Crucial Steps to Save Phones Dropped in Salt Water
How to Save Cell Phones Dropped in Salt Water
One of the most popular posts we run at DiscussWireless is our how to guide (which we will update sometime this month) on the crucial steps to save cell phones that have been dropped in water. Although the process is similar when the problem includes dropping your cell phone in salt water, there are subtle differences that may mean a new phone or saving the one you have. Without further ado here is the list of:
Top Ways to Save Cell Phones Dropped in Salt Water
1. Immediately shut off the phone once recovered (most likely it will be off already). DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TEST THE PHONE TO SEE IF IT WORKS UNTIL IT IS DRY. The number ONE mistake people make with wet cell phones is turning it on too soon. BE PATIENT! You have 2-4 days before you can ever test the phone by turning it on again. That's two days MINIMUM!
2. Remove all parts that you can including: battery, phone covers, faceplates, SIM card, etc. No need to dismantle items you don't have expertise in. Pat dry with a clean cloth excess water.
3. As soon as possible locate a bottle of distilled water. This usually means running to the drugstore. Last I checked they didn't sell small bottles but you can't be picky at this point. The purpose of the distilled water will be to actually re-submerge the phone. Why you ask? Salt water will present an immediate rust problem to the small metals in your phone. You need to get rid of the salt ASAP and distilled water is the method to accomplish this.
Distilled means without impurities, this is why your tap water shouldn't be used as a substitute. However, tap water is better than salt water. Remember, at no point during this process should you test the phone to see if it works.
4. Gently soak the phone with distilled water. Soak all parts as well except for the SIM card and battery which you should pat with a wet clean cloth soaked in distilled water. Try your best to avoid the LCD screens since of all the things that can't handle water, screens are the worst. Now that you've re-submerged the phone it will take that much longer to dry.
5. Let the device air dry for 2-3 days in direct sunlight. DO NOT use a hair dryer or some other sort of intense heat to quicken the process. Some have suggested the top of a computer monitor. We suggest good old fashion sunlight.
6. If your in a big hurry you could remove water with an electronics cleaner, or if you're in a pinch, WD-40. (Your phone will smell like the lubricant though.) The silicone/WD-40 will drive water out of the phone. You can also opt for rubbing alcohol in place of distilled water. It dries faster, hopefully it doesn't harm components though.
7. After 2-4 days of air drying the device should be ready to test. Chances are you'll need to plug it in as the battery may be fried. Put the phone back together, plug it in, and turn it on. Hopefully your patience will save you the dollars of a new phone! Any thoughts please post your comments!
Keys to Victory
- NEVER TURN ON THE PHONE
- Remove all removable pieces
- Remove salt water
- Let device air dry for 2-4 days
Technorati Tags: water logged phone, wet cell phone, wet electronics, saving wet electronics, salt water electronics, phones with salt water, salt water cell phones
 |
PLATINUM REFINING CD/ GOLD/ SCRAP/ RECOVERY/REFINING US $8.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Jul-20-2008 4:12:33 PDT Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
 |
The Battle Of Bannockburn 1314 - New Sealed DVD US $14.11 End Date: Sunday Jul-20-2008 4:14:17 PDT Buy it now | Add to watch list |
August 7th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
7. After 2-4 days of air drying the device should be ready to test. Chances are you'll need to plug it in as the battery may be friend. you misspelled "fried"
August 7th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
Yea, batteries are rarely your friend after water, thanks!
August 7th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
I've heard that moving the phone / other electronic component to a bowl of uncooked rice (submerging it) after a day or two in the sun can be effective as well, as rice is very good as absorbing water.
Any idea of the truth value of this claim?
August 7th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Them little white silicon bags you get in the box when you buy new trainers and shoes are good for soaking up water,,,,,,i think
August 7th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Justin and other person..... Both of your suggestions will soak up moisture, not sold on the fact it will absorb serious wetness. I've heard the rice suggestion, not sure if it really work that well.... Why can't we just trust the sun :P
August 9th, 2007 at 2:03 am
[...] Steps To Save Phones Dropped In Salt Water: The writer at discusswireless.com provides a list of ways to save a phone dropped in salt water. [...]
August 26th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
went swimming with my blackberry, not salt water, did all of the above except the distilled water. dried it out on top of my amplifier, after two days it was fine, that was in may and still going well.
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:58 am
There is silicone spray available that is not smelly. Silicone spray is actually great for items that do not like water, as it repels it. Good article btw.
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Another REALLY good idea:
After the phone is rid of all excess water, jet a jar big enough for your phone. fill it with rice. enough rice to completely submerge the phone. put phone in jar with rice and viola!! rice soaks up all that annoying moisture and water!
September 24th, 2007 at 1:07 am
[...] and searched the internet for an article on saving phones from salt water damage and found a very informative guide on this subject.I removed the battery and the SIM card from the phone and proceeded to [...]
September 24th, 2007 at 9:23 am
[...] Discusswireless has posted an article on their site about how to save your phone that have been dropped in salt water. The first mistake that people do is that the try to start the phone and see it its work, that is like killing the phone read more about it here [...]
September 26th, 2007 at 8:10 am
[...] Não garantimos que o seu celular vá sair com vida, mas com certeza as suas chances aumentam considerávelmente. Confira o artigo completo clicando aqui. [...]
November 21st, 2007 at 12:03 pm
what about luck?
May 20th, 2008 at 10:31 am
i am trying with vinegar, hope it works, becasue it droped before 15 days, hope that salt did not eat anytihing inside