If your phone cant handle liquids and you know youll be putting it in danger at your next beach retreat, buying something like a waterproof phone pouch might be worth it.

Additionally, its always nice to consider getting phone insurance, whether from your carrier, the retailer you bought the phone from, or a third party. Just make sure to read the fine print to ensure the insurance policy covers accidental and water damage.

Step 1: Please turn off your phone ASAP!

Eric Zeman / Android Authority

I know its hard to react quickly after such a devastating event, but you must snap out of it! The longer your device stays underwater, the lower its chances of survival are. You must dig in and take that phone out of the water immediately. Yes even if its in the toilet!

Once the phone is out of the water, make sure its off and it stays that way. Even if it seems okay it is important to shut it off just in case. Those who still have a removable battery should take it off. Turning off the device ensures that water doesnt reach and damage important phone parts while electronics are active. Water reaching operating components is more likely to cause permanent damage. And it might not happen right away, so turn it off.

Step 1.5: What not to do after you dropped a phone in water

The following actions can mean the difference between a totaled phone and a survival story. You better be careful what you do. Before we jump into water damage repair, lets try to prevent major failures you could cause.

• Do not turn on the phone, as we already mentioned. Electrical components dont play well with water when operating.
• Dont plug it in, either. For the same reason.
• Avoid pressing any keys. This can push water further into the phone, or open space for water to go deeper into the devices internals. Its best to mess with the phone as little as possible.
• Dont poke or blow into the device. This may also push water into deeper areas of the phone. Especially try to avoid blow driers not only because of the blowing part, but also because of the following point.
• Do not apply any heat to the phone. Remember, excessive heat can also damage the phone.
• Keep the phone as still as possible. Its the same deal; you dont want the water moving around inside the phone.
• Dont put it in rice! We will talk about this later, but rice has starch and particles, which can get into the device.

Step 2: Disassemble the water damaged phone

Rita El Khoury / Android Authority

Dont mistake this step with take the whole darn phone apart! What we mean is that you should remove everything that is user-removable. If your back cover is removable, take it off. Similarly, try to remove the battery (if you can), SIM card, and SD card. Lay it all out on a paper towel. Most phones have no removable backs nowadays (but there are still some!), but do what you can.

Now, if you are an experienced tech specialist, know a phones ins and outs, and dont mind voiding your warranty, you can go ahead and take the whole phone apart, too. It might help with drying up every single piece faster. Just be careful. If you dont know what youre doing, this could cause more harm than good.

Try to dry the exterior

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

We first have to try to get rid of all the excess water found on the exterior of your phone. Use a cloth or paper towel to dry out everything as much as possible. Just make sure you dont mess with the phone too much. Gently dry everything out without moving things around too much. All this water can still make its way inside the phone, which isnt good news.

You could try a vacuum cleaner

Of course, there are areas the paper towel cant access. And while we told you not to blow anything into the phone, we didnt tell you not to suction the water out. In fact, a vacuum cleaner can suck off bits of water from the phone without too much risk. Just make sure the suctioning doesnt make the phone move around excessively.

Step 3: Time to dry out the water damaged phone

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

The hardest part is now, because it involves leaving the phone alone for some time. We know that simply waiting isnt easy, but its necessary. If you have another phone or one you can borrow, ensure the SIM card is completely dry and stick it into the working handset. Otherwise, resort to smoke signals, public phones, and all that archaic stuff.

So, how do you dry your phone out? You could leave the phone on the counter or inside a drawer, but some people like giving it a little help. The idea is to put it in an environment that will ease its drying process. Next to a window works great, as airflow (if the window is open) and sunlight might help a bit. It could also help to put the device close to a fan or air conditioning vent.

Uncovering the rice myth

A very common practice is putting the phone in a Ziploc bag full of rice and letting it rest. Why rice? Mainly because it is something readily available in most homes. Rice is dry, and hence very good at absorbing humidity in the air, making the phones environment drier and helping dry out the device. Or, at least, that is the theory.

We would like to emphasize using rice is not recommended, though! Rice has starch, dust, and other small particles that may cause more damage than good. In fact, Apple has gone as far as addressing the whole rice myth, just to make sure users stop doing this.

Safe things you can use

Lily Katz / Android Authority

With that said, if you can make your way to a store, there are better alternatives. Among better options are silica gel packs, which are those little packets you often find in shoes or electronics boxes (and you cant eat). Its not like we all have these lying around, but if you think ahead, you could get good deals on Amazon.

And while we are on the topic of thinking ahead, you could also buy a water rescue kit. I happen to like Kensingtons EVAP bundle, which includes a special bag and silica gel packs. Kensington states this is 700% more effective at drying moisture than rice is, though its hard to say how true its claim is. Still, it might be worth the investment.

Step 4: How to safely turn on a water damaged phone

Austin Kwok / Android Authority

So you did everything you could, and a few days passed. Its time to see if all your efforts paid off. Take the phone out of wherever you left it and put it all together. Then plug the phone in and try to turn it on. If it works, you have succeeded! Stay on the lookout for any odd behavior, though, at least for a few days. Also, test all the components. Make a call to see if the microphone and earphone work, test the speaker, check the buttons, etc.

