Drop Your Phone in Water? Here’s How to Get It Out

We’ve all been there - one minute, you’re snapping the perfect picture or trying to send a last-minute text message, and the next thing, your phone is sinking in water.

Whether you left your new iPhone in your back pocket on laundry day or had a case of slippery fingers at the beach, water-related cellphone damage happens to the best of us. While modern phones carry an IP68 rating that lets them manage submersion of as high as 3 feet for as long as 30 minutes, that doesn’t make them waterproof - and older devices have none of these protections at all. If your phone does take on water, resist the urge to reach for a bag of rice; Apple now actively warns against this, as rice grains can introduce dust and starch particles into ports and openings, potentially causing extra damage. Instead, let your device dry for 24 to 48 hours before attempting to turn it back on. Fortunately, if you need help, there are professional services that can spare your phone any long-term damage - professional phone drying and cleaning usually costs between $70 and $100, which is usually well worth it compared to the price of a full replacement.

How Water Damages Your Phone

While modern phones carry an IP68 water resistance rating - meaning they are able to manage submersion as high as 3 feet for as long as 30 minutes - no phone is waterproof. Water resistance can degrade over time as seals wear down, and prolonged or deep submersion can still cause damage. Water can leak into all parts of your device - like behind the screen, inside the battery compartment, and in the charging port.

If your phone has water damage, you might see:

• A distorted image on the screen.
• Unusual sounds or distorted audio coming from the speakers.
• The inability to play any sounds or display images at all.
• A failure to charge.
• Water seeping from the casing.
• The inability to turn the device off or on.
• The device automatically restarts on its own.
• Visible moisture trapped behind the screen.

If you do get water in your phone, resist the urge to turn it on immediately - let it dry for 24 to 48 hours first. You should also skip the rice trick; phone manufacturers like Apple now warn against it, as rice grains can introduce dust and starch particles into your ports and openings, potentially causing extra damage. If the damage is extreme, professional phone drying and cleaning usually costs between $70 and $100.

Other damages - like a shattered screen or chipped frame - could happen if your phone also hit a hard surface during the drop. Remember that water damage can affect your phone’s resale value as well.

What to Do If You Drop Your Phone in Water

Follow these steps immediately if you’ve dropped a phone in water:

1. Move it to a dry area: Remove your phone from the water source without turning it, shaking it, or moving it excessively, as this could cause the water to move further into your device’s internal components. Lay the device on a dry towel or a pile of napkins to let it drain in a room with adequate airflow.
2. Turn it off: Turn your phone off, including any wireless connections, as soon as you remove it from water to stop electrical currents that could worsen damage or be a safety hazard. Do not plug your phone in.
3. Take the case off: Remove your phone case and hand dry it with a cloth or paper towel. Do not replace the case until you’ve finished drying your phone and it’s safe to use again.
4. Remove accessories: Remove all accessories such as headphones, SD cards, and the SIM card. Note that most modern smartphones have non-removable batteries, so skip removing the battery if that applies to your device. Gently pat all removed accessories dry, then set them beside your device to continue air drying.
5. Skip the rice: You may have heard that placing your phone in a bag of uncooked rice helps absorb moisture - but phone manufacturers including Apple now actively warn against this method. Rice grains can introduce dust and starch particles into your phone’s ports and openings, potentially causing additional damage. Instead, leave your phone in a dry, well-ventilated area.
6. Give it time: Allow your device at least 24 to 48 hours to air dry completely before attempting to power it on or replace its components. Rushing this step is one of the most common mistakes people make after water exposure. If the damage is severe, it’s worth understanding how much iPhone water damage repair can cost - professional phone drying and cleaning typically runs between $70 and $100 - before deciding your next step.

How to Get Water Out of Your Phone

If you’ve let your phone drain and still suspect internal moisture, don’t panic - but act. First, let your device air dry for 24 to 48 hours before attempting to turn it on. Avoid the temptation to speed up the process with heat, as Apple warns that iPhones should never exceed 113 degrees Fahrenheit, and excess heat can cause further damage.

