How do I know if my screen is water damaged

Phone wet and wont turn on? Heres what to do with water damage (hint: putting it in rice wont work)

If youve ever gotten your phone wet in the rain, dropped it in water or spilt liquid over it, youre not alone. One study suggests 25% of smartphone users have damaged their smartphone with water or some other kind of liquid.

Liquid penetrating a smartphone can affect the device in several ways. It could lead to:

• blurry photos, if moisture gets trapped in the camera lens

• ruffled audio, or no audio

• liquid droplets under the screen

• an inability to charge

• the rusting of internal parts, or

• a total end to all functionality.

While new phones are advertised as water resistant, this doesnt mean they are waterproof, or totally immune to water. Water resistance just implies the device can handle some exposure to water before substantial damage occurs.

Samsung Australia has long defended itself against claims it misrepresents the water resistance of its smartphones.

In 2019, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took Samsung to the federal court, alleging false and misleading advertisements had led customers to believe their Galaxy phones would be suitable for:

Use in, or exposure to, all types of water (including, for example, oceans and swimming pools).

Samsung Australia subsequently denied warranty claims from customers for damage caused to phones by use in, or exposure to, liquid.

Similarly, last year Apple was fined 10m (A$15.5m) by Italys antitrust authority for misleading claims about the water resistance of its phones, and for not covering liquid damage under warranty, despite these claims.

How resistant is your phone?

The water resistance of phones is rated by an ingress protection code, commonly called an IP rating. Simply, an electrical devices IP rating refers to its effectiveness against intrusions from solids and liquids.

The rating includes two numbers. The first demonstrates protection against solids such as dust, while the second indicates resistance to liquids, specifically water.

A phone that has a rating of IP68 has a solid object protection of 6 (full protection from dust, dirt and sand) and a liquid protection of 8 (protected from immersion in water to a depth of more than one metre).

Although, for the latter, manufacturers are responsible for defining the exact depth and time.

The popular iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy S21 phones both have a rating of IP68. However, regarding exposure to water, the iPhone 12 has a permissible immersion depth of a maximum of 6m for 30 minutes, whereas the Galaxy 21s immersion limit is up to 1.5m, also for 30 minutes.

While IP ratings indicate the water-repellent nature of phones, taking most phones for a swim will land you in deep trouble. The salt content in oceans and swimming pools can corrode your device and cost you a hefty replacement.

Moreover, phone manufacturers carry out their IP testing in fresh water and Apple recommends devices not be submerged in liquids of any kind.

Luckily, water-resistant phones are generally able to survive smaller liquid volumes, such as from a glass tipping over.

Checking for liquid damage

Exposure to water is something manufacturers have in mind when designing phones. Most Apple and Samsung phones come with a liquid contact/damage indicator strip located inside the SIM card tray.

This is used to check for liquid damage that may be causing a device to malfunction. An indicator strip that comes in contact with liquid loses its usual colour and becomes discoloured and smudgy.

A discoloured strip usually renders your phone ineligible for a standard manufacturer warranty.

If you have any of the more recent smartphones from Apple or Samsung, then your device will be able to detect liquid or moisture in its charging port and will warn you with an alert. This notification only goes away once the port is dry.

But what should you do if this dreadful pop-up presents itself?

Fixing a water-logged phone

Firstly, do not put your phone in a container of rice. Its a myth that rice helps in drying out your phone. Instead, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the device immediately and dont press any buttons. 2. If your phone is water resistant and youve spilt or submerged it in a liquid other than water, both Apple and Samsung recommend rinsing it off by submerging it in still tap water (but not under a running tap, which could cause damage). 3. Wipe the phone dry with paper towels or a soft cloth. 4. Gently shake the device to remove water from the charging ports, but avoid vigorous shaking as this could further spread the liquid inside. 5. Remove the SIM card. 6. Use a compressed aerosol air duster to blow the water out if you have one. Avoid using a hot blow dryer as the heat can wreck the rubber seals and damage the screen. 7. Dry out the phone (and especially the ports) in front of a fan. 8. Leave your phone in an airtight container full of silica gel packets (those small packets you get inside new shoes and bags), or another drying agent. These help absorb the moisture. 9. Do not charge the phone until you are certain its dry. Charging a device with liquid still inside it, or in the ports, can cause further damage. Apple suggests waiting at least five hours once a phone appears dry before charging it (or until the alert disappears).

If the above steps dont help and youre still stuck with a seemingly dead device, dont try opening the phone yourself. Youre better off taking it to a professional.

Water behind MacBook Pro screen

My MacBook Pro recently got in touch with water because of a water bottle that spit out in my bag.

I don't think there is any internal damage since it's still working perfectly fine. Keybord and touchbar are both responding and I don't think there's any internal damage. At least that's what I assume for the little time I had my Mac turned on after my misadventure.

The only huge problem I can tell is that water got behind my screen as you can see on the picture. What should I do to get rid of it?

Thanks for your help!

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.

MacBook water damage - The definitive guide

• MacBook water damage is not easy to repair; even minor spills can present advanced issues requiring lots of tools and expertise. Repairing MacBook water damage is doablehowever, if you are a novice, read this entire post to ensure you don't get in over your head. Beware of any advice telling you to simply allow it to dry or clean it with alcohol; modern MacBooks have many components that can be damaged by a spill. This guide will explain all you need to know about MacBook water damage, and help you decide whether to attempt your own DIY repair or find an expert.

