If the phone was plugged in to a charger when it got wet, unplug the charger from both the phone and the wall. Be extremely careful not to get any water near the wall socket or any other electrical devices. Many modern smartphones, including all iPhones beginning with iPhone 7, are actually water-resistant. [3] X Research source However, some models can handle more water exposure than others. Even if your phone is water-resistant, you can still use these methods to dry your phone without harm. Each water-resistant phone has a special rating that describes how much water it can handle: Phones with the IP68 rating can be submerged more deeply for a longer period of time. [4] X Research source iPhone XS, XS Max, all iPhone 11 models, all iPhone 12 models, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE are rated IP68, and can be submerged for up to 30 minutes at various depths. iPhone XS/Max and iPhone 11 can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water. iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max can handle being submerged in up to 4 meters of water. All iPhone 12 models can be submerged up to 6 meters. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy S20 FE can be submerged in up to 1. 5 meters of water. [5] X Research source Phones rated IP67 (iPhone SE 2nd Generation, and all models of iPhone 7, 8, X, and XR) can be submerged in up to one meter of water.

The interior components are crucial to the phone’s functions. If they get saturated with water, the phone won’t work. [10] X Expert Source Linh LeCertified Mobile Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.

If you don’t have a lint-free towel (such as a microfiber rag or eyeglass cleaning cloth), you could use standard paper towels or washcloths. You could also shake the phone rapidly back and forth through the air.

An air compressor set to a low psi could also be helpful in the absence of a vacuum. [12] X Research source Just don’t set the psi too high, as it could damage your phone. If you have a can of compressed air, you can use it to blow water out of cracks and seams in the phone’s exterior. Do not use a blow dryer or place the phone in an oven. Excessive heat can damage your phone beyond repair.

Do not use any other type of cat litter. Clay-based or powdery litters will stick to your phone and turn it into a wet, clay-covered mess.

If you don’t have instant oatmeal, regular rolled oats could be a decent (yet less effective) substitution. You may need to leave the phone in rolled oats for a day longer than instant oatmeal. Just don’t try steel cut, as they take forever to absorb liquid.

This option will only work if you’ve been saving up silica gel packets in advance for several months, or have purchased bulk packets. One or two packets won’t cut it—you’ll need enough to cover your phone completely.

The larger sized couscous pearls (often called “Israeli couscous”) won’t get dust on your phone’s components, and are large enough to not get stuck in any ports or openings. If you use standard couscous (the extremely small grains), you risk getting couscous stuck inside of your phone. Be sure to purchase an unflavored and unseasoned variety of couscous.

You can leave out the phone’s plastic back cover, as it will air dry easily.

Put a lid over the container if you’re using an inedible drying agent like silica gel.

If you need to use your phone during this time, you could ask a friend if you can briefly borrow their phone—it’s really important to wait this process out.

If the phone is not dry, wait another 24 hours. Do not continue if the phone is still wet!

If the phone won’t turn on after you’ve dried it—or if it turns on but barely works or the screen has been damaged—you’ll need to take it to a professional phone-repair company. [19] X Expert Source James BellPhone Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 25 May 2022. [20] X Expert Source Linh LeCertified Mobile Repair Specialist Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.