In the life of any person, a situation may arise when you urgently need to figure out what to do if your phone has fallen into the toilet. To many, such an incident seems critical. Firstly, because a gadget that accidentally “dives” into such an inappropriate place for it can be unusually expensive. Secondly, because even in a modest phone a person can store very important information. Therefore, it is important to know what needs to be done immediately with the gadget in order to save it.
A modern person simply cannot do without a phone, so he does not part with it even in the toilet. The most common way a gadget gets into the toilet is when it slips out of your back pants pocket. It happens that a smartphone falls due to other carelessness. You can get your phone wet in another place. For example, some people forget to take it out of the pockets of things being washed, they drop it into the sink, bathtub, or spill various liquids on it. It is not always possible to save your phone. Much depends on what brand it is, how tight it is, how long it has been in the water.
Unfortunately, people don't always find the information they need, and the device's lifespan expires. Of course, it is better to buy a waterproof phone. The price of such gadgets varies from 20,000 to 75,000 rubles, which depends on their brand and functions. However, many people do not want to say goodbye to their favorite phone that accidentally fell into the water. Let's figure out how to save him.
Get your device!
What to do if your phone falls into the toilet and gets wet? How to act in such a situation? Are there any differences in the methods of “rescue” of a fallen touchscreen and push-button telephone? For devices of different models, there are the same rescue methods.
First, let's look at how to get the phone out of the toilet. This needs to be done very quickly. You may need to put a glove on your hand first. The faster the phone is removed, the less moisture will penetrate to important parts. If you can’t find a glove, quickly put your hand in the toilet and take out your phone, thinking at the same time how dear it is to you.
What not to do if you want your phone to work after falling into the toilet
You cannot do the following:
- Never turn on a wet phone to check whether it works or not, as a short circuit will “kill” it completely and irrevocably.
- There is no need to shake your phone to remove water from it. From these actions, the liquid will penetrate even more into the device and be evenly distributed throughout all its insides.
- Do not dry your phone with hot air (for example, a hairdryer) or place it on any heater. Because this can cause sensitive parts to melt. Some people try to dry their phone in the microwave. This is strictly prohibited, as there is a chance of damaging not only the phone, but also the microwave.
- Sorbents are capable of absorbing moisture. You can try using them. In such cases, rice or silica gel is used. But salt or sugar cannot be used for this. They absorb moisture well, but these ingredients are not suitable for a phone. Even if it happens that your gadget is old and you don’t want to use it anymore, you need to remove the phone from the toilet. The fact is that it can get stuck in the pipe. Then you will have to experience additional inconvenience and spend money on calling a locksmith.
What to do if your touch phone gets wet
Before proceeding with any actions, you must immediately turn off the gadget. For phones with a non-removable battery, this can be done by long pressing the lock button. Otherwise, simply remove the battery - this way you will avoid a short circuit, otherwise even a service center will not be able to restore the device’s functionality. Then follow these instructions on how to dry the gadget:
- Disassemble the device. Ideally, each part should be dried separately: remove the SIM and MicroSD cards. Remove the covers, protective glass and back cover. There is no point in unscrewing everything down to the screws; it will be difficult to put the device back together, so if you have a monoblock model (with a non-separable case), stop at removing all inserted cards. Use screwdrivers only if you are sure that you know the gadget's structure well.
- Place the device with the screen facing up. Let gravity do its thing and allow water to accumulate at the bottom of the gadget.
- Absorb moisture with paper towels or napkins where possible. Turn the device slightly so that any accumulated liquid flows out through the holes. At the same time, avoid sudden movements and do not shake the gadget in the hope of drying it faster, otherwise water will flow inside again and flood hard-to-reach places.
Keep in mind that turning on the device immediately after you have wiped the surface is strictly prohibited. The most important and final stage is drying the phone after water. Depending on which method is chosen, this will take a different amount of time.