Now, if the phone doesnt work, its time to accept defeat, take it to a professional, and see if it can be salvaged. You can also claim insurance if you have it. Not to sound like a doctor, but after this point, we have done everything we could. Sometimes, you have to let the phone go.

FAQs

Its not guaranteed, and despite the fact that the theory makes sense, rice can actually harm your device. Rice has starch, dust, and other small particles that can harm your device.

Using rice to try to salvage a wet phone is not the best solution. In fact, it may be harmful. Silica packs are more efficient.

While it may sound like a good idea, blow drying a wet phone can often do more harm than good. This is because blowing air into electronics can push moisture further inside. Additionally, excessive heat can harm electronics.

Phone warranties dont commonly cover water damage. This is often the case even when a phone is said to be waterproof. Most phone insurances do cover water damage, though.

How to fix your water-damaged phone in 8 steps

From the beach to the boat, wherever we go to enjoy warmer weather, our phones are usually right along for the funand keeping them above water can be a challenging task. According to 2023 Asurion claims data, more phone repair claims are filed for liquid damage between June and August than any other time of the year.

So, what is the best way to protect your phone from liquid damage? Asurion Experts are asked this question often while helping our 300 million (and counting) customers with all of their tech care needs. Their advice: Invest in a waterproof pouch. While some of the newest phones are considered waterproof, theyll only be protected if submerged for a set period of timeto learn more, check out our guide to waterproof vs water-resistant phones. Waterproof phone pouches, like those made by CaliCase or JOTO, will help to keep your phone afloat.

In case your device does take a plunge, here are tips for getting water out of your phone that you'll need to know.

How to get water out of your phone

Here's what to do if you drop your phone in water or get it wet:

1. Remove it from the liquid immediately. The longer it stays there, the more liquid will seep into various inlets.
2. Turn the phone off and leave it off.
3. Remove the protective case.
4. If possible, open the back and remove the battery, SIM card, and microSD card (if you have one). Not sure how to remove the SIM card? Check out our guide for iPhone and Android.
5. Use a cloth or paper towel to dab your phone dry. Do not rub the phone, as doing so could accidentally push liquid into the phones more sensitive parts. If the phone was completely submerged, you might try (very) gently vacuuming around the phones creases and openings to suck more water out.
6. Resist the urge to bake your phone in the sun.Keep it in a cool, dry place.
7. Youve probably heard the suggestion to put your phone in rice if it gets wet, but we do not recommend this method. Instead, try silica gel packets, like the ones that often come with new products such as a pair of shoes, as theyve proven to be much more effective. Fill a plastic zip-top bag with silica gel packets and bury the phone in the bag. Leave your phone in the bag for2448 hours.
8. After youve allowed your phone to fully dry, switch it on. If it doesnt turn on right away,charge it fully and try again.

If your phone turns back on, great! Still, keep an eye on it over the next week or so, as sometimes certain features wont work the way they used to.

If you've tried these steps and still need a little help, we're right around the corner. Schedule a repair at thenearest uBreakiFixby Asurion store, and our certified experts can get your device back up and running as soon as the same day.

Spilled water on your device?

We can help. Skip the bag of rice, and schedule a water damage repair for a free diagnostic.

Schedule a repair

How can you tell if your phone has water damage?

There are a few signs that can confirm water damage to your device:

• Look for the visual presence of water or evaporation (or dried water markings) behind the screen.
• Check for corrosion marks visible at ports.
• Check the Discolored Liquid Damage Indicator (LDI). The LDI is typically located in the headphone jack, battery compartment, or SIM tray slot. If your phone has water damage, the LDI will appear red or maroon.

Does rice fix water-damaged phones?

According to Asurion Experts, putting your water-exposed device in rice may absorb some moisture. However, it may also cause other issues for your phone, such as an introduction of dust and dry starcha rice byproductinto your phone's cracks and crevices. Rice could also potentially become lodged in your phone's charging port or headphone jack, which can be extremely difficult to dislodge as the rice swells when exposed to liquid.

Can you blow-dry a water-damaged phone?

Blow-drying your phone when it's exposed to water is not recommended. While it might remove some of the surface moisture, it will do very little to remove the moisture from inside your device and the heat could do irreparable damage to your phone's internal components.

How do you remove water from a charging port?

Here are the steps to take to remove water from a phone's charging port:

1. Turn off the device.
2. If your phone is in a case, take it off.
3. Remove the battery (if you can).
4. Wipe down the device with a dry, absorbent towel.
5. Blow away the excess fluid carefully with compressed air or by carefully blowing on it.
6. Let it sit and dry out, with open ports facing down.

How do you get water out of your phone speakers?

Try these tips to get water out of your iPhone or Android phone speakers:

• Take a cotton swab and gently swab the area around the speakers.
• Turn the device off and place it in an upright position to dry out, with the speakers facing downward. Doing so will encourage excess water to come out.

Does Asurion cover water damage?

While dropping your smartphone into liquid typically voids the manufacturers warranty automaticallymany phones have indicators that change colors when wetthat isnt the case when it comes to your smartphone insurance policy. If your phone is covered, you can start a claim at asurion.com at any time.