8 steps to repair a water-damaged phone

Water-damaged phone: Wherever we go to enjoy the warmer weather, from the beach to the boat, our phones are generally right there with us. However, keeping them above water should prove to be difficult. Data from 2021 Asurion claims shows that June through August is the busiest season of the year for phone repair claims for water damage.

So, how can you shield your phone from liquid damage the best? This issue frequently arises for Asurion Experts as they assist our 300 million customers (and counting) with all of their tech care requirements. They urge you to get a waterproof pouch.

Although some of the most recent phones are marketed as “waterproof,” they only offer protection if submerged for a specific amount of time. To understand more, read our article on the differences between waterproof and water-resistant phones. CaliCase® or JOTO® waterproof phone pouches will aid in keeping your phone afloat.

Here are some instructions for how to remove water from your phone in case your device does fall into the water.

How to dry your phone after being wet

If you drop your phone in water or it gets wet, follow these instructions:

1. First, it needs to be removed from the liquid as soon as possible. The longer a liquid remains in an inlet, the more it seeps into those inlets.
2. After turning off the phone, leave it off.
3. Remove the shield-like covering.
4. Open the rear if possible and remove the microSD card, battery, and SIM card (if you have one). Have you had issues removing the SIM card? View our user manual for the iPhone and Android.
5. Use a cloth or paper towel to dry your phone. Refrain from rubbing the phone as doing so could unintentionally push liquids into the device’s more delicate regions. If it was completely submerged, you might try (very) quietly vacuuming near the phone.
6. Avoid exposing your phone to the heat of the sun. Keep it in a dry, cool place.
7. If your phone gets wet, do not follow any advice you may have heard to put it in rice. Instead, try silica gel packets, like those that usually come with new products like a pair of shoes, as they have been shown to be much more effective. Put the phone inside a plastic bag with a zip-top closure that contains silica gel packets. Place your phone in the bag for 24 to 48 hours.
8. Finally, after it has fully dried, turn on your phone. If it doesn’t start right away, charge it fully before attempting again.

Dry your phone after being wet

If your phone restarts, that’s excellent! Nevertheless, keep an eye on it over the coming week or so because occasionally, certain functions won’t function as intended.

We’re close by if you’ve tried these suggestions but still need a little assistance. Your gadget can be fixed as soon as the same day if you schedule a repair at the nearby uBreakiFix® by Asurion or Asurion Tech Repair & SolutionsTM location.

What signs of water damage can you look for on your phone?

There are a few indicators that your gadget has suffered water damage:

• Look beneath the screen for any signs of water or evaporation (or dried water traces).
• Look for noticeable corrosion at the ports.
• Be sure to look at the Discolored Liquid Damage Indicator (LDI). The headphone jack, battery compartment, or SIM tray slot are the traditional locations for the LDI. The LDI will show up crimson or maroon if there is water damage to your phone.

Does rice restore phones with water damage?

Putting your water-exposed smartphone in rice may help it absorb some moisture, according to Asurion Experts. It might, however, also result in additional problems for your phone, such as the entry of dust and dried starch (a rice byproduct) into its crevices and cracks. Additionally, rice has the potential to get stuck in your phone’s charging port or headphone socket, which may be quite challenging to remove because rice expands when exposed to fluids.

Can you dry a wet phone using a blow dryer?

It is not advised to blow-dry your phone after it has been exposed to water. While it might partially dry the wetness on the surface, it won’t do much to dry the moisture inside your smartphone, and the heat could permanently harm your phone.

How can water be cleared out of a charging port?

These are the procedures to follow in order to get water out of a phone’s charging port:

• Switch off the gadget.
• Remove the case from your phone if it is in one.
• Take the battery out (if you can).
• With a dry, absorbent towel, clean the gadget.
• Carefully blow on the surplus fluid to remove it, or use compressed air to do it.
• Place it somewhere to dry out, open ports facing downward.

Is water damage covered by Asurion?

When it comes to your smartphone insurance policy, putting your phone into water will normally terminate the manufacturer’s warranty instantly (many smartphones include indicators that change colors when wet). If your phone is protected, you can submit a claim at any time at asurion.com.

Frequently Asked Questions;

What is the cost to repair awater-damaged phone?

While some water damage repair calls for new parts, others only require liquid cleaning. Additionally, labor will a cost to you. Depending on the phone model and the extent of the damage, these repairs can cost anywhere from $30 to well over $500.

Do phones genuinely benefit from rice?

On numerous websites, it advises placing wet devices in a bag of uncooked rice to draw the water out. But, according to Beinecke, that is ineffective and may also cause the phone to pick up dust and starch.

How can a phone that was dropped into the water and won’t switch on be fixed?

Put your phone within the rice, seal the container or ziplock bag tightly, and keep it somewhere dry. Use packs made of silica gel or oatmeal as alternatives. Give the phone at least 24 to 48 hours in the rice. Ideally, avoid even attempting to remove the phone to see if it has begun to function.

How long does it take water on a phone to dry out?

The bare minimum is 24 hours; if at all possible, aim for 48 or more. Before then, don’t press the power button to “try it out” or “see if it’s fixed yet.” Still, water can easily transfer electricity to areas of the circuit board where it not intending if there is any inside.