Its safe to assume that if you are here, then you or someone you know has experienced MacBook water damage. If you are like most folks, you packed up your soggy Mac, made your way to your local Apple Store, and waited in lineonly to be told that they wont touch a Mac that has been exposed to liquid. They may offer you a Tier 4 Repair, to the tune of $1240.00. These options dont sit well with most consumers, so you probably returned home and began to scour the web for a better solution. Now that you're here, let's get started.

While this may seem like a no-brainer, there is more to this than one may think.

The makeup of drinkable tap water or bottled water including mineral waters (all potable) is different around the world, chemicals in any one water source ultimately determine the ingredients it holds Calcium, Manganese & Magnesium Salts all of which can induce electrolysis when electrical power is present. Even rain can carry chemicals which can lead to damage from acids to smoke solids that it collects. Saltwater or brackish river water has Sodium Chloride (Sea Salt). It is by far the most aggressive salt you will encounter. Your water can also contain Bicarbonate and Nitrates, Plant and Soil solids.

Tap or bottled water, straight tea or coffee are not particularly acidic and tend to be the easiest and quickest to repair and restore. Other liquids like fruit juices, milk products, soft drinks and wine can pose a new set of challenges due to the acidity, sugars and solids also present.

Here is a video of a MacBook Pro coming in contact with .05 ounces of plain tap water

Inside your MacBook when the spill occurs

Once MacBook water damage has occurred, the liquid will likely make its way to the logic board and other components. The liquids minerals and salts immediately begin to eat away at the metal, silicone and fiberglass components. Often, the Mac will work for a few days after the spill and then stop working. This is due to the metals oxidizing and slowly corroding. If there is a power source available, such as a battery, which is supplying power to the system (even if the computer is off), the electric current will interact with the liquid and accelerate this corrosion process. This causes the copper and other metals to migrate across the board. If this corrosion process is not stopped, you will likely end up with a very expensive paperweight.

Corrosionis a process, which converts refined metals to their more stable oxide. It is the slow and gradual deterioration of materials (usuallymetals) by chemical reaction within their environment, In this case thecorrosion occurs when you combine electricity, metal, water and oxygen, creating iron oxide (or what is more commonly known as rust). There is no reliable timetable for this process to occur; a MacBook's internal components typically begin corroding immediately after the spill, but in some cases your Mac can function normally for days or weeks without showing any obvious sign of a problem. How fast the corrosion process takes depends on a ton of factors we have no control over, likehumidity, the severity ofthe spill, and how long the device remained in contact with the liquid. The best practice is to not power on or use the MacBook at all until you can address the damage. Below are a few examples of corrosion caused by a water spill.

You MAY need the following tools:

1. Pro Tech Tool Kit The Pro Tech Toolkit is the one kit you need to tackle any electronics repair challenge.

2. Distilled Water (pure water - not tap!) - Used to clean off water soluble sugary deposits and neutralize acids

3. Isopropyl Alcohol 90% reagent grade Used to clean any visible corrosion on your components. It is pricey @ $49.95 a gallon, but is an absolute must-have to effectively clean damaged components. As a solvent, it evaporates quickly and is safe for plastics. As it dries, it gives off a very light odor, which is not bothersome but serves as a cue to limit over-exposure due to poor ventilation.

4. Stereo Microscope (Optional) This model is the most affordable option and can be found on Amazon for $189.00 A stereo microscope is an often-overlooked tool but is critically important. You will want to inspect all solder points to ensure that you have resolved any shorts on the main logic board. Additionally, if you have a failed SMD component, a microscope will be required to replace it.

5. Hot Air Rework Station (Optional) If you run into a situation where you need to repair or replace individual components on the main board, a quality hot air station will be required. Prices very drastically, but you can purchase a low-end system for around $150.

6. Soldering Iron This piece of equipment is pricey, but you get what you pay for when it comes to functionality. Weller units run $514, and will be capable of any micro soldering tasks you will encounter.

7. Ultrasonic Cleaner This is a must-have for any MacBook Pro liquid damage repair. An ultrasonic cleaner will remove corrosion from underneath components on your logic board. Skip this very important step and you may regret it. A quality ultrasonic cleaner can be purchased for about $89.

8. Replacement parts This is where you can run into some issues. Its imperative that you source genuine Apple Parts. Trying to save money by buying counterfeit or off-brand parts will come back to bite you.

Any MacBook that is exposed to liquid requires a thorough inspection. Even a small amount of corrosion, if left untreated, can cause a system failure further down the road.

You will need to completely disassemble your MacBook to ensure a thorough diagnostic.

A1502 MacBook Pro liquid damaged

Inspect the keyboard and track pad for ANY corrosion or sticky residueif found, a keyboard or track pad replacement is recommended.

A1502 MacBook Pro Keyboard Replacement

Inspect the logic board for any sign of liquid exposureThis should be done with a high-powered stereo microscope, and each SMD component should be checked for any signs of damage. If damage is found, the logic board should be cleaned ultrasonically, and damaged SMD components should then be replaced.

Here is a video of the SMD repair process:

Here is an example of logic board repair/refurbishment

All display connections and wiring should be throughly inspected, and if there is any sign of liquid exposure a display replacement is recommended.

Test the battery - Batteries are often victims of liquid spills and can be very challenging to replace. Here is an example of what you can expect.

A1502 MacBook Pro Battery replacement

Data Integrity Data integrity should be checked and re-checked. In the vast majority of cases, data is not effected. If corrosion is present on the SSD or HD, replacement is recommended.

There are many resources to assist in DIY repair of MacBook water damagejust take your time and ensure you have a good grasp of the task ahead of you, and you too can restore your MacBook after a liquid spill. Good Luck!