Many of us use our phones in the bathroom or near water. It feels harmless until the day your phone slips into the sink, shower, or even the toilet. When that happens, every second counts. If you act quickly, you can save your device from serious damage like short circuits, a dead screen, muffled speakers, or a charging port that no longer works.
Are Modern Phones Really Waterproof
Some newer smartphones are built to handle splashes or short dips in water. Popular models like Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy A54, iPhone 15 Pro, and Google Pixel 8 come with water resistance ratings such as IP67 or IP68.
IP67 means your phone can survive in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
IP68 means it can go deeper, often up to 1.5 meters for the same time.
But remember, water resistant is not waterproof. Over time, seals can weaken, and water can still find its way inside. And if liquid damage happens, most manufacturers including Samsung and Apple do not cover it under warranty.
https://www.samsung.com/uk/support/mobile-devices/what-to-do-if-your-phone-gets-wet
“Even with the highest water resistance rating, no phone is truly waterproof. Water damage is always a risk, so prevention and quick action are your best defenses,” says Michael Thompson, a senior technician at a certified phone repair center.
Steps to Take Immediately When Your Phone Gets Wet
- Take it out of the water right away.
- If it is still on, turn it off. If it turned off by itself, do not try to restart it.
- Wipe it dry on the outside with a soft cloth or paper towel.
- Remove the SIM card and tray to avoid short circuits.
- Do not use a hairdryer, oven, or place it under the sun. Heat can push water deeper inside.
Mistakes That Can Make the Damage Worse
Many people put their wet phone in a bag of rice because they saw it on social media. Rice does not work well. It cannot remove moisture from deep inside the phone and may leave dust or starch in the charging port.
Shaking your phone or pressing buttons can also spread water further. Charging it too soon is one of the fastest ways to destroy it for good.
The Best Way to Dry a Wet Phone
The best method is to use silica gel packets, the small packets you find in shoe boxes and electronics packaging. Silica gel absorbs moisture without leaving residue.
Place your phone in a sealed container with silica gel packets. Leave it there for at least 10 hours, but 24 hours is even better. This method works for both Android phones and iPhones.
Extra Tips for iPhone Users
Apple recommends the same basic steps, but you can also try the Water Eject Shortcut from the Shortcuts app. This plays special sound frequencies that help push water out of the speakers. Another option is Tune Pocket’s Water Ejection Tool, which you can open in Safari. It uses vibrations between 65 and 150 Hz to remove water. Both work better if your iPhone is upside down while doing it. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204104
When to Get Professional Help
If your phone still has screen problems, distorted sound, or charging issues after drying, go to an authorized service center as soon as possible. Continuing to use a damaged phone can lead to permanent failure.
Key Takeaways
Act fast
Do not put your phone in rice
Use silica gel for the best results
Water resistant does not mean waterproof
Prevention is better than repair. Consider a waterproof case if you use your phone near water often
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