What to Do If Your Phone Gets Wet or Falls in Water

Act fast but calmly. Here is exactly what to do — and what not to do — in the first hour after your phone gets wet, to give it the best chance of survival.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Get the phone out of water immediately and turn it off
2.Dry the outside gently and remove any case
3.Leave it in a dry place for at least 24-48 hours
4.Test the phone and know when to visit a repair shop

Get the phone out of water immediately and turn it off

~34s

Remove the phone from water as fast as possible. Hold it upright (screen up, charging port down) and shake it gently to dislodge water from the charging port, headphone jack, and speaker grills. If the phone is still on and responsive, turn it off immediately — press and hold the power button and select "Power off." Keeping electronics powered with water inside causes short circuits. Do not plug it in to charge.

Warning

Do not press any buttons repeatedly, shake the phone hard, or use a hair dryer or heat gun on it. Heat and excess motion push water further into the device.

Dry the outside gently and remove any case

~34s

Remove the phone from its case. Use a soft cloth or paper towels to gently pat the outside dry — especially around the charging port, speaker, and buttons. Hold the phone vertically with the charging port facing down and tap it gently against your hand to help water drain out. Do not rub the ports or grills — gentle pressure only.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: A can of compressed air (like Dust-Off, used for keyboards) can gently push water out of ports. Hold it about 2 inches away and spray in short bursts. Do not use a vacuum — static electricity can damage the phone.

Leave it in a dry place for at least 24-48 hours

~37s

Place the phone in a dry, room-temperature location with good airflow — not a drawer, not next to a heater. Some people place it near (not in) a fan. Leave it off for at least 24 hours, ideally 48 hours before trying to power it on. The longer you wait, the more moisture evaporates. Resist the urge to check if it works after just a few hours.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: Silica gel packets (the small packets that say "Do Not Eat" found in shoe boxes and packaging) actually do absorb moisture. If you have any, place the phone and several packets in a sealed bag together. This is more effective than rice.

Test the phone and know when to visit a repair shop

~27s

After 24-48 hours, try turning the phone on. Test calls, speakers, the camera, and the charging port. If anything doesn't work, the phone may need professional service. Take it to an Apple Store (Genius Bar), a Samsung Experience Store, or a reputable phone repair shop. Ask about water damage repair. Water damage may not be covered by a standard warranty, but many repairs are affordable. Mention how long it was submerged and in what type of water.

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Dropping your phone in water — whether in the sink, the toilet, or a puddle — triggers instant panic. But in most cases, there is a good chance your phone will survive if you act quickly and correctly.

Many modern smartphones (iPhone 12 and later, Samsung Galaxy S series, Google Pixel) are water-resistant, rated IP67 or IP68. This means they can survive being submerged in up to 1-2 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes in a lab setting. But water resistance degrades over time, and saltwater, pool water, or drops from height reduce protection. Even "water-resistant" phones can be damaged by water.

The most important thing to know right now: do NOT put your phone in rice. This is a popular myth. Rice does not absorb moisture from inside the phone, and the rice dust can cause new problems. Here is what actually works.

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