What to do when your smartphone/tablet gets wet

Water, or liquids, is one of the main enemies of electronic devices including smartphones and tablets. And getting your precious gadget submerged is a nightmare we don’t want to happen. That said, you might want to keep it dry all the time unless it’s water-resistant, but in case it isn’t here’s what you can do.

1. Make sure it’s off and don’t try to switch it on.

When a smartphone gets submerged in water, our initial reaction is to try to turn it on and see if it still works. Don’t! There’s a big chance that you might short-circuit the whole thing. Don’t attempt to plug it to a charger either. Instead, do the next step.

2. Wipe off excess water.

Assuming the smartphone is dripping wet, you will need to wipe off or blot excess water with a very absorbent cloth. This helps in removing droplets in tiny areas like ports and earpiece.

3. Remove everything removable.

Remove the back cover, battery (if it’s removable), SIM cards, SIM trays, and microSD cards right away. If there are water droplets, also wipe or blot them off. If you’re using a protective case, you should remove that as well.

4. Forget uncooked rice, go for silica gel packets.

The old suggestion is to put your phone in a jar filled with uncooked rice as it will absorb the moisture out. The problem with rice is that the grains can get inside your smartphone through ports or small openings. It also has a powdery residue that can further ruin your phone’s internals.

The best method is to use silica gel packets – small white bags that contain moisture-absorbing granules. These packets are usually found in newly-purchased bags and shoes. You can also buy a pack in hardware stores. Once you have a bunch of those just put them in a jar or resealable plastic bag, the more, the better, along with your phone. If your phone has port covers or SIM trays, make sure to leave them open. Keep it there for 2 to 3 days.

5. Switch it on.

At this point, we can assume that the water inside your phone has completely dried out and you can now put back the battery or plug it to a charger to see if it still works. If it does, congratulations! However, this is not to say that your phone is completely problem free as some phones tend to develop problems over time due to water exposure. If you’re not looking to replace your phone anytime soon then better…

6. Have it checked.

If your phone is developing symptoms or you want to be sure that it is still in good working condition then bring it to a nearby authorized service center and have it checked. Do note though that water damage voids your warranty so you might have to bring out your wallet. On the bright side, replacing a faulty part often costs less than buying a new phone.

Like what they always say, prevention is better than cure. If your smartphone is allergic to water, make sure to buy accessories that give it water protection like cases and water-proof carrying pouches. And if you want to worry less about it and are willing to pay more, you can also opt for water-resistant smartphones.