Dropped your phone in water? Do this now
The first ten minutes decide whether a wet phone survives. Five steps to do immediately, and the rice myth to skip.
Last updated 2026-06-12 · 3 minute read · Applies to: iPhone, Samsung, Android, Apple Watch
Water damage is the one repair where what you do in the first ten minutes matters more than anything we do later. Corrosion starts while the power is on; every minute powered up is electrolysis eating the board. Here's the short version we give people over the phone.
1. Power it off. Now.
Don't check if it still works, don't film it for the group chat. Hold the power button and shut it down. If it's already off, leave it off. The urge to 'just test it' is how boards die.
2. Do not charge it
Plugging in a wet phone pushes current through wet circuits. It's the single most damaging thing you can do. Wireless charging counts too.
3. Get the case and SIM out
Remove the case, pop the SIM tray, and let the tray slot drain. Dab the outside dry with a towel. Don't shake it hard; that just moves water deeper.
4. Skip the rice
Rice doesn't reach the water inside the phone; it just wastes the 48 hours when treatment works best. Same for hair dryers: heat drives moisture further in and cooks adhesives. If you can't get to us today, leave the phone off in a dry, airy spot.
5. Bring it in fast, even if it seems fine
A phone that 'survived' often dies 2–6 weeks later from creeping corrosion. Professional treatment (open, clean, treat the board) works best within 48 hours. Assessment is free before any quoted work.
Warning: Salt and chlorine accelerate corrosion dramatically. If it went into the ocean, a pool or a spa, power off and bring it in the same day if at all possible.
Frequently asked questions
My phone is 'water resistant'. Am I fine?
IP ratings are tested with fresh water, on a new phone, with intact seals. Age, drops and heat degrade the seals, and ratings never cover salt or soapy water. Treat any real soaking as an emergency.
It still works. Do I really need to bring it in?
Working today doesn't mean clean inside. The cheap option is an inspection now; the expensive one is a corroded board later, often after the data was never backed up.
What does treatment involve?
We open the device, disconnect the battery, remove shields, clean the board properly and assess component damage. We provide a free water-damage assessment before quoting any work.
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