Every second counts. Follow these emergency steps to save your phone and speakers from permanent water damage. The right action right now could be the difference between a recovered phone and a bricked device.
Rice doesn't absorb moisture well and leaves dust inside your phone that can cause corrosion and damage components.
Hair dryers, ovens, and direct sunlight can damage the battery, warp the phone's casing, and push water deeper inside.
Water conducts electricity. Charging a wet phone risks short circuits, battery damage, or electrical fire. Wait until it's completely dry.
Testing the phone or pressing buttons introduces air and moisture deeper into the device. This can cause more damage and corrosion.
High-pressure air forces water deeper into internal components and can cause it to reach the circuit board faster.
Every second the phone is on, power flowing through wet circuits risks permanent component damage or data loss.
After you pull your phone out, flush the toilet to reduce contamination. Wash your hands afterward — this is the most contaminated water on the list.
Gently rinse the exterior of the phone under fresh running water to remove bacteria and contaminants. This is actually helpful.
Use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to gently pat the outside dry. Don't rub aggressively.
Power off immediately and follow the emergency checklist above. The risk is high with contaminated water, so proper drying is essential.
Pull the phone out right away. The longer it stays in chlorinated water, the more it penetrates internal components.
Unlike salt water, chlorinated water won't leave mineral deposits, but it can damage components. Rinse quickly with fresh water.
Chlorine is corrosive to internal metal components. Power off immediately and follow the full emergency checklist.
Plan for 24-48 hours of drying. Chlorine damage can take time to show up, so err on the side of caution.
Salt water is the most destructive. It corrodes metal components faster than any other liquid. Speed is critical.
This is non-negotiable. Salt will crystallize inside the phone and cause permanent corrosion. Rinse multiple times under fresh running water.
Gently pat with a cloth. Turn off immediately. Don't let it sit wet — the clock is ticking on corrosion.
Salt water damage is progressive. Plan for at least 2 days of drying. Consider professional data recovery if critical files are at risk.
Wipe down the phone with a dry cloth. Rainwater is relatively clean, so the risk level is lower.
If water got inside (visible on the screen, speaker grill, or charging port), power off immediately. Don't use it.
If only the exterior was wet, you can usually continue using the phone once it's dried. Water-resistant phones handle light rain well.
If water did get inside, download Eject Water and run the water eject cycle to help remove internal moisture.
Pull the phone out and pat it dry with a cloth. Tap water is clean, so the contamination risk is minimal.
Look at the screen and speaker grill for signs of water (visible droplets, fogging, or distortion). If dry, you're likely okay.
Even if it looks fine, power the phone off and leave it off for 2-3 hours. This is low-risk water, but safety first.
If you saw water inside or on the screen, download Eject Water and run the water eject cycle once the phone is powered back on.
Pull the phone out right away. The longer it's submerged, the deeper water penetrates.
If the water had soap, bubbles, or bath oils, rinse the phone under fresh water. These can leave residue and damage components.
Dry the exterior with a cloth. Power off immediately. Don't test the phone or open the charging port yet.
Follow the complete emergency checklist. Use Eject Water once you power the phone back on to remove water from the speaker area.
Rice absorbs moisture slowly and poorly. It takes days to show any effect, during which time corrosion is already happening inside your phone. Studies show rice is no better than air drying alone.
Rice breaks down inside the phone, leaving starch particles and dust that can lodge in charging ports, speaker grilles, and microphones. This causes permanent damage.
Leaving your phone in a warm, dry place (like a closet or drawer) is more effective than rice. 24+ hours of passive air drying allows water to evaporate naturally.
If you have silica gel packets (from packaging or electronics), those actually work better than rice. They absorb moisture faster and don't leave residue.
The Eject Water app uses acoustic frequencies to physically vibrate water out of the speaker and internal components. This accelerates the drying process significantly.
A warm room (70-80°F) with low humidity is ideal. This naturally evaporates water faster than cold, humid environments. Avoid direct sunlight which can warp plastic.
Check for dead pixels, discoloration, or ghosting. Minor fogging should clear within 24 hours. Persistent dark spots may indicate internal damage.
Test speaker volume and clarity. Muffled or crackling audio is common after water exposure. Use Eject Water to remove trapped moisture from the speaker grille.
Make a test call or use voice memo to check microphone clarity. Muffled voice indicates water in the microphone port. May recover with continued drying.
Check battery percentage and health in Settings. Water damage can degrade batteries. If the phone drains quickly, the battery may be damaged.
Try charging your phone slowly. If the port feels hot, won't charge, or shows corrosion, don't use it. Take it to a repair shop immediately.
Test Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular connection. Water can damage antennas. If signals are weak or unstable, water may have damaged internal components.
A waterproof case is your best defense. Look for IP67 or IP68 ratings. They're inexpensive and can save thousands in damage.
IP67: Dust-tight, water-resistant to 1m for 30 mins. IP68: Dust-tight, can be submerged continuously. Higher is better for water protection.
Avoid using your phone near pools, beaches, bathtubs, and open water. Even quick dips can cause damage. Leave it in a dry spot.
The charging port is the most vulnerable entry point for water. Use a port cover or keep the phone away from splashing water in wet areas.
Keep the Eject Water app installed and up-to-date. It's your emergency backup if water gets inside. It takes just a few seconds to download.
Water damage can cause permanent data loss. Use iCloud backup to ensure your photos, contacts, and messages are safe if the worst happens.
Download Eject Water now and keep it installed. You might never need it — but if you do, it could save your phone and your data. Fast, free, and always ready.
↓ Get Eject Water on App Store