Disaster!
There may be a reason to cry over spilt milk: you’ve just created a mobile cocktail. Either your phone has slipped out of your back pocket and into the loo, or your ‘friend’ has marinated your mobile in a bottle of red.
Is this the end?
Not necessarily. The key here is to act quickly. The faster you get your mobile out of the liquid, the better chance you have of saving it. Some liquids will make it harder for you than others. If you decide to take a swim with your phone at the beach, you may be up for a challenge –salty water can easily corrode the circuitry. If this happens to you, some experts recommend carefully rinsing the phone to remove the salty residue first.
Seven steps to saving your mobile:
1. Like we said, get the phone out of the liquid as quickly as possible. These first moments are crucial.
2. Ensure the phone is turned off. Don’t be tempted to check if the mobile still switches on – it can short circuit the battery. If the phone is on when it’s wet, it can also cause further damage to other components and you could get electrocuted.
3. Remove the battery and sim.
4. Shake the excess moisture off the mobile, battery and sim (but be gentle!)
5. Now’s the time to grab your most absorbent cloth to draw out the excess liquid and pat the components dry. If you only have a a tissue or paper towel, avoid getting pieces stuck in the interior of your phone.
6. Some people recommend a bowl of rice to absorb the water from the phone –this could make the drying process quicker. Others recommend a hairdryer: we don’t. A hairdryer can heat up your phone or its components and cause further damage such as warping. Nobody likes an exploded battery. Needless to say, no micro ovens.
7. Leave the phone to dry for about a day, remembering to keep it switched off.
The Moment of Truth
After a day or two, it’s time to see if there will be light again. Make sure everything is dry. If it still doesn’t switch on, leave the phone for another day to dry off, and try again. After a couple of tries, it might still be the battery. Try to recharge it.
Insurance
Unfortunately many mobile insurance plans don’t cover liquid damage, which can be fairly easy to spot when they check the interior of the handset. Some mobiles contain a sticker inside which turns a certain colour when it is exposed to water.
Moving on
If you feel like you’ve done all you can, see if you can save the sim and its contents by taking it in to the mobile shop you purchased it from.
If you attempt all these steps and fail, be confident there are many more of us out there who have felt your pain.