Tool
Wet phone checklist
Tick each step as you finish it. The page saves your ticks on this device only. Each step has a short reason and a source.
0 of 11 steps done
Before the tone
Why: Power on in water can cause more damage. Google says to turn the phone off. iFixit says to disconnect power as soon as it is safe. Taking off the case is our own step. iFixit goes further and recommends opening the device. Do not open a phone unless you know how. Google Pixel Help: wet phone advice, iFixit: Electronics water damage
Why: Charging a wet connector can corrode the pins and cause permanent damage. Apple: If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone
Why: This helps loose water leave the connector. Apple gives this step. Apple: If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone, Apple: About splash, water and dust resistance of iPhone
Why: Pressing can push liquid further in. Xiaomi says to wipe without pressing. Xiaomi: Earpiece dust mesh blocked by liquid
Why: The tone needs a working phone. Apple and iFixit advise drying and service for a phone that stays off. Apple: If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone, iFixit: Electronics water damage
Run the tone
Why: In an iFixit test for The Verge, a low tone pushed droplets out of the speaker area only. It did not clear the USB port or the SIM slot. The Verge, Aug 2024: Does the YouTube water-removal sound work? (iFixit dye test)
After the tone
Why: Apple lists these as things to avoid. iFixit says rice will not help. Apple: If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone, Apple: About splash, water and dust resistance of iPhone, iFixit: Electronics water damage
Why: Apple's water-resistance page says at least 5 hours. Apple's liquid-alert page says to try charging after at least 30 minutes if no alert shows, and to leave the phone in a dry place with airflow for up to a day. Android makers give no single wait time. Google says to let the phone dry at room temperature. Samsung says to dry it and avoid heat. Wireless charging is fine once the back is dry. Apple: If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone, Apple: About splash, water and dust resistance of iPhone
Why: Samsung says to rinse salt water off with fresh water and dry the device. General advice: if the liquid was not fresh water, seek service. Samsung UK: Troubleshooting speaker and sound issues on a Samsung Galaxy device
Why: Apple says water in the speaker port might degrade speaker or microphone performance until it evaporates. Apple: About splash, water and dust resistance of iPhone
Why: The same Apple page says speaker sound may stay weak until the water evaporates. Samsung says normal use can clear moisture from the mesh. Apple: About splash, water and dust resistance of iPhone, Samsung: What to do when a device is exposed to water and the call sound is affected
Wet phone drying timer
Wait at least 5 hours before you charge with a cable. This is Apple's rule for a wet iPhone. Apple's liquid-alert page allows a first try after 30 minutes if no alert shows. Waiting longer is safer. Android makers give no single wait time. Google says to let the phone dry at room temperature. Samsung says to dry it and avoid heat. Wireless charging is fine once the back is dry.
Tip: add this page to your home screen so the timer is easy to find again.
Prevent it next time
A waterproof pouch keeps liquid out of a phone near water. It does not make a phone safe to submerge. Check the pouch rating first.
This is a general product search link.
What to do after your phone gets wet
The checklist above lists each step with its source. This summary gives the order and the reasons. Power on or charging while the phone is wet can cause more damage. So stop the power first.
1. Stop the power
Take the phone out of the water. Power it off if it was submerged or soaked. Google says to turn the phone off. iFixit says to disconnect power as soon as this is safely possible. Do not plug in a cable.
2. Remove loose water
Take off the case. Wipe the outside without pressing. Tap the phone gently against your hand with the connector facing down. Apple says to place the iPhone speaker side down on a lint-free cloth and see if water drips out.
3. Dry the phone in air
Leave the phone in a dry place with airflow at room temperature. Xiaomi says a dry, airy spot or silica gel packets nearby can speed this up. Do not use heat. General advice: a hair dryer is a source of heat. Do not use compressed air. iFixit says rice will not help.
4. Wait before you charge
No single wait time fits every phone. Apple says to wait at least 5 hours before you charge with a cable. Apple's liquid-alert page allows a first try after 30 minutes if no alert shows. Waiting longer is safer. Android makers give no single wait time. Google says to let the phone dry at room temperature. Wireless charging is fine once the back is dry. Use the drying timer below.
5. Know why charging is risky
Corrosion is damage to metal contacts. Apple says charging a wet connector can corrode the pins.
6. Salty or other liquids
If the liquid was salty, one Android maker says to rinse the salt off with fresh water and dry the device. General advice: if the liquid was soap or a sugary drink, ask a repair shop.
7. Ask for repair when needed
If the phone stays off, or the sound stays weak after a day, ask a repair shop. Google says water damage is not covered by warranty.
For a wet port, read the port guide. For the first hour, read the first aid guide.
Still muffled after a day?
Use the problem finder for the most likely cause. Or read the first aid guide. Open the problem finder
Sources
- Apple: If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone
- Apple: About splash, water and dust resistance of iPhone
- Google Pixel Help: wet phone advice
- iFixit: Electronics water damage
- Samsung: What to do when a device is exposed to water and the call sound is affected
- Xiaomi: Earpiece dust mesh blocked by liquid
- The Verge, Aug 2024: Does the YouTube water-removal sound work? (iFixit dye test)
- Samsung UK: Troubleshooting speaker and sound issues on a Samsung Galaxy device