The Dreaded Water Incident
I’ll never forget the day I dropped my brand new smartphone into the kitchen sink. One minute I was happily scrolling through my social feeds, the next – plop! – it was taking an unplanned swim. My heart sank as I watched it slowly sink to the bottom, submerging completely under the soapy water. “Not again!” I thought, recalling the time I’d carelessly left my old phone in my back pocket and jumped into the pool. These water-related phone mishaps seem to happen to me way too often.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably experienced that sinking feeling of watching your precious smartphone take an unexpected dip. Whether it’s a tumble into the toilet, a slip from your hand into a glass of water, or an accidental submersion in the bathtub, dealing with a wet phone can be a real nightmare. But fear not, my fellow butterfingers – I’m here to share some tried-and-true tips to help you save your smartphone from a watery grave.
First Things First: Power Down
The most important step when your phone takes an unexpected swim is to power it off immediately. As Wired advises, don’t even think about pressing any other buttons or trying to use the device – just shut it off right away. This helps prevent any potential short circuits that could fry the internal components.
If your phone has a removable battery, go ahead and pop that out too. Getting the battery disconnected as soon as possible can make a big difference in saving your device. Of course, with most modern smartphones, the battery is sealed inside, so this step may not be an option. But the power-off part is crucial no matter what kind of phone you have.
Ditch the Rice, Embrace the Desiccant
You’ve probably heard the old wives’ tale about sticking your wet phone in a bag of rice to dry it out. Well, I’m here to tell you – that’s a myth! As Wired points out, rice is a pretty ineffective drying agent and can actually make things worse by leaving behind gritty residue in your phone’s nooks and crannies.
Instead, I recommend using silica gel desiccant packets. These little miracle workers are designed to absorb moisture, and they’re way more effective than rice. If you don’t have any desiccant packets on hand, you can order some from a computer repair service like IT Fix or find them in the packaging of various electronics. Just make sure to seal your phone and the desiccant in an airtight container and let it sit for 24-48 hours. Easy peasy!
Resist the Urge to Blow-Dry
It might seem like a good idea to speed up the drying process with a hairdryer or other source of hot air, but trust me – that’s a recipe for disaster. According to Wired, excessive heat can seriously damage the delicate electronics inside your phone. So back away from the hairdryer and let the desiccant do its thing.
Instead, gently wipe down the exterior of your phone with a clean, dry cloth. Make sure to pay special attention to any openings like the charging port, SIM card slot, and headphone jack (if your phone still has one). You want to remove any visible moisture, but don’t stick anything inside the ports or try to blow air into them. That could push the water deeper into the device, causing even more problems.
Patience is a Virtue
As frustrating as it is to have your phone out of commission, remember that rushing the drying process is never a good idea. Wired advises giving your phone at least 24 to 48 hours to fully dry out, sealed in that airtight container with the desiccant packets. Resist the urge to check on it or try to power it on – just leave it be and let the magic happen.
I know it’s tempting to want to see if your phone has survived the ordeal, but trust me, it’s worth the wait. I once tried to power on my water-logged phone after just a few hours, and ended up frying the entire system. Lesson learned the hard way! Take a deep breath, get yourself a new book to read, and let your phone have its well-deserved spa day.
Waterproofing is Your Friend
Of course, the best way to avoid these water-related phone disasters is to invest in a device with a high IP (Ingress Protection) rating. As Wired explains, phones with IP67 or IP68 ratings are designed to withstand submersion in water for short periods of time. So if you’re a chronic phone-dropper like me, definitely keep that in mind when upgrading your device.
But even if your current phone doesn’t have top-notch waterproofing, don’t lose hope. With the right drying techniques, you still have a good chance of reviving it after an accidental swim. Just remember: power down, use desiccant, and be patient. With a little bit of TLC, your smartphone can live to see another day – no matter how many times it takes an unplanned dip.
