Phone Fell in Water: First Aid in 5 Steps

It happens faster than you think: a careless moment at the sink, a downpour on a bike ride, a jump into the pool with the phone in your swim shorts. Right now one thing matters above all: speed, and the right moves. Here is the first-aid guide.

Step 1: Get it out and switch it off immediately

Get the device out of the water as fast as possible and switch it off completely, even if it still works. Electricity plus water is the combination that causes short circuits and corrosion. Do not unlock it, do not quickly save a few photos: switch it off.

Step 2: SIM out, let it drip dry

Remove the SIM card (and, if present, the memory card and case) and hold the device with the ports facing down so water can drain. Dab it dry gently, do not shake it, that only spreads the water further inside the housing.

Step 3: What you should never do

• No rice: The myth persists stubbornly but does nothing. Rice dust and starch tend to make things worse.
• No hairdryer, no radiator, no sun: Heat damages the battery and seals and drives moisture deeper into the device.
• Do not charge: The charging cable is off limits now, for at least 24 hours, wireless charging included.

Step 4: Let it dry, the right way

Place the device in a dry, well-ventilated spot at room temperature, ideally with the ports facing down. Silica gel sachets (from shoe boxes or shipping cartons) help, rice does not. Give the device at least 24, better 48 hours.

Step 5: Off to the repair shop, even if it works again

This is where the biggest mistake happens: the phone starts up again, everything seems fine, and three weeks later the camera or charging port dies. The reason is corrosion, which keeps working invisibly, especially after salt or chlorinated water. During professional water damage treatment the device is opened, cleaned, dried and fully tested, at our stores in Basel, Bern and Solothurn with no appointment needed.

And if the device did not make it?

Not every device can be saved, but your data often can: our data recovery retrieves photos and contacts even from devices that no longer turn on. And if a repair is no longer worth it: you can sell defective devices to us and put the proceeds towards a tested refurbished device.