You may have heard that placing your phone in a bag of rice is a reliable fix - but phone manufacturers like Apple now explicitly warn against this. Rice grains can introduce dust and starch particles into your phone’s ports and openings, potentially causing extra damage. Instead, placing your device near a gentle airflow in a dry environment is a safer strategy.

If you’re still seeing signs of water damage after air drying, professional phone drying and cleaning services usually cost between $70 and $100 - which may be worth it depending on the value of your device. For iPhones specifically, water damage repair costs can vary by model. If you’re not sure if repair is worth it, learn how water damage affects your phone’s resale value before picking your next steps.

Going forward, consider upgrading to a water-resistant device. Phones rated IP68 can handle submersion of up to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes, providing a safety buffer for accidents.

The Rice Method

The rice strategy likely came from photographers and filmmakers who needed a way to dry cameras when filming in humid locations and has since become a popular emergency drying strategy for smartphone owners everywhere. The concept is based on the fact that uncooked rice absorbs moisture and can help draw water out of a wet device.

However, it’s worth mentioning that manufacturers like Apple now actively warn against the rice strategy. Rice grains can introduce dust and starch particles into ports and openings, potentially causing extra damage. Apple recommends allowing your device to air dry instead.

If you still want to try the rice strategy despite these warnings, here’s how it’s usually done:

1. Fill a sealable bag or container with dry, uncooked rice.
2. Carefully place your device and any wet components inside the rice. Avoid moving the phone around excessively.
3. Bury the wet device in rice until it is completely covered on all sides.
4. Seal the bag or cover the container and set it somewhere warm and dry. Avoid excessively hot locations - Apple notes iPhones should not be exposed to temperatures above 113°F. Learn more about how extreme temperatures can damage your phone.
5. Let your phone sit undisturbed for at least 24 to 48 hours before attempting to power it on.
6. Remove your phone and carefully inspect the ports for any rice particles, dust, or debris before reassembling the device.
7. Power your phone on and assess its performance, including audio, display, and charging capabilities.

If the rice strategy doesn’t work, or if you’d like a safer alternative, professional phone drying and cleaning services usually cost between $70 and $100 - which may be well worth it to avoid causing more damage to your device.

Use Silica Gel

Silica, or silicon dioxide, has a similar composition to sand. Silica gel is a type of silica desiccant that adsorbs roughly 40% of its weight in moisture and helps cut back on humidity inside enclosed areas and packages. If you’ve bought a new item, like a pair of shoes, medication or electronics, you’re probably familiar with the small silica gel packets inside the packaging. These packets have silica-based xerogel which absorbs moisture and helps water molecules follow the gel’s surface, which makes it a tool for drying electronics. Some forms of silica gel are even reusable if you heat them to more than 300 degrees.

Let’s look at how to use silica gel packets to dry out your wet phone:

1. Gather as many dry silica gel packets as you can find. You can order them through various online retailers or collect them as you find them in packaging.
2. Fill a zippered plastic sandwich bag with the packets.
3. Carefully place your phone and any other wet components inside the bag and cover them with packets. Place packets directly in vulnerable areas, like charging ports and speaker grilles, if possible.
4. Seal the bag and gently place it flat on a solid surface in a warm, dry area where it won’t be disturbed.
5. Wait at least 24 to 48 hours before removing, inspecting and testing your device.

Don’t have any silica gel packets on hand? Some types of clean silica-based cat litter can work just as well in a pinch! Choose a medium or large grain litter, and be sure to look at your device before reassembling it to make sure no particles are trapped inside the ports.

Silica gel is usually regarded as one of the best at-home drying methods available. Manufacturers like Apple have explicitly warned against the popular rice strategy, stating it can introduce dust and starch particles into your device’s ports and cause more damage. Silica gel avoids these dangers entirely, which makes it the better choice. If silica gel doesn’t work well, professional phone drying and cleaning services usually run between $70 and $100 - a worthwhile investment before writing off your device entirely.

