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Technology
How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
(Photograph by J. Muckle/Studio D. Ilustrations by Gabriel Silveira)
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Q: If I get my phone wet, what's the best way to bring it back to life?
A: Even if a wet cellphone seems dead, there's a good chance it can be resuscitated. Just make sure you act fast—the longer the water sits inside, the greater the likelihood it will destroy the phone for good.
This is a DIY moment. While consumers are conditioned to send back broken merchandise, your phone's warranty probably doesn't cover water damage. And you may not have much luck pulling a fast one on your phone company—most of today's phones come with a “water sticker” that permanently changes color if it gets wet.
The first step: Immediately cut the power by removing the battery. I know it's tempting, but resist the urge to power up your phone to see if it works—just turning it on can short out the circuits. If you have a GSM phone (the type used by AT&T and T-Mobile), you'll want to remove the SIM card as well. Even if your phone turns out to be beyond repair, the SIM should retain a lot of its onboard information, such as the contacts in your phone book.
With the battery safely set aside, you now have one goal—dry your phone, and dry it fast. If you let the moisture evaporate naturally, the chance of corrosion damaging the phone's innards increases. Instead, blow or suck the water out. But don't use a hair dryer—its heat can fry your phone's insides. Instead, opt for a can of compressed air, an air compressor set to a low psi or a vacuum cleaner (a wet/dry Shop-Vac would be perfect). The idea is to use air to push or pull moisture out through the same channels it entered.
Finally, use a desiccant to wick away any leftover moisture. The most convenient choice is uncooked rice. Just leave the phone (and its disconnected battery) submerged in a bowl of grains overnight. If you're worried about rice dust getting inside your phone, you can instead use the packets of silica gel that often come stuffed in the pockets of new clothes. But acting fast is far more important than avoiding a little dust, so don't waste time shopping if you don't already have a drawer full of silica gel.
The most important thing to remember is to avoid heat. That means no hair dryers, ovens, microwaves or extended periods in direct sunlight. While heat will certainly evaporate the moisture, it could also warp components and melt adhesives. Those fragile glues are also why you'll want to avoid dunking the phone in rubbing alcohol (an oftprescribed tip on the Web). Alcohol is a solvent and can dissolve the internal adhesives. (If you drop your phone in the toilet, it's okay to wipe the outside with alcohol to disinfect it.)
One final, perhaps surprising, note: If your phone gets soaked in salt water, you should probably flush the whole thing in fresh water before it dries. When salt water evaporates, it leaves crystals that can damage a phone's fragile components. Just be sure to remove the battery before flooding the device.
A: Even if a wet cellphone seems dead, there's a good chance it can be resuscitated. Just make sure you act fast—the longer the water sits inside, the greater the likelihood it will destroy the phone for good.
This is a DIY moment. While consumers are conditioned to send back broken merchandise, your phone's warranty probably doesn't cover water damage. And you may not have much luck pulling a fast one on your phone company—most of today's phones come with a “water sticker” that permanently changes color if it gets wet.
The first step: Immediately cut the power by removing the battery. I know it's tempting, but resist the urge to power up your phone to see if it works—just turning it on can short out the circuits. If you have a GSM phone (the type used by AT&T and T-Mobile), you'll want to remove the SIM card as well. Even if your phone turns out to be beyond repair, the SIM should retain a lot of its onboard information, such as the contacts in your phone book.
With the battery safely set aside, you now have one goal—dry your phone, and dry it fast. If you let the moisture evaporate naturally, the chance of corrosion damaging the phone's innards increases. Instead, blow or suck the water out. But don't use a hair dryer—its heat can fry your phone's insides. Instead, opt for a can of compressed air, an air compressor set to a low psi or a vacuum cleaner (a wet/dry Shop-Vac would be perfect). The idea is to use air to push or pull moisture out through the same channels it entered.
Finally, use a desiccant to wick away any leftover moisture. The most convenient choice is uncooked rice. Just leave the phone (and its disconnected battery) submerged in a bowl of grains overnight. If you're worried about rice dust getting inside your phone, you can instead use the packets of silica gel that often come stuffed in the pockets of new clothes. But acting fast is far more important than avoiding a little dust, so don't waste time shopping if you don't already have a drawer full of silica gel.
The most important thing to remember is to avoid heat. That means no hair dryers, ovens, microwaves or extended periods in direct sunlight. While heat will certainly evaporate the moisture, it could also warp components and melt adhesives. Those fragile glues are also why you'll want to avoid dunking the phone in rubbing alcohol (an oftprescribed tip on the Web). Alcohol is a solvent and can dissolve the internal adhesives. (If you drop your phone in the toilet, it's okay to wipe the outside with alcohol to disinfect it.)
