Q&A for How to Save a Wet Cell Phone

For many newer devices, the battery is not user-removable. In cases where the battery is not user-removable, visit your local repair shop as soon as possible in order to have the device professionally disassembled and inspected. If you have an Apple device such as an iPhone, you should inquire whether you have AppleCare on the device. AppleCare is insurance for your device. If you do not have AppleCare, visiting your local repair shop is advised as Apple does not service liquid damaged components—they either replace the device in its entirety (which is more expensive for the customer) or replace the component as a whole instead of repairing it, which also results in higher cost to the customer.

In many cases, rice can cause even more damage. When the rice is exposed to enough liquid, it can leave a residue. I have seen this residue in the charging ports of devices. It's better to take your phone to a repair shop.

Even if your phone seems to be working, it can still be damaged. Sometimes devices can function for a day or up to a week before the liquid causes enough damage to decommission the device. You should visit a repair shop even if your phone seems to be working. The longer the liquid is inside the device the more damage it can cause.

Take it to a professional phone fixer. Or maybe try putting it in rice longer.

You don't have to. You might have to put it in rice more than 24 hours though.

Depending on the situation, it can take overnight to three days. You could leave it in for three to five days to be completely sure.

If your phone is turning on and off continuously, that means that there is still some water damage happening inside your phone. If the rice, vacuum, or other methods are not working, seek professional help. Often they can fix it in no time.

Rice will absorb the water, which is very helpful if you want your phone to wok again. Read through the article for a variety of solutions. The question and answer section isn't a shortcut for the details offered above.

You shouldn't have to worry, you can still put it in a bag of rice and leave it to dry for at least a day.

Rice draws moisture like out of the air, so it will pull the wet from the phone, including its speakers.

It depends on the cereal. Cereals like rice bubbles would work, but cereals like nutri-grain, corn flakes, and Special K will not help your phone dry.

Take it to a person who specializes in fixing phones. After trying the methods here, it needs professional attention if it still won't work.

Cover your iPhone with white/black/yellow/wild rice in a large resealable plastic bag (Ziplock) where the iPhone fits in, then let it sit for about 24 hours.

You can put the phone in any container filled with rice, just make sure the phone is completely submerged.

There's no guarantee, but it could. Try it and see.

Just get a vacuum and suck the rice out. If it is in the charging port it should come out quite easily, but if it's in the speaker port it will be harder to get out.

Take your phone to the store where you bought it to see if it can be saved.

Since it's wet, you shouldn't be charging it. Charging will ruin it more.

Turn off power to the outlet, and then unplug the charger. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck moisture out of your phone, and put your phone in a bowl of instant rice or surround it with silica gel packets. Wait for 48-72 hours before trying to turn it on.

It may prevent water damage, depending on the type of case it is. If you are using one that is merely decorative and not specified as waterproof, then probably not. However, if you are using something like a life proof case or one specified as waterproof, then it will probably protect better from water damage. Contact the manufacturer or retailer of your case for more advice.

It sometimes takes up to three or more days for a phone to properly work if it's in rice. If the steps don't work, you probably have to take it to a specialist or buy a new phone.

Tidy cat soaks in the water to prevent damage. It is like putting your phone in rice after it falls in water.

No, it shouldn't.

The safest amount of time to wait is 48-72 hours. If you try to turn on your phone before it's completely dry, it may cause permanent damage.

Pop off your cell phone case (after drying phone with a towel), then remove battery and put it in a bag of rice. The article explains all.

Remove the phone battery, place the phone in a ziplock bag with dry rice and let it sit for at least 24 hours to dry completely.

yes, however, it seems to be a necessary evil in order to restore your phone.

That's not the best idea, try the rice method because a hairdryer on a lukewarm setting can damage the phone, so the oven would probably break it.

Unfortunately, you cannot. The best option would be to take it to the Apple Store and get them to repair it for you.

Submerge the entire phone in rice overnight when you sleep or during the entire day. The longer the better, but it is not necessary for the phone to be in the rice longer than 36 hours.