Professional Drying Services

If all other methods have failed, or your device seems too waterlogged for do-it-yourself methods, research professional device drying services at repair shops or kiosks near you. Professionals use a combination of desiccants, vacuums and controlled heat to dry devices more effectively than home methods. Expect to pay anywhere from $70 to $100 for a professional phone drying and cleaning service. While this cost could seem like something to cut back on, it’s usually worth it compared to replacing your device entirely. Before heading in, allow your phone to air dry for at least 24 to 48 hours first, and stay away from attempting to power it on during that time, as turning on a waterlogged device too soon can cause more damage to internal parts. It’s also worth mentioning that Apple now actively warns against the popular rice trick, as rice grains can introduce dust and starch particles into your phone’s ports and openings, potentially making things worse instead of better.

What About Non-Fresh Water?

If you dropped your phone outdoors or inside near a sink, toilet or bathtub, you could be dealing with more than just water. Dirty water, saltwater and water with chemical additives, like chlorine, can cause more damage to your device than fresh water alone:

• Dirty water: Dirty water, like puddles and lakes, are full of bacteria, sediment and contaminants that can build up and linger inside your device. This debris can further damage your phone and make skin-to-phone contact unsafe. Flush your phone with a quick rinse of clean, fresh water and carefully wipe away any visible sediments from inside the charging port, around screen corners and anywhere build-up is possible.
• Chemically altered water: Everyone loves a poolside selfie, but chlorinated water can wreak havoc on smartphones, and many manufacturer warranties do not apply to chemically altered water. Promptly flush your device with fresh water and follow the above steps for drying.
• Saltwater: Salt is corrosive and can build up inside your device and break internal components. If you dropped your phone while snapping a picture of your favorite coastal spot, quickly rinse your phone thoroughly with fresh water to flush out as much salt as possible before allowing it to dry for 24 to 48 hours before attempting to power it back on.

In these cases, the safest and most helpful answer when you drop your phone in non-fresh water is taking it to a professional repair service that has the equipment to clean delicate areas of the device. Professional phone drying and cleaning usually costs between $70 and $100. But it may be well worth it to avoid longer-term damage caused by lingering contaminants. Remember that even if your phone carries an IP68 rating - meaning it can withstand submersion of up to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes in fresh water - that protection does not extend to saltwater, chlorinated water or other contaminants, which makes professional cleaning all the more important in these cases.

How to Get Water Out of Your Phone Speaker

Accidentally submerge your entire device in a pool of water? You may be able to use sound to get water out of a phone speaker. Cellphone speakers are very open to water-related damage because they are delicate and their design leaves them more exposed to the elements and any contaminants in the water. Once your speaker is waterlogged, it’s hard to repair or return to your original audio quality - but app developers are trying to change that through sound.

While using sound to get water out of your phone seems like something pulled from a futuristic sci-fi film, the idea behind it is that frequencies can help eject water from your speaker’s internal elements. As the force of that frequency plays, you’ll see small water droplets slowly ejecting from your speakers. Gently pat them dry with a towel and repeat the process as needed.

Both Android and iPhone users can find speaker cleaning apps on their respective app stores - basically search “speaker cleaner” or “water eject” to find the latest options. Please remember that this might not work for all cellphone models and the success of this treatment can depend on a few things, like the type of water you dropped your phone in, how long it was submerged, the device’s waterproof rating and the extent of the damage.

It’s also worth mentioning a few do’s and don’ts when taking care of a water-damaged phone. Phone manufacturers like Apple now actively warn against placing a wet phone in rice - rice grains introduce dust and starch particles into ports and openings, potentially causing extra damage on top of what water already did. Instead, allow your phone to air dry in a well-ventilated area for 24 to 48 hours before attempting to turn it back on. Applying heat is also a bad idea - Apple notes that iPhones should not be exposed to temperatures exceeding 113 degrees Fahrenheit, so skip the hair dryer.

