What to Do Immediately When Your Phone Gets Wet? What Never to Do?  

(Key points: Don’t use a hair dryer, avoid plugging in, don’t shake)

It happens in a second — your phone slips into a sink, falls into the toilet, gets splashed at the pool, or gets caught in the rain. Even water-resistant phones are not immune to water damage, especially when exposed to soap, salt water, chlorine, or carbonated drinks.

Knowing exactly what to do in the first few minutes can make the difference between saving your phone and losing it permanently. Here’s a complete guide on what to do immediately when your phone gets wet and what you should never do.

What to Do Immediately When Your Phone Gets Wet

  1. Turn Off the Phone Right Away

If the screen is still on, shut it off immediately. Water and electricity do not mix.  Keeping the phone powered on can short internal circuits and cause permanent, irreversible damage.

Do NOT plug it in, even if the battery is low.

  1. Remove Case, Accessories, and SIM Card

Take off the phone case, remove any pop sockets, detach chargers, and pull out the SIM card tray.  These areas trap moisture, so exposing them helps the phone dry faster.  If your phone has a removable memory card, take that out too.

  1. Gently Dry the Outside With a Microfiber Cloth

Pat the phone dry — never wipe aggressively.  Avoid shaking it, as that can push water deeper into the device.

Focus on:

  • Charging port
  • Speaker holes
  • Microphones
  • Buttons
  • Camera lenses
  1. Allow Gravity to Help

Tilt the phone so excess water can naturally drain out. Hold the phone upright with the charging port facing downward. This helps liquid escape without forcing it deeper.

  1. Use Cool, Gentle Airflow

If available, use:

  • A fan
  • A cool hair dryer setting
  • A low-heat air purifier

Keep the airflow indirect but not too close.  Warm air can help evaporation, but excessive heat can cause more damage. The industry more recommends "natural ventilation + silica gel desiccant" (silica gel has a water absorption rate more than 3 times that of rice and is free of dust pollution) rather than a "hair dryer".

  1. Leave the Phone to Dry for 24–48 Hours

Place the phone in a dry, room-temperature area with good airflow.

Popular drying setups include:

  • A well-ventilated shelf
  • A desk fan blowing across the phone
  • A silica gel or desiccant pack container (these work better than rice)
  • Avoid enclosed spaces with heat, such as near windows or heaters.
  1. Check for Moisture Indicator on Newer Phones

 Many modern phones have moisture warning sensors. If you see an alert:

  • Do not charge
  • Continue drying
  • Retest after several hours
  1. Test the Phone Carefully After It Has Dried

Once completely dried, turn the phone on.

Check:

  • Touchscreen responsiveness
  • Speakers
  • Microphones
  • Charging
  • Cameras
  • Buttons

If any issues appear (distortion, muffled sound, ghost touches), moisture may still be inside.