What you do in the first few minutes after your phone gets wet matters more than anything you do afterward. Acting fast — and avoiding a few common mistakes — meaningfully improves the odds of a full recovery.
Power it off immediately
If the phone is still on, turn it off right away. Electricity and water together are what cause the most serious internal damage, and cutting power reduces that risk significantly.
Do not charge it
Never plug in a wet phone to charge or to check if it still works — this is one of the most common mistakes people make and can cause a short circuit that wasn't there before.
Dry the outside thoroughly
Wipe down every visible surface, port, and speaker grille with a soft cloth. Gently shake the phone (screen facing down) to help water escape from ports and openings.
Skip the rice
Rice is a popular myth, but it's not very effective and can leave dust or starch in the ports. A sealed container with silica gel packets works better if you want to try drying it at home.
Wait before turning it back on
Give it at least 24-48 hours to dry out fully before attempting to power it on or charge it. Turning it on too early is one of the most common ways otherwise-recoverable water damage turns permanent.
If the phone won't turn on after drying, or you're not confident it's fully dry, professional inspection and cleaning gives you the best chance of recovery — the longer moisture and residue sit inside, the more corrosion damage builds up.
Still having trouble?
Call now or send us a message and describe what's going on — we'll help you figure out next steps.