How to Get Water Out of Your Phone: What to Do in the First Hour

The first five minutes

1. Get it out fast. Every second underwater lets more water past the seals.
2. Don’t press buttons or plug it in. If the phone is not water-resistant (no IP67/IP68 rating) or is acting strangely, power it off.
3. Remove the case, and on older phones the SIM tray, to let trapped water out.
4. Dry the outside with a lint-free cloth.
5. Shake and tap the phone gently with each opening (speaker, port, mic) facing down.

Get water out of the speaker

A muffled, crackly speaker is the most common symptom. Once the phone is working normally, play the water eject sound with the speaker facing down. The 165 Hz tone makes the speaker cone pump air, pushing droplets out of the grille — you’ll often see them appear on the screen or table. Repeat 2–3 times. Device guides: iPhone, Samsung, Android.

Get water out of the charging port

Never charge with a cable while the port is wet. Tap the phone port-down and let it air-dry for 30 minutes to 24 hours. Use wireless charging meanwhile. Full steps: how to get water out of a charging port.

Water behind the camera lens?

Fog or droplets inside the camera usually mean water got past the seals. Keep the phone off, store it in a warm (not hot), dry room with airflow and check after 24–48 hours. If moisture stays, the camera module or seals need professional service.

The next 24 hours

• Leave the phone upright in a dry room with some airflow; a fan at low speed helps.
• Use silica gel packets in a sealed box if you have them — they work far better than rice.
• Avoid heat: no hair dryer, oven, microwave or radiator.
• Don’t charge with a cable until any liquid detected or moisture warning has cleared.

Salt water, chlorine or a sugary drink

These leave residue that causes corrosion. For water-resistant phones, a brief rinse under gentle fresh tap water, followed by the steps above, removes salt and sugar. Phones without a water-resistance rating should be powered off and taken to a repair shop quickly.

Does rice work?

Not really. Rice absorbs moisture slowly and only from the air around it; it doesn’t pull water out of sealed parts, and it can leave starch dust in ports. Air-drying with airflow is as good or better. More: does putting your phone in rice work?

When to see a repair shop

• The phone won’t turn on, restarts randomly or gets hot.
• The screen shows lines, spots or flicker.
• The phone was in salt water or a sugary drink and isn’t water-resistant.
• Sound is still muffled after 24 hours and several water eject cycles.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do immediately after dropping my phone in water?

Take it out, power it off if it is not water-resistant, remove the case, dry the outside, and shake it with the openings facing down. Do not charge it.

How long should I wait before turning my wet phone on?

For a water-resistant phone that still works, you can keep using it. For other phones, wait at least 24 hours with airflow before turning it on.

How do I get water out of my phone speaker?

Play a 165 Hz water eject sound with the speaker facing down, repeat 2 to 3 times, then let the phone air-dry.