Sea expeditions on a drakkar are no joke. Therefore, an accident with a flooded phone can happen. All it takes is for water (or another liquid) to get inside your smartphone. More and more manufacturers praise their waterproof smartphones. However, these boasts do not necessarily mean that the devices are resistant to every type of liquid (mainly referring to submersion in fresh water). Furthermore, a flooded smartphone often loses its waterproof properties when mechanically damaged, e.g., with a cracked screen or back cover.
But wait! In some cases, you can save a flooded phone. See what to do if you've managed to flood your smartphone. Find out which stories are true and which are just myths that can be put aside.
See also: Mobile internet on a SIM card at Mobile Vikings
How NOT to save a flooded phone? Debunking myths!
Let's start by debunking commonly repeated myths.
- Putting a flooded phone in a bowl of rice.
A true Viking should be guided by common sense. How exactly is rice supposed to save a phone? There will be no draining of water here. This is a complete myth! P.S. Don't try it with groats either. It's a waste of time.
- Drying a smartphone with a hair dryer
What else shouldn't you do? First and foremost, do not use a hair dryer! In the case of a flooded smartphone, this can only lead to tragic consequences. Water (or another liquid) gets inside the phone through gaps, e.g., in the speaker or charging port. The air from the dryer will push this liquid further inside, to the components, motherboard, etc., which will only worsen the effects of the flooding. Moreover, the very use of hot air can lead to permanent and irreversible damage to the smartphone – large temperature fluctuations are definitely not good for such devices.
- Using compressed air
Finally, we stick with air, this time compressed. It's great for cleaning keyboards or computer interiors from dust, among other things. However, do not use it to dry flooded phones. Unfortunately, you will achieve a similar effect as when using a hair dryer.
You have a flooded phone – see what you can do
If you already know what not to do, it's high time for proven ways to save a flooded smartphone. We wrote about drakkar accidents above. But let's also assume that your smartphone falls into the toilet, pool, or pond. Another quick real-life example. On a tough morning, coffee or juice spilled over the phone's casing. What to do in such a case? Don't call special services, or anyone else, you have a flooded phone!
- First and foremost, turn off the device – you must cut it off from the power source to avoid short circuits or even burning out components. If your smartphone was off before it got flooded, do not turn it on under any circumstances. Do not connect it to a charging source either.
- You kept your cool. Great! Therefore, while the smartphone is off, it's time for a few more steps.
- First, if possible, remove the back cover and take out the battery.
- Second, also remove all removable elements of the smartphone, i.e., the SIM card tray, memory card, covers, etc.
- You can gently dry these parts with a paper towel and set them aside.
- Leave the smartphone in a warm and dry place.
- Then, it's worth deciding on the only correct path, which is the manufacturer's authorized service center or a non-authorized but trusted service center with good reviews. Unfortunately, the first bad news is that if your smartphone is under warranty, you will definitely lose it after a repair at an unauthorized service center.
More bad news: if the screen of your phone is flooded, the scale of damage may be greater. In this case, it's best to skip all drying steps and go straight to a trusted service center. It doesn't matter if your flooded phone is a Samsung, Apple, Huawei, or Xiaomi – every company should have an authorized service center in Poland. You'll find specific information on the manufacturers' websites. But every thrifty Viking will also look for a good service center in their area.
Flooded phone and insurance
The effects of flooding a smartphone can be visible even after several days. What does this mean? Worse screen response to touch, a drop in performance, or poor battery life on a single charge. In extreme cases, the smartphone may refuse to work and will only be suitable for replacement.
Also, be prepared that post-warranty repairs, as well as those related to flooding, will most often be costly. You can avoid this – in this case, various types of insurance for electronic equipment are helpful. They are offered by, among others, almost all popular electronics stores. When choosing the right package, just make sure that the given insurance covers the removal of flood damage (with no amount limit). In such a case, you can sleep the sleep of a peaceful Viking – your smartphone will be repaired without additional financial contribution. In some cases, there's a chance you'll receive a new phone as part of the insurance during the repair period.