What to do when your phone gets wet
A wet phone can appear to work normally for several minutes before corrosion, short circuits or battery damage begin. The safest response is to act quickly, disconnect power and keep moisture from spreading further inside the device. Whether the phone has fallen into a sink in Sydney, a pool in Brisbane or the surf at Bondi, the first few actions matter more than trying to switch it on repeatedly.
Modern smartphones have improved water resistance, but an IP rating does not make a handset waterproof. Seals can weaken with age, after a screen replacement or following a hard drop. Salt water, chlorinated pool water, coffee and soft drinks are especially troublesome because they leave conductive or sticky residues behind.
| Situation | Immediate action | Repair urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water splash | Switch off, remove accessories and dry the exterior | Monitor carefully; arrange inspection if symptoms appear |
| Phone dropped in a pool | Power down and wipe away residue | Professional cleaning is recommended |
| Phone exposed to seawater | Disconnect power and avoid charging | Seek repair as soon as possible |
| Phone soaked with coffee or soft drink | Switch off and remove the case | Prompt internal cleaning is advisable |
| Device becomes hot, swells or smells unusual | Move it away from flammable materials | Stop handling it and seek urgent battery advice |
Switch it off and disconnect everything
Take the phone out of the water and hold it with the ports facing down. Turn it off immediately if the screen responds. If it is already off, leave it off. Do not keep tapping the display to test whether it still works, because electricity passing through damp components can increase the damage.
Remove the charging cable, headphones, USB accessories, case, wrist strap and any other attachments. If the model has a removable battery, take it out only if this can be done safely and without forcing the casing. Most current iPhones, Samsung Galaxy devices and Google Pixel phones have sealed batteries, so do not pry them open.
Eject the SIM tray and memory card if accessible. Pat the exterior with a clean, lint-free cloth, paying attention to the speaker openings, microphone holes and charging socket. Avoid pressing buttons repeatedly, shaking the handset or blowing forcefully into the ports.
If the phone becomes hot, begins to smoke, swells or gives off a chemical smell, place it on a non-flammable surface away from bedding, paper and direct heat. A damaged lithium-ion battery can be hazardous. Do not put a swollen or smoking phone in water or attempt to remove its battery.
Avoid charging, rice and direct heat
The most common mistake after liquid exposure is connecting the charger to see whether the phone still works. Moisture inside the USB-C or Lightning port can cause a short circuit or trigger corrosion. Wait until the phone has been professionally assessed, or until the port is completely dry and the manufacturer’s guidance allows charging.
Do not use a hairdryer, heat gun, oven, microwave or radiator. High heat can deform seals, loosen the screen adhesive and damage the battery. Compressed air can also force water deeper into the handset, so it is best avoided.
Rice is not a reliable drying method. Small grains and dust can enter the charging port or speaker mesh, while the rice does little to remove liquid trapped beneath the display or around the mainboard. Instead, leave the phone in a dry, well-ventilated place with the openings facing down. Silica gel packets placed nearby may help the surrounding air, but they are not a substitute for internal cleaning.
Many manufacturers advise allowing several hours before reconnecting a cable, and a longer period may be needed after full immersion. A dry exterior does not prove that the inside is safe.
Fresh water and salt water need different care
Fresh rainwater or tap water may cause less immediate damage than seawater, but it can still reach the charging assembly, microphones and logic board. Rain is a realistic risk during a sudden Melbourne weather change, a wet commute in Perth or an outdoor event in Hobart. Remove surface moisture promptly and keep the handset switched off.
Salt water is more urgent because salt crystals remain after evaporation and accelerate corrosion. If a phone has fallen into the ocean near the Gold Coast, Cairns or Adelaide beaches, do not turn it on after it dries. A repair technician may need to open the device, remove residue with appropriate equipment and inspect connectors before power is restored.
