How to Dry Your Wet Cell Phone

Keep your cell phone away from water to ensure you don't damage it.

Dropping your cell phone into water is a horrifying experience. What seems like a lost cause might not be, however, if you act quickly enough. Grab your cell phone out of the water immediately, and begin the drying process to save it from permanent damage.

Things You'll Need

• Lint-free cloth or paper towel
• Shop vac
• Compressed air
• Plastic bag
• Rice

Instructions

1. Immediately remove the battery and SIM card (if your phone has one). Pat them dry with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. Pat your cell phone dry as well.

2. Remove as much excess water from the phone, battery and SIM card as possible. Use a shop vac attachment or a can of compressed air to dry up any remaining water.

3. Fill a plastic bag with uncooked white rice. Make sure the bag is big enough to completely submerge the phone, battery and SIM in the rice.

4. Submerge your cell phone, battery and SIM card in the rice and make sure all parts are completely covered.

5. Seal the plastic bag and leave the phone, battery and SIM in the rice overnight at a minimum. If possible, leave the phone and components to rest for 24 to 48 hours.

6. Remove the phone and its part from the rice and blow off the rice dust with the compressed air.

7. Assemble the cell phone and turn it on to see if it is working.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use brown rice if you do not have white rice on hand.

• Never use a hair dryer or any other appliance that generates heat to dry your cell phone. The heat can damage your phone even on a lowest setting.

References

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