And water is the number one enemy of any mobile device, since it is plagued with electronic components that are very sensitive to the liquid element. Manufacturers have been offering different degrees of protection against water for some years. The most common in our phones are IP67, in addition to IP68 . Ingress Protection determines not only how resistant a device is, but also how long it can remain submerged. In the referred figures, the digit six means that this phone offers total protection against dust. In the case of number 7, it will be able to last 30 minutes up to 1 m deep. A device with IP 68 protection also lasts 30 minutes, although it is not determined exactly at what depth. And the time factor is not too relevant either, last spring it was possible to rescue an iPhone 11 that had been submerged in a Canadian lake for 6 months. Yes, the phone was still working.
But it is not advisable to trust, even if the protection is guaranteed, the O-rings that prevent the passage of water may have deteriorated. Also, an electronic device is not something that should be near any liquid. Accidents happen at any moment and then the lamentations come. If you have the misfortune that your mobile phone has gotten wet, this is the list of things that you should not do under any circumstances.
Everything you should not do if your mobile gets wet
Typically, your phone gets wet when it is turned on. If this is not the case, much better, leave it as it is and do not try to turn it on to assess damage. The first step to take is to take absorbent kitchen paper and remove all excess water. When the phone has gotten wet you should never try to remove the water that has been able to drain from all the corners by shaking it. You will achieve the opposite effect, that it is introduced more quickly and begins to run inside the phone. It is not the same that your phone falls into the water in the pool to that it has been wet with a glass that has fallen on it. If it is water, much better that it is wet with any sugary drink, which can cause even more damage.
The first temptation that exists when the phone gets wet is to immediately put it in a hygroscopic product such as rice , or leave it in the sun to dry. The second option is totally inadvisable. In the event that water has been introduced inside the phone, the high temperatures will end up evaporating it, which will be much worse. The rice method may be effective in some cases, but it is not absolutely reliable. Our recommendation is that you do not do it, especially if the phone has been completely submerged. Only consider it in case of milder splashes
Another great temptation when our mobile device gets wet is to use the hairdryer. Never do it, you’ll probably end up messing it up. On the one hand, because if you use temperature, the device is going to overheat with all the negative consequences it has. And secondly, even if you do it with cold air, you will get the water to penetrate more deeply.
Then what should I do?
First, avoid temptations. Never leave your device near a glass of water or by the pool. Also make sure that the little ones do not always walk with it, their favorite place to deposit it is the toilet bowl. And if your summer goes through many moments at the beach pool, consider buying a waterproof case , which has a very affordable price and guarantees that your mobile will not get wet.
But if the accident has happened, do not get carried away by nerves. The first thing you should do is remove the case and turn off the device if it was on. Next, take a lot of absorbent paper and wrap it, so that all the water possible is removed. Once you’ve done this, grab your home or car vacuum cleaner and try to vacuum the phone from top to bottom.
When the phone does not have water on the outside, and only if it can be opened, remove the memory card and the battery. Pass absorbent paper again. Let it air dry without exposing it to sunlight. Take advantage of the moment to stop by an electronics store and buy bags with absorbent material, they are especially suitable for this and come to replace the classic rice. It’s also not a bad idea for you to order them as a preventive measure.
Put the phone in a bag for 24 to 48 hours , and after that, do the first test. Turn on your phone and check if the screen looks good, if it responds to keystrokes and if the camera is capable of photographing. If not, talk to the technical service to do a professional cleaning, they use isopropyl alcohol and ultrasound. But get the idea that a wet cell phone is sentenced to death.
