Symptoms
- Phone was submerged briefly
- Screen looks fine but you're not sure about internal damage
- Water visible under the screen or in the camera lens
- Phone still powers on
Likely causes
- CommonWater hasn't reached internal components yetModern phones have water resistance ratings that buy you time if you act quickly.
- PossibleWater shorted a component when phone was powered onDamage is more likely if the phone was on and charging when it got wet.
- CommonWater trapped in speaker or portCauses muffled sound or charging issues even if the phone otherwise works.
What to do
- Remove the phone from water immediately and power it off if it isn't already.
- Do not charge it, press buttons excessively, or plug in headphones while wet.
- Dry the outside with a soft towel and gently shake out water from ports and speakers, port facing down.
- Leave it in a dry, room-temperature spot (not rice, not a warm oven) for at least 24–48 hours before turning it on.
- After drying, power it on and check the screen, speakers, mic, and charging before trusting it fully.
- If it won't turn on after drying, plug it in and wait 30–60 minutes before trying again — the battery may just need a charge.
Tools and parts
- Soft towel
When to call a pro
If the phone won't power on after 48 hours of drying, or the screen shows water spots, take it to a repair shop for internal cleaning before the water causes corrosion.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.