What Is the Fastest Way to Dry Out a Cell Phone?
Most cell phones are not intended to be submersible, but accidents do happen. Most cell phone warranties will not cover damage from water, but you might be able to save the phone yourself, if your reactions are fast enough. Unfortunately, there is no way to speed the drying process itself, but your phone’s continuing function will depend on how fast you can get the process started.
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Instructions
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1
Turn your phone off right away, or leave it switched off.
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2
Remove the battery from your phone immediately. Normally this involves sliding the back off the phone and prying or lifting the battery out. And, if appropriate, remove the SIM card as well (see your cell phone owner's manual for instructions).
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3
Use a wet-dry vacuum to suck any liquid out of your phone. Run the narrowest hose you have across every exposed portion of the phone, paying special attention to any cracks or crevices that water may have entered through. If you do not have access to a wet-dry vacuum, use a can of compressed air.
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4
Fill a bowl with dry rice. Bury the phone and its battery (still disconnected) and SIM card (if present) in the rice and leave it overnight (or for a minimum of 12 hours). This will help wick away any remaining moisture in the phone.
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5
Put the phone back together and turn it on to see if it survived the process, only after all evidence of moisture is gone.
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Tips & Warnings
You can substitute silica packets for the white rice, if you happen to have them on hand, but since speed is the priority here you should use whatever you can get your hands on first.
If your phone was exposed to salt water or sugary liquids like soda, flush it thoroughly with fresh water, between Steps 3 and 4, to prevent salt crystals or sticky sugar from lodging inside the phone.
Avoid the temptation to use a hairdryer or microwave to speed the drying process; the heat could do serious damage to your phone or even completely ruin it.
Do not soak your phone in rubbing alcohol; this may dissolve the adhesives in some of the phone’s more delicate components.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
