Phone dropped in water: what to do and what not to do¶

A phone that falls into a sink, a toilet, a pool, the sea or a puddle can look fine one moment and fail the next. The first few minutes decide how much damage the water does. Moving fast and doing the right things, and avoiding the popular myths, gives the device its best chance.

This guide covers what to do in the first minute, how to dry the phone safely, why rice and heat make things worse, how to handle salt water and other liquids, when to switch it on again, and when to take it to a repair shop. It also explains how to protect your photos, contacts and bank accounts if the phone does not recover. If the phone is also lost or broken, see broken or water damaged phone for repair routes, and lost or stolen phone while away from home if it was swept away.

Bëje këtë tani¶

1. Get the phone out of the water straight away. Every second counts. Do not stand and look at it. If it is in deep water or a fast current, do not put yourself at risk to rescue it.
2. Switch it off if it is on. Hold the power button and follow the prompts. Do not wait for it to finish an update or a call.
3. Do not press buttons, shake it or try to charge it. Pressing buttons can push water further in, and charging a wet phone can short circuit the battery.
4. Remove the case, cover, SIM tray and any cards. Lay the parts on a clean towel. Taking out the SIM tray opens one more path for water to escape.
5. Dry the outside gently with a soft cloth. Wipe the screen, the ports and the edges. Hold the phone with the charging port facing down and give it a gentle tap against your palm to let water drain.
6. Leave it in a dry place with good airflow. A shelf in a room at normal temperature is ideal. Wait at least a day, and do not turn it on or plug it in during that time.

What water does to a phone¶

Water itself does not always ruin electronics. The damage comes from water carrying electricity between parts that should be separate, and from minerals, salt and dirt that stay behind after the water dries. A phone that is switched off and dried quickly often survives, while a phone that is switched on or charged while wet can fail within minutes.

• Short circuits. Water links two points on the circuit board that should not touch. This can damage chips, the battery connector or the charging system.
• Corrosion. Metal contacts can turn green or white and stop working. Corrosion can appear days or weeks after the incident, so a phone that seems fine may fail later.
• Salt and minerals. Sea water, pool water and tap water leave deposits when they dry. These conduct electricity and eat away at metal.
• Screen and sensor damage. Moisture can get under the screen glass, or into the camera lens, speaker and microphone. Spots and fog in the camera are common signs.
• Battery problems. A wet battery can heat up, swell or fail. This is rare, but it is the most serious risk.

Water resistance ratings: what they mean and what they do not¶

Shumë telefona reklamohen si rezistent ndaj ujit. Kjo është një shtresë shtesë e dobishme, por nuk është një premtim që telefoni do të mbijetojë.

• Vlerësimet IP. Vlerësimi "IP67" ose "IP68" vjen nga një standard që teston një telefon të ri në ujë të pastër e të freskët në kushte laboratorike. Për shembull, IP67 do të thotë mbrojtje kundër pluhurit dhe zhytjes së përkohshme, shpesh deri në 1 metër (3,3 këmbë) për 30 minuta. IP68 zakonisht lejon thellësi ose kohë më të madhe, të cilën e deklaron prodhuesi.
• Rezistenca zbehet. Vulosja dhe ngjitja e vjetër me pika, nxehtësi, çarje dhe riparime. Një telefon që është dy vjeç ose i riparuar mund të mos ruajë mbrojtjen origjinale.
• Jo për çdo lëng. Vlerësimet zbatohen vetëm për ujin e ëmbël. Uji i kripur, uji i klorur i pishinës, sapuni, lëngjet, kafeja dhe pijet e tjera mund të dëmtojnë vulat dhe kontaktet.
• Presioni dhe lëvizja kanë rëndësi. Një zhytje, një rrymë uji ose një rënie në një lumë të shpejtë mund të tejkalojë kushtet e provës.
• Garancitë shpesh përjashtojnë dëmtimin e lëngjeve. Shumë prodhues deklarojnë se dëmtimi i lëngjeve nuk mbulohet, madje edhe për modelet rezistente ndaj ujit. