Think about it – you wake up, browse Facebook, Instagram, and email for too long. Eventually you get into bed ready for a bath because you really need to heal yourself. As you begin to think about your to-do list for the day, you begin to fill the tub with water.
As you list the bath time playlist, your phone slipped out of your wet hands into a water-soaked tub! As you pause to listen to what has just happened, you realize that your phone’s light is still shining, and a little relief comes your way. You pull out your phone and try to give you CPR, but to no avail. So, what should you do to make sure your phone is OK?
How bad is the water inside and on your phone?
After overcoming the shock of seeing your phone fall into a bathtub, you may be able to drain all the visible water and shake it a little to get the water out. But unfortunately, if your phone is completely immersed in water, moving it will not do the trick.
You may be wondering “will my phone work again or will it explode in my face while I browse TikTok?” Let us answer that question. Yes and no.
Why? Modern smartphones are built to withstand immersion in water for a limited time. If you return your phone immediately after throwing it in the water, you can still use it. But you should expect obscure speakers and tense microphones. But if you leave it underwater for long enough, you will end up with a dead phone. But we also know that you would not do that on purpose.
With regard to your phone’s exploding query, it probably won’t happen. Phones often explode when you use faulty chargers and batteries, or you buy factory faulty phones, such as the Samsung Note 7 in 2016, when users ship their freshly purchased units. Although the Korean tech giant recovered from the news, it is hard to forget the explosive phone.
What should you do after saving your phone from drowning?
After you come out of what should have been a relaxing bath, you are ready to find out how damaged your phone is. Will it require expensive repairs? Has liquid damage made your phone worthless? Don’t worry, we’re here to tell you what to do after your phone crashes:
- Turn it off
Whether you like it or not, turning off your phone in case of trouble is always your choice. We will not argue with you because you are right! Anyone who has ever been close to electronics knows that running waves in any wet electronic circuit will lead to potentially fatal problems.
Modern phones automatically shut down when immersed in the water long enough, but that doesn’t mean you have to turn it on again after finding your phone. In some cases, if your phone stays unlocked after storage, we strongly recommend that you turn it off to avoid further damage or risk your life.
- Use a damp cloth
If your phone falls into a bathtub full of liquid without water, we suggest that you wipe it off with a damp cloth. Display a clean, soft cloth and wipe it on your smartphone until you are sure there is no liquid left.
After cleaning all the liquid, wipe again with a dry cloth.
- Remove removable parts
The first thing you need to remove is your phone case! Obviously, you will not be able to delete a unit by opening it. After discarding your drowning case, remove the SIM card and tray, memory card, and, if possible, remove your phone battery /
Basically, take any extracted portion and let it dry.
- Choose the right towel
What towel or cloth should you use to wipe your phone? You will want to look for the softest fabric you can find. If you do not, you could end up with a scratched and damaged liquid.
To ensure that you do not damage your phone by using the wrong towel, get a non-abrasive and soft cloth, similar to the one you can use to clean glasses. If in doubt, look for a soft cloth to avoid scratches.
With your soft cloth, wipe the phone, and the removable parts you removed.
- Let it dry
If your phone is turned off automatically after immersion in water, you are probably bitten to turn it on to check if it is still working. We need to stop it right away – parts of your phone are almost wet and any current one will seriously damage it.
After wiping off any liquid that you see on you, wrap your phone and parts in a towel and leave it in a cool, dry place. This is a painful part because you have to wait until everything is dry so you know that your next stop will be at the phone repair shop for professional help.