Take these steps immediately to help save your wet phone:
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Power off the phone. If the phone was off when it got wet, don't turn it on to see if it is working. This can short-circuit the components.
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Take out the battery.
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If you have a can of compressed air on hand, you can carefully blow out excess water. However, do not make a trip to the store if you don't have compressed air at home. Rather, move quickly to the next step in the drying process.
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Immerse all parts of the phone in a bowl of dry, uncooked rice and let them sit overnight. It may sound strange, but the rice will help pull the moisture out of the phone. You can also use silica gel packets—the same type as come in shoe boxes—although any you may find around the house have probably reached their maximum absorption capacity.
Note: If your phone has been dropped in salt water, rinse it in fresh water before trying to dry it. This may seem to be compounding the problem, but it can help keep the salts from corroding the phone and its parts.
WARNING: Don't use heat to dry the phone. Hair dryers, microwaves and conventional ovens can damage the delicate circuitry inside a cell phone.
Give your phone time to dry
This is an important part of the process. People often get impatient and want to check to see if the phone works. Be patient! If the phone is going to have a chance at drying out, it needs to be left alone in the rice. Turning on the phone may short-circuit the entire process.
A good rule of thumb is to wait 24 hours, and if you want to be thorough, flip the phone over and wait another 24 hours.
Once the drying period is over, reinsert the battery and power up the unit. If it does not turn on, take the battery out again and try powering up the phone using the charger. If it works, you just need a new battery. If it still doesn't work, it's time to consult a professional.
Explore options if your phone does not revive
Unfortunately, some wet cell phones are beyond repair, even if they are put through a patient drying process. If the phone does not turn on, take it to a store to find out if it can be fixed. If the worst is confirmed, take the opportunity to check on specials and upgrades that may be applied to a new phone.
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Be aware that most cell phone warranties don't cover water damage. You need insurance that specifically covers repair or replacement of a water-damaged phone.
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When seeking help, don't try to hide the fact that the phone got wet. Cell phones have indicators that show if moisture has damaged internal components. You're more likely to get effective help if you're upfront about the cause of the problem.
A final word of caution
Aside from removing the battery, don’t risk causing more damage to your wet cell phone by attempting to access its inner parts.
Disassembling your phone should only be done if you are comfortable with small electronics and have resigned yourself to the possibility that the phone is probably a lost cause.
It’s also easier and quicker for a service technician to diagnose and fix a problem when the product is assembled. In the end, you’ll save time and money.
