If your smartphone falls into water, you need an emergency plan. The chances of saving it are about 50:50, but there are things that will help if you act fast. The first thing is to switch off the device. If the immersion was of short duration, there is still hope, according to the German magazine c't Android 2014. The next step is to remove the battery - in models where that's possible - and then dab the phone dry with paper towels.
One should try not to operate any buttons through which water can penetrate further.
However, one should rinse the inside of the device with distilled water if it has been contaminated with saltwater or a sticky liquid. Otherwise there's a risk they will lead to corrosion damage.
The opened mobile with its battery removed should then be placed for several days in a container of uncooked rice to dry out.
It shouldn't be moved during this time, the experts say. If one is impatient and tries to turns on the phone prematurely, there's a risk of aggravating the damage. Because temperatures above 40 degrees can damage the smartphone too, neither a hairdryer nor an oven should ever be used to speed up the drying process.
With any luck the phone will function again in a few days. If it doesn't, one usually cannot turn to the manufacturer's guarantee, as they generally exclude water damage. Repair at the owner's expense will hardly be worthwhile, the experts say.
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