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You can dry the phone by leaving the device in the air for 3–7 days, but this is long and does not guarantee further operation, since radioelements oxidize under the influence of liquid. Use an absorbent substance to help draw water out of the device and dry it faster.
Selica gel will help
What is silica gel? Not everyone knows its name, although you might have seen it on sale. Silica gel is a dried gel. It is capable of absorbing a lot of moisture, so it is used as a dehumidifier. You may have seen it in bags that are often placed in shoe boxes. This substance can also be purchased separately in stores. If you come across a bag like this, don’t hesitate to throw it away. Perhaps you will really need it someday, for example, to save your broken phone.
What should you do first to save your device?
It is worth noting that not in all cases the tips listed in this article will help bring your phone back to life. But if you do everything quickly, then there are chances. You should also remember that if your phone falls into water, its lifespan will be reduced. Minor malfunctions may also occur. So what to do with the device?
If you see your phone in water, immediately take it out, wipe it with paper napkins and turn it off immediately. Next you need to remove the battery, SIM card and memory card. Remember that the battery must be removed immediately. Do not delay, try to turn it on or dry it immediately. If the phone is turned off, some chips still receive power. You need to remember this. If your smartphone is of a model in which the battery cannot be removed, you should immediately take it to a service center.
What to do to save your device
It is worth knowing that not in all cases our tips described in this article will help bring your gadget back to life. But if you do everything quickly, you will have a chance. Remember that if you fall into water, your phone's lifespan will be reduced.
As soon as you take out your phone, wipe it with paper napkins and turn it off immediately. Next, if possible, remove the battery, SIM card and memory card. If your smartphone is one in which the battery cannot be removed, you should immediately take it to a service center.
Disassembling a phone at home
Try to remove and unscrew everything you can. The more room there is for air, the faster the phone will dry. This will give a better chance of its further functioning. To unscrew everything, take small clock screwdrivers and a straight shaped screwdriver. These tools should always be in the house as they can come in handy in different situations. Remember, you need to disassemble the phone carefully, not forgetting that you unscrewed it. You can sketch out a diagram on a piece of paper or take a photo so that you can do everything correctly when assembling.
How to dry your phone at home
An absorbent is a substance that draws and absorbs moisture. Whichever method you choose, you will need a container to place both the product and your phone. Drying rules for each method are below:
- Put the phone in the rice. This is the most famous absorbent. The fact that you can dry your phone in rice is not a myth; this remedy is effective. Place the gadget without battery and cover in a bag of cereal for 2-3 days. Turn the device over once every 12 hours.
- Use silica gel cat litter. This product is considered an even better absorbent than rice. To dry the gadget, place it in a container with filler for 48 hours. In this case, the product should completely cover the device. Turn your smartphone over from time to time.
- Dry your phone in silicone shoe balls. An alternative option, similar in effectiveness to the previous one. Draws out moisture in 2 days.
Advice that applies to all methods: check your smartphone every 6 hours and wipe off moisture from its surface with paper napkins. In addition, in case of severe damage, you can replace the absorbent with a new one.
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Cleaning the device
How to clean the inside of your phone? If there is moisture, wipe it with a dry cloth. This applies to all microcircuits, cables, contacts, if you were able to get to them. They need to be wiped with a cotton swab, after moistening it in alcohol. This magical liquid will not only cleanse them, but will also help the moisture evaporate faster. Water itself does not pose a big threat to the phone. What is harmful is what it contains: salts, alkalis, minerals and other elements. They can cause corrosion, rust and oxidize phone parts. It is also worth noting that special cans of liquid are sold that can quickly dry the contacts.
The refrigerator will evaporate moisture well. But only the one equipped with the modern No frost system. It has a fan and an evaporator that will easily help get rid of moisture inside the phone. After treating the phone with alcohol, you can place it in the refrigerator for half an hour. After this time has elapsed, wipe the device again with alcohol.
