If one's cell phone drops into water what can be done to save it?

MonkeyOnALeash

Remove the battery IMMEDIATELY then place the phone in front of a heat source like a hair dryer (8-10 inches away so to not "cook" the phone) for a few hours and the phone should work as well as before. Reference: Personal experience Feb 08 08, 10:56 AM

christmaswitch

Another option is to put the phone in a closed container of rice the rice will absorb whatever moisture. Feb 08 08, 11:01 AM

Baloo55th

That should be dry rice out of a packet, not fresh boiled rice from the takeaway. Just in case.... Whatever happens, do NOT microwave it. Feb 08 08, 11:43 AM

MonkeyOnALeash

Oh come on now......SMD's and LCD's react beautifully to Microwave Radiation! Kaboom!!!! Spectacular little explosion! Feb 08 08, 12:14 PM

zbeckabee

The FIRST thing to do when you drop your phone in water is to IMMEDIATELY pull the battery off. DON'T turn the phone off first, pull the battery off. As soon as possible after this place the phone into some clean water, preferably some kind of pure water. If the phone was dropped into salt water, immediately rinse the phone thoroughly in clean water then place the phone into the water. Do not place the battery in the water, consider replacing it or at least dry it out thoroughly with a hair drier. Next step is to disassemble the phone OR take it to a service centre depending on your skills. ETC. http://www.wirelessgalaxy.com/cellularrelatedarticles/waterdamage_art.html Feb 08 08, 12:49 PM

star_gazer

Thank you all for the suggestions, but what will prevent the little metal pieces from eventually rusting? Feb 08 08, 1:45 PM

MonkeyOnALeash

Quick drying does not promote rust not to mention there is little to none ferrous content metal in a phone. Feb 08 08, 3:22 PM

Baloo55th

They're probably stainless or rustproof anyway. Many phones have plastic cases (exceptions being the Motorola RAZR V3 and V8 - my main phone - which are aluminium), so the case won't be affected. Contacts should be corrosion-proof, as phones sometimes have to operate in humid conditions. I mean places like Brazil, not swimming pools... If you dry it out properly - set Monkey's hairdryer on low heat not full blast - and it works, it'll last as long as it would have anyway. Two or three years seems to be a working life before fashion or battery problem leads to a change. I've had 5 in the last 15 years, just retiring the V3 to second phone. Feb 08 08, 3:24 PM

billythebrit

I dropped my phone down the toilet (don't try to pee and text at the same time - tricky), fished it out and just left it on the window sill for a few days. Was back working! But read in a mag that putting in a bag of white rice works. Feb 08 08, 3:42 PM