Water resistance in modern phones protects against splashes and a short dip, but it weakens with age and drops, and it doesn’t protect against sea water, pool water or sugary drinks. Once liquid gets in, corrosion starts on the board within hours.
Do this right away
- Take the phone out of the water and switch it off if it’s on. Don’t charge it.
- Remove the case, SIM and memory card.
- Dry the outside with a soft cloth and stand the phone port-down so water can drain.
- Bring it to us the same day if you can — especially after salt water or a sugary drink.
Never do this
- Don’t put it in rice: rice doesn’t pull water out of the inside, and it can leave dust and starch in the ports.
- Don’t use a hot hair dryer: heat can damage the adhesive, the screen and the battery.
- Don’t switch it on to test it: power plus water is what burns components.
What we do at the shop
We open the phone, disconnect the battery, clean corrosion off the board with a special solution, then dry it and test every circuit. The sooner the phone reaches us, the better the chances of saving it — and its photos.
