Quick answer
Take the phone out of the water, turn it off, and do not charge it. Remove the case and SIM tray, wipe it dry, and skip the bag of rice. Then bring it to a repair shop quickly, because corrosion inside the phone causes most damage days later.
Pool, toilet, sink, or a spilled drink: water damage can happen to anyone. What you do in the first hour matters most. Follow these steps to give your phone the best chance.
1. Take it out and turn it off
Get the phone out of the water and power it off right away. Electricity plus water is what causes short circuits on the board, so a phone that is off has a much better chance.
2. Do not charge it
Plugging in a wet phone is one of the fastest ways to damage the charging port and the board. Do not connect a charger or wireless pad until the phone has been checked.
3. Remove the case and SIM tray
Take off the case and pop out the SIM tray so trapped water can escape.
4. Dry the outside gently
Wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not use a hair dryer, oven, or microwave. Heat can damage the battery, screen, and glue seals.
5. Skip the bag of rice
Rice does not pull water out from inside a phone, and rice dust and starch can get into the ports. It mostly just wastes time.
6. Do not shake it or press buttons
Shaking can move water deeper inside. Pressing buttons over and over to “see if it works” can cause a short circuit.
7. Get it checked as soon as possible
Even if the phone seems fine, water left inside slowly causes corrosion on the board. Corrosion is what usually kills a phone days or weeks later, so a fast cleaning makes a real difference.
Water damage repair at ART & FIX
We open the device, clean liquid and corrosion off the board, test each part, and replace what is damaged. When needed, we also do board-level repair. Water damage repair can take longer than a screen or battery repair, and we will give you a free estimate and a time estimate when you drop it off. Learn more on our services page.
Frequently asked questions
Does putting a wet phone in rice work?
No. Rice does not pull water out from inside a phone, and rice dust can get into the ports. It mostly wastes time you could use to get the phone cleaned.
Should I charge my phone after it gets wet?
No. Charging a wet phone can short-circuit the charging port and the board. Wait until it has been checked.
Can a water-damaged phone be fixed?
Often, yes. ART & FIX cleans liquid and corrosion from the board, replaces damaged parts, and does board-level repair when needed. The sooner you bring it in, the better the chances.
Phone repair in Merced at ART & FIX
ART & FIX repairs phones, tablets, laptops, and computers at 1034 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340. We are open every day, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, and every repair comes with a 30-day repair warranty.
Call or text (209) 446-7200 before you come, or send us your device model and problem for a free estimate.