Even if you buy a smartphone with water protection, dropping it in water will likely cause panic. You might immediately try to turn on the screen, check the speaker, or plug in the charger. But should you? It’s important to understand how dangerous water in a phone can be, what to do if such “contact” occurs, and whether you can use the device right after.
Use it or wait first?
Is Water Dangerous for a Smartphone
Even if you have a water-protected smartphone, that doesn’t mean it’s completely invulnerable. Protection rated IP67, IP68, or IP69 means the body can withstand brief exposure to moisture, but it doesn’t guarantee complete safety in every situation.
For example, a waterproof smartphone can survive a drop into clean water at a shallow depth, but seawater, beverages, or dirty liquids are much more dangerous. Additionally, seals wear out over time, and the protection becomes weaker.
The situation is scary but not hopeless
If a smartphone gets into water, condensation or moisture may appear inside, which doesn’t immediately cause a malfunction but over time leads to corrosion. Therefore, even with water protection, you shouldn’t assume that nothing bad has happened.
What to Do If Your Smartphone Falls in Water
If your phone falls in water, the main thing is not to panic and not to try turning it on right away. The faster you disconnect the power and remove moisture, the greater the chance that the device will work normally. If you dropped your smartphone in water, first you need to turn it off and wipe the body with a dry cloth. After that, you should remove moisture from the speakers and ports.
It’s helpful to take the following steps:
- turn off the smartphone;
- remove the case and SIM tray;
- wipe the body with a dry cloth;
- leave the device in a dry place;
- do not dry it with a hair dryer or place it on a radiator;
- do not shake the smartphone so that water doesn’t go deeper inside.
After the smartphone has dried out, you can use the speaker water cleaning function on Android. It activates vibration and helps push water out. You can find it in the settings or through special service menus. There are also apps that play sound at a specific frequency to remove moisture.
Can You Charge a Wet Smartphone
The most dangerous mistake is plugging in the charger right after contact with water. Charging a wet phone can lead to a short circuit and board damage. Even if the device works, moisture may remain inside. When you connect the cable, electricity passes through the port, and this increases the risk of damage.
You shouldn’t plug a wet smartphone into a charger
Therefore, after a smartphone has been in water and dried, it’s better to wait several hours, and sometimes a full day, before plugging in the charger. Many modern models display a moisture warning for the port — you should not ignore it.
Can You Use a Wet Smartphone
If a smartphone turns on after water exposure, that doesn’t mean everything is fine. Moisture could remain inside the body and cause problems over time. It’s better not to use the device right after it falls in water. You especially shouldn’t launch heavy apps, plug in the charger, or put a load on the processor.
Even if it’s a water-protected smartphone, after contact with liquid it needs time to fully dry out. In most cases, it’s safer to leave the device unused for several hours. The main rule is simple: if your smartphone fell in water, don’t rush to check if it works. A few hours of waiting can save your device from serious damage.
