How to Dry Out a Cell Phone

Try to keep your cell phone out of water.

Cell phones are the one item that most people cannot live without. People take their cell phones with them everywhere, making them susceptible to damage. One of the most common ways to damage a cell phone is to drop it in water. Do not fear; if you act quickly enough, there is a way to dry your cell phone out.

Things You'll Need

• Absorbent lint-free cloth or paper towel
• Compressed air (optional)
• Bowl
• White rice

Instructions

1. Remove the cell phone from the water immediately. Do this as soon as the phone hits the water. This may prevent excess water from seeping into the phone.

2. Remove the battery from your cell phone. Remove the SIM card from your cell phone if it is easily accessible.

3. Dry off your cell phone and the battery/SIM card as much as possible with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. Blot at the phone and its parts gently to soak up as much water as you can. Do not rub or dry off the cell phone roughly.

4. Remove excess water by blowing on your cell phone or using a can of compressed air. If you blow on your cell phone be careful not to spit. You can also use a shop vac on a low setting to lift the water away from the cell phone.

5. Fill a bowl with rice. Use uncooked rice for this to work. White rice is better than brown, but brown will work also if that is all you have.

6. Place your cell phone and the battery and SIM card into the rice filled bowl. Make sure the cell phone and its parts are completely covered. Allow it to sit in the rice for up to 24 hours. The rice helps to draw moisture out of the phone.

7. Remove the phone, battery and SIM from the rice after the 24-hour period. Reassemble the phone and turn it on to see if it is working.

Tips & Warnings

• Charge the battery first if it drained during the rice "bath."

• Do not try to remove your SIM card if it is a time-consuming task -- only remove it if you can very quickly.

• Leave your cell phone in the rice for a couple of days if it was in the water for an extended period of time.

• Do not use any type of heat source to dry off your cell phone. This includes a hair dryer or your microwave oven. Any type of heat can damage your cell phone, battery and SIM card.

References

• "Popular Mechanics": How to Save Your Wet Cell Phone: Tech Clinic