One final, perhaps surprising, note: If your phone gets soaked in salt water, you should probably flush the whole thing in fresh water before it dries. When salt water evaporates, it leaves crystals that can damage a phone's fragile components. Just be sure to remove the battery before flooding the device.
27. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
My phone was sat on the sink two days ago and got wet. Look up ways to save my drenched phone was sat in it rice like this site said. Woke up this morning, popped the battery back in and wala my phone works perfectly....thank you!
26. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Hi every one...i have try this solution on wet phone and..it really love and..one seconds answer.
25. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Refrigeration will not work well to prevent corrosion of the circuits and damage if you want to get water out, unless you have a fridge specially made for no-moisture. A better solution is a freezer; a no-frost freezer is even better. Sublimation works just as well as evaporation, with less chance of corrosion (since the water needs to be in a non-crystalline state to corrode the metal in your phone).
24. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Website: myspace.com/eli47
Just a second ago I forgot my phone was in the wash for the second time, and now I am wrapping it in an airtight position with a sock and a towel. Another key to this problem, is luck.
23. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Well I was at a softball party and unfortunetly I got thrown in without a chance to say I had my phone in my pocket I got out took it out of my pocket and took the battery out dryed it off and shook some water out of it. Ive tried rice it helped a little but not much I can turn it on but it has things wrong with the numbers and stuff what should I do?
22. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Website: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how_to/4269047.html
I had the same problem yesterday, I jumped in the pool at BeachBen park and for some reason I had forgotten all about my phone being in my pocket. I stayed in the pool for a good 5 minutes when I realized my phone was in my pocket. After cursing [alot] I took the battery and sim's card out of my Krazer and let it out to dry but I was kinda outside for about an hour since no one picked me up. [Thanks mom..] anyways I let it sit in my coldish bedroom for the night and then I tried turning it on and it worked. all but the screen and my 'Voice Notes'/Ringtones. ... So if your phone has been in a pool longer than 5 minutes you need to take the battery and the sim's card out asap! and start shaking it and drying off the remaining water on the outside of the phone. If your phone seems heavier than usual; Try to actually sucking the water out on all the speakers. It should help A LOT. - Myspace.com/stanleylay Add me :D
21. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I can't believe no one here has done the thing everyone I know of does. And thats put your phone in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. The fridge removes moisture from the air does this quite well for wet gadgets. This has saved numerous phones for me and my friends. Don't put it in the veggie drawer though, its designed to keep moisture in.
20. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
It's funny I found this via Stumbleupon today was dumbass me jumped in the pool with my cell in my pocket. I tried this once a long time ago when I did the exact same thing and it worked perfectly. I put the phone in a ziplock bag with silca packets and left it in my car. Within a day it was working again.
19. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Website: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how_to/4269047.html
My phone was accidently hosed. on my battery you could see the water damage. as soon as i got home i put it in rice and the next morning, the water look was gone but it still didnt work. so i vaccumed it for 20 minutes and it worked, but only for a few seconds before my phome shut back off again.
18. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
We can save our wet cellphone by putting it in the sunlight(First open your cellphone's body).
17. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Remove the battery (don't try to power it up wet), submerge in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes. Remove and let dry for 24 hours. I used a razr for 2 years after a full wash cycle. Also saved a bluetooth ' after a dunk in sweet tea.
16. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
whats always worked for me is wrapping the phone in a sock, then a towel, tape the towel (to give it good padding)and tossing it in the dryer on air only for half an hour
15. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Website: www.obviously.com
Shake, shake, shake that water out. And fast...
14. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Something which has worked for me in the past - Place phone the appropriate distance(about 30cm/1 ft) below a desktop lamp, and leave overnight. In order for it to work, the lightbulb needs to be tungsten, and not one of the CFL(energy saving)types.
13. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I tried to pull a fast one on my phone company, i had water damage and the sticker was red, so i swapped the sticker with a dry one from an older phone, took it into the shop and they sent it out on warranty... then when it came back in the said they could tell there was water damage on the main board and charged me 30 dollars for shipping :S
12. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I tried to pull a fast one on my phone company, i had water damage and the sticker was red, so i swapped the sticker with a dry one from an older phone, took it into the shop and they sent it out on warranty... then when it came back in the said they could tell there was water damage on the main board and charged me 30 dollars for shipping :S
11. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
RE: #8 Unfortunately you can't remove the iPod's battery, meaning you are likely SOL. While it's nice having a solid-feeling gadget without battery doors, this is an obvious downside.
10. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
very good and interesting facts about it, really apreciate it. more power
9. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I used to work on swimming pool installations. Dropping your phone in the pool was a pretty common occurrence (1 -2 a year). But you had an advantage when it did happen. We would remove the battery and the place it in a sealed container of Calcium Carbonate. Leave it overnight, and it was fine the next day. Obviously not a very practical idea for most, but I would imagine a lot of water damage happens to people who own swimming pools, and they would more than likely have some "water hardener" handy.
8. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Website: http://www.healthpluswealth.com
I wonder if this same method works on Ipod's. My wife dropped hers in the toilet while cleaning. $350 down the drain, literally.
7. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Just jumped in the pool with my phone in my pocket last week. I took the battery out and dried off the phone. I used a hair dryer to loosen the adhesive and carefully pried off the glass display cover to drain the water behind it. Another shot with the hair dryer to soften the adhesive again and I replaced the same glass. I put the battery back in(which a meter shows is NG) and plugged the phone in with the AC charger and...YES!...the phone lit up! It works fine as long as its plugged in to the wall or the car. I ordered a new battery on eBay and, as soon as it gets here, I should be good as new!
6. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I keep all little bag of silica gel when I buy a new gadget. To dry all thoses bags, I place them on a cookies plates and place in oven AFTER cooking someting else, when the oven is get down 250 F. During the cooling process of the oven the heat get off the humidity from the gel (30 min). Then I place that bags in a sealed bag for (energency) futur use
5. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I used the microwave to heat - dry the silicagel , and then put it into a glass container while hot - placed the phone and battery on it and vacuumed the whole container to near absolute vacuum . the rest of the water boiled in the phone at the low pressure , and most of it sucked by the silica gel - the rest condensed on the cover as it was cold . even the display looks perfect .
4. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Not only is uncooked white rice good for drying thins out, but its a good reaplacement for potting soil. My dad grew an aloe vera plant in a glass bowl with white rice no water addded.
3. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I heard that if you drop it and it completely submerges to get it into distilled water immediately. This way none of the contaminates and harder parts of the water have a chance to dry out and cause corrosion. Then use the methods mentioned above.
2. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Those "water stickers" mentioned in the article...they are pretty infallible. That's why the best thing to do if you miss your "dry it out quick" window, is replace the sticker. There are online retailers out there that sell them. Not that I would condone finding a workaround to a ridiculous non-coverage clause...but hey...it's out there
1. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I can now get calls and make calls but both screens on the cell phone remain dark so I cannot see contacts, etc. Help
My phone was sat on the sink two days ago and got wet. Look up ways to save my drenched phone was sat in it rice like this site said. Woke up this morning, popped the battery back in and wala my phone works perfectly....thank you!
26. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Hi every one...i have try this solution on wet phone and..it really love and..one seconds answer.
25. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Refrigeration will not work well to prevent corrosion of the circuits and damage if you want to get water out, unless you have a fridge specially made for no-moisture. A better solution is a freezer; a no-frost freezer is even better. Sublimation works just as well as evaporation, with less chance of corrosion (since the water needs to be in a non-crystalline state to corrode the metal in your phone).
24. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Website: myspace.com/eli47
Just a second ago I forgot my phone was in the wash for the second time, and now I am wrapping it in an airtight position with a sock and a towel. Another key to this problem, is luck.
23. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Well I was at a softball party and unfortunetly I got thrown in without a chance to say I had my phone in my pocket I got out took it out of my pocket and took the battery out dryed it off and shook some water out of it. Ive tried rice it helped a little but not much I can turn it on but it has things wrong with the numbers and stuff what should I do?
22. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Website: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how_to/4269047.html
I had the same problem yesterday, I jumped in the pool at BeachBen park and for some reason I had forgotten all about my phone being in my pocket. I stayed in the pool for a good 5 minutes when I realized my phone was in my pocket. After cursing [alot] I took the battery and sim's card out of my Krazer and let it out to dry but I was kinda outside for about an hour since no one picked me up. [Thanks mom..] anyways I let it sit in my coldish bedroom for the night and then I tried turning it on and it worked. all but the screen and my 'Voice Notes'/Ringtones. ... So if your phone has been in a pool longer than 5 minutes you need to take the battery and the sim's card out asap! and start shaking it and drying off the remaining water on the outside of the phone. If your phone seems heavier than usual; Try to actually sucking the water out on all the speakers. It should help A LOT. - Myspace.com/stanleylay Add me :D
21. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I can't believe no one here has done the thing everyone I know of does. And thats put your phone in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. The fridge removes moisture from the air does this quite well for wet gadgets. This has saved numerous phones for me and my friends. Don't put it in the veggie drawer though, its designed to keep moisture in.
20. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
It's funny I found this via Stumbleupon today was dumbass me jumped in the pool with my cell in my pocket. I tried this once a long time ago when I did the exact same thing and it worked perfectly. I put the phone in a ziplock bag with silca packets and left it in my car. Within a day it was working again.
19. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Website: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how_to/4269047.html
My phone was accidently hosed. on my battery you could see the water damage. as soon as i got home i put it in rice and the next morning, the water look was gone but it still didnt work. so i vaccumed it for 20 minutes and it worked, but only for a few seconds before my phome shut back off again.
18. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
We can save our wet cellphone by putting it in the sunlight(First open your cellphone's body).
17. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Remove the battery (don't try to power it up wet), submerge in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes. Remove and let dry for 24 hours. I used a razr for 2 years after a full wash cycle. Also saved a bluetooth ' after a dunk in sweet tea.
16. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
whats always worked for me is wrapping the phone in a sock, then a towel, tape the towel (to give it good padding)and tossing it in the dryer on air only for half an hour
15. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Website: www.obviously.com
Shake, shake, shake that water out. And fast...
14. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Something which has worked for me in the past - Place phone the appropriate distance(about 30cm/1 ft) below a desktop lamp, and leave overnight. In order for it to work, the lightbulb needs to be tungsten, and not one of the CFL(energy saving)types.
13. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I tried to pull a fast one on my phone company, i had water damage and the sticker was red, so i swapped the sticker with a dry one from an older phone, took it into the shop and they sent it out on warranty... then when it came back in the said they could tell there was water damage on the main board and charged me 30 dollars for shipping :S
12. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I tried to pull a fast one on my phone company, i had water damage and the sticker was red, so i swapped the sticker with a dry one from an older phone, took it into the shop and they sent it out on warranty... then when it came back in the said they could tell there was water damage on the main board and charged me 30 dollars for shipping :S
11. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
RE: #8 Unfortunately you can't remove the iPod's battery, meaning you are likely SOL. While it's nice having a solid-feeling gadget without battery doors, this is an obvious downside.
10. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
very good and interesting facts about it, really apreciate it. more power
9. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I used to work on swimming pool installations. Dropping your phone in the pool was a pretty common occurrence (1 -2 a year). But you had an advantage when it did happen. We would remove the battery and the place it in a sealed container of Calcium Carbonate. Leave it overnight, and it was fine the next day. Obviously not a very practical idea for most, but I would imagine a lot of water damage happens to people who own swimming pools, and they would more than likely have some "water hardener" handy.
8. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Website: http://www.healthpluswealth.com
I wonder if this same method works on Ipod's. My wife dropped hers in the toilet while cleaning. $350 down the drain, literally.
7. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Just jumped in the pool with my phone in my pocket last week. I took the battery out and dried off the phone. I used a hair dryer to loosen the adhesive and carefully pried off the glass display cover to drain the water behind it. Another shot with the hair dryer to soften the adhesive again and I replaced the same glass. I put the battery back in(which a meter shows is NG) and plugged the phone in with the AC charger and...YES!...the phone lit up! It works fine as long as its plugged in to the wall or the car. I ordered a new battery on eBay and, as soon as it gets here, I should be good as new!
6. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I keep all little bag of silica gel when I buy a new gadget. To dry all thoses bags, I place them on a cookies plates and place in oven AFTER cooking someting else, when the oven is get down 250 F. During the cooling process of the oven the heat get off the humidity from the gel (30 min). Then I place that bags in a sealed bag for (energency) futur use
5. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I used the microwave to heat - dry the silicagel , and then put it into a glass container while hot - placed the phone and battery on it and vacuumed the whole container to near absolute vacuum . the rest of the water boiled in the phone at the low pressure , and most of it sucked by the silica gel - the rest condensed on the cover as it was cold . even the display looks perfect .
4. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Not only is uncooked white rice good for drying thins out, but its a good reaplacement for potting soil. My dad grew an aloe vera plant in a glass bowl with white rice no water addded.
3. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I heard that if you drop it and it completely submerges to get it into distilled water immediately. This way none of the contaminates and harder parts of the water have a chance to dry out and cause corrosion. Then use the methods mentioned above.
2. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
Those "water stickers" mentioned in the article...they are pretty infallible. That's why the best thing to do if you miss your "dry it out quick" window, is replace the sticker. There are online retailers out there that sell them. Not that I would condone finding a workaround to a ridiculous non-coverage clause...but hey...it's out there
1. RE: How to Save Your Wet Cellphone: Tech Clinic
I can now get calls and make calls but both screens on the cell phone remain dark so I cannot see contacts, etc. Help
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Current Issue
On Sale Now: Future Fuels
With gas prices soaring, next-gen biofuels, electricity and hydrogen have never looked better. In a special report, PM examines whether they’re ready to power our cars.Reviews
Future Warfare: New DVD
PM's four-hour, two-disc set deploys battle footage, CG animation, live-action weapons testing and expert interviews to examine everything from robot warriors to UAVs. 