Vacuum cleaner and hair dryer with cold air
Many people know one old way to dry your phone from water. You can use a vacuum cleaner for this if it has a narrow attachment. You need to direct the air flow into each hole and blow for at least five minutes. There is also a way to dry with a hairdryer, but you can only use cold air. You need to keep the hairdryer at a distance of 10-15 cm from the phone. You cannot blow hot air, as it can do more harm than good, because hot air can melt important parts.
If you have a special moisture absorber at home, you should place the phone in a dry bag and place it in a bowl with this substance. It will quickly absorb moisture. Another product is cat litter. It also absorbs moisture well, so it will dry your phone quickly. In addition, you can leave your smartphone in the sun to dry, but not in direct sunlight. Another method is to immerse the phone in a bag of rice.
As users note in reviews, the best option is to use a moisture absorber or dry the gadget with a stream of cold air.
Your first actions
First of all, get ready for quick decisive action. If you manage to grab the device from the water in the first seconds, it is likely that the electronics will not even notice the extreme situation and will work as usual. Therefore, forget about disgust, do not run in search of gloves, but simply grab the device and take it out of the water. If a person drops the device into water, there is no need to try to press anything or check if the calls are working: such actions are the best way to permanently destroy the device.
If your mobile phone survives and even continues to work, turn it off immediately. Remove the battery, all memory cards and SIM cards. Now the most important thing is to find out how to dry your phone! Toilet paper is at hand - tear off a piece and wipe all removed parts from moisture and dirt. You don’t have to worry about them: when the plug-in devices dry well, they will be ready for use. Now dry as much as possible: blot away any visible drops, try to push the folded paper into all the cracks so that it absorbs as much liquid as possible. Only after this proceed to hand washing and other sanitary and hygienic procedures.
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Important!
Do not try to push absorbent material into small holes using pins or toothpicks, but be very careful.
If someone drops a smartphone in the sea, a bowl of syrup or other solution, carefully wash it under running water. It is better to expose the electronic device to additional moisture than to allow crystals to form. Dried sugar can tightly stick the buttons together, and you will not be able to press them. Salt is a more insidious enemy. The phone will work normally for some time, but at this time the caustic grains will begin to destroy contacts and microcircuits, after which the device will not be able to be brought back to life in any workshop.
Try to carefully disassemble the phone. Unscrew the screws, separate the parts that can be removed. To be able to reassemble the gadget, place the parts on the table in the order in which they were removed. Remember where everything was attached, and if you can draw quickly, make sketches for memory. If you can’t figure it out, turn the phone with the buttons facing down and press them. Press until moisture comes out. When disassembling, wipe the exposed areas very carefully. After this, put the phone to dry in a warm, but not hot place for a day.
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Drying aids you can use:
- Set the hair dryer so that a stream of warm air blows on the phone from a distance of about 10 cm. Set the power to minimum and dry for about an hour and a half.
- Wrap the phone parts in light cloth or gauze and place it in substances that absorb moisture well: cat litter, uncooked rice, hydrogel.
Further steps to save your phone
After all the procedures done, you need to leave the phone in a dry place for several days. Make sure that there is no moisture on the screen and the battery does not oxidize. Only after making sure that the phone is thoroughly dry can you try to turn it on. If you managed to repair your smartphone yourself, try connecting it to a charger. You need to find out whether it will charge, how long it will take to charge, how long the battery can last. If your phone is charging slowly, it means that current is flowing slowly to the battery. Therefore, turn off the device and take it to a specialist. Also see if your gadget accepts SIM cards or a memory card. Next, call it and find out if your interlocutor can hear you.
What should I do if the phone does not work after turning it on? In this case, hurry up and take it to the master for a more accurate assessment of its condition. Ask for your phone to be diagnosed out of turn. This is very important so as not to waste precious time.
