Water-Damaged Phone? Do This First

Your phone is wet. Stop. Don't reach for the rice — the rice myth doesn't work and can make things worse. Here's what actually saves a soaked phone.

In the first 60 seconds

1. Power it off immediately. Do not press buttons to check if it works. Water + power = corroded circuit board. 2. Get it out of the water. Take it out of pockets, cases, anything that traps moisture. 3. Remove the SIM tray to start drainage. 4. Wipe the outside dry with a clean cloth — including the charging port and speakers. 5. Hold it screen-down to let water drain out of the speaker grilles and charging port.

In the first hour

• Do NOT plug it in to "see if it still charges"
• Do NOT put it in rice — rice grains and dust get trapped in the ports, and rice is not a desiccant
• Do NOT use a hairdryer on hot — this pushes water further inside and can warp components
• DO place it on a cloth in a warm, dry room (airing cupboard is ideal)
• DO consider silica gel packs (the ones from shoeboxes) in a sealed bag if you have any

After 48 hours

Wait at least 48 hours before powering on. When you do:

• If it boots normally — great, but assume corrosion is starting internally. Get it professionally cleaned within a week.
• If it boots with screen issues, no sound, or no charging — bring it to a repair shop immediately. Ultrasonic cleaning within the first week can save it.
• If it doesn't boot at all — a proper repair shop can often recover your data even if the phone is dead.

Is it covered?

• Most modern iPhones (XS and later) are IP67 or IP68 rated — splash and 1–6m of water for 30 minutes
• That rating degrades with age and any drop
• Water damage is NOT covered by standard Apple or Samsung warranty. AppleCare+ covers it for an excess fee.

When to call us

If your phone has been in the sea, a swimming pool or a fizzy drink — salt and sugar accelerate corrosion fast. Bring it in today; tomorrow may be too late.

Book a water damage repair.