What to Do If You Drop Your Phone in Water (Step-by-Step)

The Moment It Happens

It happens in an instant - your phone slips from your hand and lands in a sink, toilet, pool, or puddle. Your heart sinks. But don't panic. Quick action can save your device.

At Unlimited Cheap Talk Wireless in Decatur, we see water-damaged phones weekly. Last month alone, we repaired 47 water-damaged devices. The ones that were brought in quickly after the incident had a 90% success rate. The ones that sat for days? Much lower.

Immediate Actions (First 30 Seconds)

Time is critical. Every second matters when your phone is submerged.

1. Retrieve immediately: Don't wait, get it out of the water now
2. Power off instantly: If it's still on, hold the power button to shut down immediately. Water + electricity = short circuit
3. Don't press anything: Resist the urge to check if it works. Pressing buttons can push water deeper inside

First 5 Minutes: Critical Steps

These next steps can make the difference between a $79 repair and a $400+ replacement.

Step 1: Remove Everything

Take out the SIM card, SD card (if applicable), and case immediately. These can trap moisture. We've seen phones where the SIM card slot held water, causing corrosion that spread to the logic board.

Step 2: Dry the Exterior

Use a microfiber cloth or soft towel to gently pat dry. Don't rub - rubbing can push water into ports. Pay special attention to the charging port, speakers, and any openings.

Step 3: Remove Water from Ports

Hold the phone with the charging port facing down and gently shake. You can also use compressed air (like a can of keyboard cleaner), but hold it upright and use short bursts. Don't shake the can - that releases liquid propellant which is worse than water.

The Drying Process

Now comes the waiting game. This is where many people make mistakes.

What Works: Silica Gel

The best method is silica gel packets (those "Do Not Eat" packets in shoeboxes and electronics). Place your phone in a sealed container with several packets for 24-48 hours. Silica gel is much more effective than rice.

The Rice Method: Fact vs. Fiction

Rice works, but not as well as people think. Rice can absorb some moisture, but it takes much longer and rice starch can get into your phone's ports. If rice is your only option, it's better than nothing, but silica gel is superior.

What NOT to Do

• Don't use a hairdryer: Heat can damage internal components and push moisture deeper
• Don't put in microwave or oven: This will destroy your phone completely
• Don't charge it: Never attempt to charge a wet phone - this can cause permanent damage
• Don't turn it on: Wait at least 24-48 hours before attempting to power on

After 24-48 Hours: Testing

Once the waiting period is over, carefully test your phone:

1. Inspect for any visible moisture in ports
2. Try powering it on
3. Test basic functions: touchscreen, speakers, charging
4. Check camera, buttons, and connectivity

When to Bring It to Us

Even if your phone appears to work after drying, we recommend professional cleaning. Water damage causes corrosion that may not show symptoms immediately but can cause failures weeks or months later.

At Unlimited Cheap Talk Wireless, we offer ultrasonic cleaning that removes corrosion invisible to the naked eye. This prevents future failures and extends your device's life.

Our Water Damage Repair Process

When you bring a water-damaged phone to our Decatur shop, here's what we do:

1. Free diagnostic: We'll assess the damage and identify which components are affected
2. Ultrasonic cleaning: Deep cleaning to remove corrosion and mineral deposits
3. Component replacement: Replace any damaged parts (battery, charging port, speakers, etc.)
4. Thorough testing: Test all functions to ensure everything works
5. 90-day warranty: All repairs come with warranty protection

Cost of Water Damage Repair

Water damage repair costs vary based on damage extent:

• Basic cleaning and drying: $79-129
• With component replacement: $129-299 (depending on what's damaged)
• Severe damage with logic board issues: $299+

We'll give you an exact quote after diagnosis - no surprises. Compare this to replacing your phone ($500-1500+), and repair is almost always the better option.

Prevention Tips

After repairing so many water-damaged phones, here's what we recommend:

• Waterproof cases: Lifeproof and OtterBox Defender cases have saved many phones
• Be mindful: Keep phone away from sinks, toilets, pools, and bathtubs
• Weather protection: Georgia rain is frequent - use a waterproof pouch when outside
• IP rating awareness: Know your phone's water resistance, but don't rely on it completely

Visit Our Decatur Shop

If your phone has water damage, don't wait. Bring it to Unlimited Cheap Talk Wireless at 4525 Glenwood Road, Suite J-3 in Decatur, GA. The sooner we can start the repair process, the better your chances of full recovery.

We're open Sunday-Monday 12-5pm, Wednesday-Thursday 11am-6pm, and Friday-Saturday 11am-7pm. Closed Tuesdays. Call us at (404) 289-4500 or just walk in - we'll assess your device right away.