Our smartphones go everywhere with us. They keep us connected, informed, and entertained. We use them for work emails, social media updates, navigation, and much more. So, high-tech phones play a huge role in our daily life. Yet, damages may occur and one of the biggest dangers lies in water.
Be it from accidental spill, a drop into the pool, or an unexpected rainstorm, the moisture can highly damage your phone’s internal components. Even a small amount of moisture can cause hardware failure, screen issues, or complete system breakdown if you don’t solve the problem.
In order to lower the need for repair we’ll show you how to protect your phone from any such issues and keep it safe and functioning for longer.
Why is water dangerous for phones?
Modern smartphones have water-resistant designs, indeed. Still, no matter how durable they are, the devices remain vulnerable to liquids. The moisture can cause issues with sensitive internal components, including the motherboard, charging port, battery, and audio jack. If you don’t solve the issue promptly, moisture can lead to short circuits, corrosion, and permanent failure. To prevent such issues and potential data loss we’ll show you some tips and accessories to help you out.
Waterproof case
One of the most effective ways to prevent damage is to use a waterproof case. It forms a seal around your phone and keeps water, dust, and dirt to cause any issues out. If you’re browsing for such an accessory, check for:
- IP rating: Look for cases with an IP68 rating or higher because they provide maximum protection against moisture.
- Durability: Choose a case made from durable materials less prone to damages from drops and impacts.
- Ease of use: Go for a case that allows you full access to the touchscreen, buttons, and charging ports.
If you use a high-quality waterproof case you can prevent costly water damages and avoid expensive repair and replacements down the line.
Hydrophobic screen protector
A hydrophobic screen protector is another helpful accessory allowing for an additional layer of protection. They come with repellent coatings which cause liquids to roll off the screen rather than sticking to it. Thus, now the risk of moisture causing display malfunctions is much lower.
Hydrophobic screen protectors are made from tempered glass or nano-coating films. At the same time their surfaces maintain the display’s visual clarity and touch sensitivity. The benefits of such an accessory are:
- Water resistance: The liquids roll off the screen and aren’t able to cause device malfunction.
- Cleaner surface: Since the layer is hydrophobic it doesn’t allow for residue from fingerprints to remain on the screen and you’ll have an easier time to clean the surface.
At the same time, if the protector is made of tempered glass, it offers extra protection from scratches, cracks, and accidental drops.
Keep your device safe and secure
The simplest and most effective way to prevent water damage is by keeping your phone away from moisture-prove environments. Such areas include bathrooms, kitchens, and swimming pools. If you avoid risky scenarios you can significantly reduce the likelihood of damage.
It’s particularly dangerous to use your smartphone near water sources. Even the resistant models are prone to issues when exposed to moisture for extended periods. Also, if the seals are not quite tight, then liquids can still damage the phone. Here are some practical tips:
- Use waterproof pouches: When swimming, fishing, etc., place your phone in a waterproof pouch or dry bag. That way your device will be sealed and protected.
- Avoid wet surfaces: Don’t place your mobile on damp or wet surfaces because the droplets can seep into the ports or jacks.
- Seal your phone in a plastic bag: When you’re out in the rain, keep your device in a resealable plastic bag or waterproof sleeve. That way you can use the device, yet it’ll be much safer from damage.
With some prevention you can keep your phone safe, dry, and functioning. After all, it’s best to not have to deal with any repair at all.
Protect the charging port
The charging port is one of the most common points where damage occurs. Even minimal exposure can cause lots of issues and lead to short circuits, corrosion, and battery failure. Since charging ports are directly connected to the phone’s power system, you have to keep them dry. Or repair them later.
If liquids enter the charging port they can stop the charger port from properly working and trigger error messages. Sometimes your device can even stop working altogether. So, here’s how to protect yourself from such issues:
- Use protective port covers or plugs: Invest in charging port covers or rubber plugs because they act as physical barriers that don’t allow moisture, dust, and debris to enter the charging port and cause malfunctions.
- Dry the port with a microfiber cloth: If the charging port gets wet, dry it out gently with a soft microfiber cloth. Don’t use tissues or paper towels because they leave behind lint and may even cause additional damage.
- Allow the phone to air dry: Before you try to charge the battery again, make sure that the port is completely dry. Then put the device sitting upright somewhere with a good ventilation, so that the smartphone could dry naturally. Don’t use heat sources because they push water further into the device. Or lead to heat damage of other sensitive components.
- Use waterproof bags or pouches: If you need to protect your smartphone when you’re outside on an adventure like hiking, kayaking, or beach trips, you can use waterproof bags or pouches. They seal your device and keep it safe from liquids, sand, dirt, and even snow.
Such accessories come in various sizes and designs. Thus, lots of them are compatible with a wide range of smartphone models. They shield your device from the elements and let you use your full touchscreen functionality. So, you can keep your device safe and use it freely at the same time.
How to fix a phone with water damage?
Even if you take proper precautions, accidents happen. If your smartphone gets wet, make sure to act quickly so that you save your device instead of having to repair it later. In case of need follow these steps to solve the issues promptly:
- Turn off the power: Switch your device off so that no electrical damage occurs. After all, lots of issues can arise from short circuits, which can occur if the device is still powered while wet.
- Remove external accessories: Make sure to take off SIM, as well as the case and the screen protector. As much of the device as possible should be exposed to open air. This allows it to dry quicker and prevents trapped moisture.
- First steps to dry your device: Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe away moisture from the screen, charging port, buttons, and headphone jack. Then leave the device somewhere ventilated and allow it to dry without direct sunlight or heat sources like hair dryers. The latter can push moisture deeper into the device or provoke heat damage to internal components.
- Use Silica Gel packets: They can be truly effective for moisture absorption. Place some of those in a sealed bag and put your phone in it. Leave it to dry around 24-48 hours.
With such steps taken quickly you can save your device from huge damages and avoid the need for repair.
When to seek professional water damage phone repair
If your device still doesn’t function after you try to dry it out or if it’s too wet, then you’d do best to contact a professional repair service and you’ll receive expert diagnostics and repairs for damaged components.
Professional repair shops offer you the following benefits:
- Expert technicians: Certified specialists can perform proper inspection and check what’s the exact issue, then repair it.
- Advanced equipment: the repair shops use professional-grade tools so that they can clean your device properly and make sure it’s not keeping any moisture.
It’s easier to prevent any device issues from the get-go rather than deal with repair in the future. With the right protective accessories and proper habits you can keep your phone safe from water-related issues. And don’t hesitate to contact professionals for expert phone repair services.