Pool water contains chlorine and other chemicals that can affect seals and metal contacts. Drinks such as cola, juice and coffee can leave sugars or acids behind. Do not assume that a phone is safe because it survived a brief splash. Liquid can continue moving through the device as it is carried, warmed in a car or placed in a pocket.
Some water-resistant phones have a liquid contact indicator inside the SIM area. This can help a technician determine whether moisture entered the device, although it does not show every type of exposure or reveal the full extent of damage.
Check symptoms without repeatedly testing it
Once the handset has had suitable drying time or has been examined by a technician, look for specific warning signs. A display that flickers, shows lines or develops dark patches may have moisture beneath the screen. Muffled audio, a microphone that stops recording and unreliable face or fingerprint recognition can indicate liquid in small modules.
Other signs include rapid battery drain, random restarts, a camera lens that fogs internally, wireless charging failure or a device that becomes warm while idle. Charging warnings should be treated seriously rather than overridden. A phone may boot successfully while corrosion is quietly developing on its board.
If the phone turns on after drying, back up important photos, contacts and authentication information as soon as possible, preferably over a trusted Wi-Fi connection and without connecting a cable. Then arrange an inspection if the handset was submerged or exposed to salt, pool chemicals or a sugary drink. Continued use can make later data recovery and repair more difficult.
Australian users should also consider mobile account access. If the damaged phone contains a digital wallet, banking app or two-factor authentication codes, use another trusted device to secure accounts and contact the bank or mobile provider if anything seems unusual. A temporary handset from a family member or an authorised retailer can help maintain access while the phone is assessed.
Compare repair and replacement options
An authorised service centre is usually the best option for a valuable phone, a device under warranty or a handset containing important work and personal data. Technicians can inspect the battery, clean internal contamination and test the display, cameras, charging circuit and wireless functions. Ask whether liquid damage is covered, because standard manufacturer warranties commonly exclude accidental water exposure even when a model has an IP rating.
Independent repairers may offer faster turnaround or lower prices, especially for older phones. Confirm that they use suitable replacement parts and provide a written assessment before approving work. Liquid damage can be progressive, so a repair quote should explain whether it covers cleaning only, a screen or battery replacement, board-level repair, or a complete device exchange.
Insurance may be available through a home contents policy, phone protection plan or a retailer. Check the excess, approved repair network, proof-of-purchase requirements and whether seawater or accidental immersion is included. Under the Australian Consumer Law, a phone must meet consumer guarantees, but those guarantees do not generally require a retailer to cover damage caused by an accident or liquid exposure.
Replacement may be more practical when the handset is several years old, the logic board is corroded or the repair cost approaches the price of a reliable new device. Before disposing of it, ask a qualified technician about data recovery and remove the SIM or memory card. If you are travelling in Japan or need guidance from NSC about device support, plans or handset services, you can contact the NSC team through its official enquiry page.
Protect your next phone from liquid damage
Water resistance is most effective when combined with sensible habits. Keep the phone in a sealed pouch at the beach, beside a pool or during a boat trip, and avoid leaving it on a damp bathroom bench. A lanyard case or floating pouch is useful for kayaking, fishing and family holidays, although it should not be treated as a guarantee against immersion.
Inspect the case and screen protector after drops, because cracks can compromise the seals around the display. Replace a worn case, keep charging ports free of lint and never charge a phone under a pillow or while it is wet. If you regularly work outdoors, a rugged case and a separate dry bag may be more useful than relying on the phone’s water-resistance rating.
Save important files to cloud storage and keep recovery codes somewhere accessible without the damaged handset. For business users, mobile point-of-sale devices, work phones and tablets should have a documented replacement process. A spare handset, managed backup and clear procedure can prevent a wet device from interrupting a small business in regional New South Wales or Victoria.
When liquid damage occurs, speed and restraint are the safest combination: switch the phone off, disconnect power, avoid heat and rice, and arrange qualified help when the exposure was substantial. For device advice, setup assistance or support with choosing a suitable replacement, contact NSC before a minor moisture incident becomes permanent damage.