Remember that not all phones manage water the same way. Devices rated IP68 can usually be submerged to about 3 feet for up to 30 minutes, though higher-end flagship models carry even more robust water resistance ratings. If your phone doesn’t have a strong waterproof rating, damage is more likely to be severe. If your speaker is past saving, professional phone drying and cleaning services usually run between $70 and $100, so it may be worth reading up on when to sell vs. fix a damaged phone speaker before spending money on repairs.

4 Tips for Protecting Your Phone From Water Damage

While the methods listed above can be helpful ways to remove water in a pinch, prevention is always the best option. Protect your phone from water damage with these tips.

1. Choose Phones Rated for Water Protection

One advertised feature for today’s top-selling smartphones is the IP rating, which stands for Ingress Protection. The two most common ratings are IP67 and IP68. The IP rating tells the buyer what level of protection the device has against dust and water, and each number represents a different level of protection.

The first digit in an IP rating represents protection against small solids like dust, with six being the highest possible rating in this category. The second digit represents water resistance, with eight being the highest rating available. IP68-rated smartphones have been tested to survive submersion in as much as 3 feet of water for as long as 30 minutes. Many modern flagship devices exceed this baseline - recent models from Apple, Samsung, and Google have pushed water resistance ratings even further with each new generation.

While it’s never a great situation to drop your phone in water, having a device with a high IP rating can help protect it from as much moisture-related damage as possible. Check out our guide to the best waterproof phones if you’re looking for a more water-resistant upgrade.

2. Use a Waterproof Case

If you spend quite a bit of time near water - or just want to protect your investment - a waterproof case could be a great choice. These cases are made from water-resistant materials and have raised designs that keep the device inside encased and protected from water. Some waterproof phone cases can even help your phone stay afloat and stay away from submersion altogether.

When picking a waterproof phone case, consider the following:

• The size of the case compared to the size of your phone
• The brand and model the case was designed for
• The case’s thickness, grip and how well it fits in your hand
• Additional protection features against things like dust and falls
• How the case looks - its color and design
• Ease of use for the camera, volume and home buttons

3. Purchase a Drying Kit

Pre-assembled cellphone drying kits usually include silica-based desiccants and a sealable bag, so you can dry your phone out faster or on the go. These are a better option than the suggested rice strategy - phone manufacturers like Apple have explicitly warned against putting a wet phone in rice, as it can introduce dust and starch particles into the device’s ports, potentially causing extra damage. If you buy a drying kit now, then you’ll always have it in an emergency. You’ll find them on online retailers and at local electronics and cellphone repair shops.

If your phone does get wet, let it dry for 24 to 48 hours before attempting to turn it back on. Rushing this process is one of the most common causes of more damage. If you’d rather leave it to the pros, expect to pay around $70 to $100 for a professional phone drying and cleaning service.

4. Get Phone Insurance

With smartphone prices increasing each year, you’ve probably wondered if phone insurance is worth the extra cost. The answer can depend on a few things, like how much you spent on your device, how you travel, your budget for a new phone and standard repairs, the insurance plan in question and how likely you are to damage your phone.

You can usually enroll in a phone insurance plan through:

• Your network carrier
• The phone manufacturer
• A third-party insurance provider

Make sure that you read the details of what your policy covers. For example, some insurance policies might not protect against water damage if the device was submerged but may cover minor damage, like spills. Other plans limit how much you can claim in damage amounts and limit the number of claims you can make each year.

Phone insurance isn’t the same as the device’s warranty, which likely only covers manufacturing-related damages or defects. If repair costs are a concern, it helps to know iPhone repair prices before settling on a plan. It’s also worth understanding how much battery replacements can cost when weighing your coverage options.

Sell Used Smartphones to ecoATM

If your smartphone is too water-damaged for repair - or you’re just ready to get rid of an old device to make room for a new release - ecoATM can help. Bring your unwanted device to an ecoATM kiosk and we’ll give you instant cash for your trade-in. We’ll take your phone regardless of condition and make sure it’s recycled responsibly and safely. Learn more about our mission and find an ecoATM kiosk near you to get started!