Did you ever leave it in your pocket and run it through the washer? Did you ever swim with your cell phone in your pocket? Ever have it fall into the pet’s water bowl? Getting your cell phone wet usually means you have to replace it, but sometimes if you’re fast enough, you might be able to save the phone. A longer period of immersion, such as being in the washing machine cycle, will be cause for more alarm but it is still worth trying the following steps before giving up completely.
Before you give in to frustration, consider taking the following steps to help you save a wet cell phone and the expense of purchasing a new one. Follow the steps outlined in this article to try and save your wet cell phone.
1. Remove The Phone From The Water
The first step is to remove the phone from the water as soon as possible. The less time the phone spends submerged, the greater chance it has of being saved. The plastic covers that come with cell phones do provide some protection, but it takes a mere twenty seconds or less for water to get through these barriers and start causing damage to your phone. Once you pull the phone from the water, remove the battery immediately. Cutting power is a crucial step when attempting to save a wet cell phone. There are many circuits inside cell phones that can survive getting wet, but only if they are not attached to a power source. If your cell phone comes with a SIM card, remove it promptly.
2. Let Your Phone Dry
The next step you must take to save a wet cell phone is to allow the phone to dry. A great method in providing an optimum drying environment is to set the phone on the vent found on the back of a television set or cable box. The low heat emitted will gently dry your cell phone. Another trick to help speed drying is to place the phone in a bowl of dry rice. This will help draw out the moisture. You can also try placing the phone in a plastic baggie with a few silica packs that come in purchases such as shoes and electronics. Silica, like rice, absorbs moisture. The important part of the drying process is to place the phone uncovered, in a warm, dry place and allow the moisture to evaporate completely.
3. Alternative Drying Methods
There is an alternative way to save a wet cell phone that includes an alcohol soak. Alcohol is hygroscopic which means that it attracts water. Soaking your phone in denatured alcohol, or a 95% alcohol solution (regular rubbing alcohol is about 75%), soaks up all the water in the phone. When the liquid is dumped out, only alcohol, which will evaporate, remains. Make sure that the alcohol you use is denatured with only methanol as the chemicals found in other types can be damaging.
4. Battery Caution
When attempting to save a wet cell phone, make sure you do not heat the battery as it could leak or even explode. Lithium-ion batteries are especially sensitive. In addition, many cell phones have plastic parts that can melt. Above all, do not try to save a wet cell phone by placing it in a microwave. You will destroy the electronic components and possibly the microwave in the process.
You can be as careful as you can, but you still might not be able to avoid spillage or leakage that can come near this device. Moreover, protect your phone with a durable and water-resistant cell phone case. Cell phone cases, along with other cool cell phone accessories, are widely available in many online stores.
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