Do I need to go to a service center? Things to consider
Is it necessary to go to a service center? Yes, if the phone doesn't work. It is wise to visit a specialist if your device’s warranty has not yet expired. True, you won’t be able to repair your phone for free. Warranty phone repairs will cost money, but you will know exactly what’s wrong with your gadget and how damaged it is. Since the breakdown is your fault, it will not be repaired under warranty. But first, find out how much it costs to repair a phone. There may be no point in fixing it. However, no one will say how much longer he will work. So how much does it cost to repair a phone? For example, replacing a part (without taking into account the cost of the element itself) can cost 1000 rubles. And replacing the display assembly can cost about seven thousand rubles. In this case, it is better to refuse repairs. Then you should buy a new phone right away. You may be disappointed to hear that your broken phone cannot be repaired. This may occur if several vital elements are damaged.
If the phone falls into the toilet and does not turn on
You dried your phone, but it doesn’t turn on. What to do in this case? First, turn off the headset, remove the memory card, leave one SIM card and try to turn it on again. Does not work? Check the battery - it may be damaged or not charged. Connect the charger and see how your smartphone reacts.
Advice
Before inserting the battery, make sure it is not oxidized. Do not use a damaged power source; this may damage the phone.
The hardest part to remove is water from under the screen. Simple models can still survive such an adventure, but it will take a very long time to dry the phone. In touchscreen smartphones, in such cases the screen often has to be replaced. The cost of repairs will be high, and you need to consider whether it might make sense to just buy a new gadget.
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If all measures do not help, the phone must be sent to a specialized service for repair. Be sure to contact a technician if your mobile phone turns on, but some functions have failed or are not working correctly. You especially need to hurry if you dropped the device into salt water or another chemical solution. Even if it seems to you that everything is normal, show your smartphone to a specialist to check: is there any damage left?
What to do if you don’t know how to disassemble and assemble electronic devices and decide to take your phone to a specialized workshop? First of all, find out how much you will have to pay for repairs. Please note that the warranty period will be very short, and there is no confidence that the smartphone will work for a long time after bathing. Do not rush to leave your electronic device at the service center; think about what is more profitable: buying a new mobile phone or repairing an old one.
Should I tell the truth?
If your phone falls into the toilet and does not turn on, some parts, screen or battery may be broken. In this case, the technicians will tell you what needs to be replaced. Sometimes it happens that people try to deceive the service center in order to get free repairs under warranty. Rest assured, the repairman will immediately find out the cause of the breakdown, because many gadgets have a tiny indicator that changes color when in contact with water, for example, it was white but now becomes pink. Better tell the truth. Get help right away so you don't waste time.
How to get rid of toilet smell
We have already figured out what to do if the phone falls into the toilet. Let's talk about how to get rid of the unpleasant smell that your phone may emit after an incident. If after resuscitation your gadget works, but the smell of the toilet remains, you should place the device in a bag and put a bag of coffee, soda or activated carbon in it. They remove odors perfectly. The procedure may need to be repeated. There are many different odor absorbers that are sold specifically for refrigerators. If you have these, you can also place them next to your phone or place them in a bag or other container. There are absorbers with activated carbon, an ozonizer, and a mineral-salt absorber. They all do their job very well. Many people make a big mistake - in order to quickly get rid of the unpleasant smell of the toilet, they spray deodorants on the phone. There is no need to do this, it will turn out even worse. The “flavors” will merge. Then it will be even more difficult to remove the smell of the toilet.
How to get rid of odor
After saving the gadget parts from moisture, all that remains is to get rid of the unpleasant odor. Most often, after falling into the toilet, the phone emits this smell, which may not be so easy to get rid of.
A container with coffee, activated carbon or soda in which you need to place the device can help with this. These products can perfectly remove unpleasant odors.
In addition, in stores you can find a huge number of products that can absorb unpleasant odors. If you have similar ones at home, you can simply leave the device next to this product or place it in a container.
The main thing you should not do in order to get rid of an unpleasant odor is to spray an air freshener or deodorant on your phone. In this case, the unpleasant odor will merge with another odor. After this, it will be even more difficult to get rid of the aromas.
Follow the link to watch a video about what to do if your phone falls into the toilet:
