How To Properly Dry A Wet Smartphone

A view of a wet smartphone placed in a bowl of rice to dry, in London, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. There's a lot of advice on the internet about what to do if you drop your phone in water, some of it co

LONDON (AP) — Accidents happen, and one common mishap is dropping your phone into water. Whether it's a swimming pool, bathtub, or toilet, knowing how to properly dry a wet smartphone is crucial. With conflicting advice circulating online, it's essential to follow the right steps to prevent further damage.

When your phone gets wet, start by drying the exterior with a towel or cloth. Remove the SIM card, back housing, and battery if possible. Turn off the phone and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific device.

For iPhones, gently tap the phone with the connector ports facing down to allow liquid to drain. Samsung suggests using a cotton bud to remove moisture from openings, while Apple advises against inserting cotton buds into iPhone ports.

Follow manufacturer's recommendations for specific device.

Dry exterior with a towel, remove SIM card, battery.

Avoid using hair dryer, rice, or inserting cotton buds into ports.

Use silica gel for moisture absorption, not rice.

If the phone is exposed to substances other than water, such as drinks or pool water, Samsung recommends soaking it in clean water to eliminate impurities. Both Samsung and Apple suggest leaving the phone in a well-ventilated area to dry.

Avoid using a hair dryer, compressed air, freezer, tumble dryer, or radiator to dry your phone. Refrain from powering it on or charging it with a cable, but wireless charging is acceptable in emergencies.

Contrary to popular belief, using rice to dry a wet phone is not recommended by Apple due to the risk of rice particles damaging the device. Instead, silica gel, a moisture-absorbing agent found in various products, is a better alternative.

It's challenging to determine when the phone is completely dry, so it's advisable to wait several days before attempting to use it. Samsung suggests having the device inspected at a service center even after air-drying.

While many modern phones are water-resistant, this doesn't make them waterproof. Apple's newer models like the iPhone XS are splash and water-resistant, with an IP68 rating allowing submersion for up to 30 minutes. Samsung's Galaxy Android phones offer similar water resistance, but Google warns that water resistance diminishes over time.

For any tech challenges or questions, reach out to [email protected] for assistance.