How to dry your smartphone after water damage

If the phone was submerged in a liquid other than pure water, such as seawater or a sugary drink, Samsung advises rinsing it with clean water for a few minutes to remove impurities that could accelerate corrosion. Both companies suggest leaving the phone in a well-ventilated area, possibly with a fan, to air dry at room temperature. Google also recommends drying Pixel phones at room temperature.

Several methods should be avoided, including using a hair dryer, compressed air, placing the phone in a freezer, or putting it on a radiator or in a tumble dryer. While wireless charging might be an option in emergencies if the phone has the capability, powering up or charging with a cable is strongly discouraged.

For those seeking an alternative to rice, silica gel is a highly effective drying agent. These beads, often found in product packaging, can absorb significant moisture and work best when the phone is placed in an airtight container with them. Determining when a phone is completely dry is difficult, but it is advisable to wait at least a few days. Samsung recommends having a service center inspect the device even after air-drying.

Many modern smartphones are designed with water resistance, allowing them to withstand submersion for a limited time and depth, but they are not fully waterproof. For example, newer iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones often have an IP68 rating, enabling them to be submerged for up to 30 minutes at specific depths, though this resistance can degrade over time due to normal wear and tear.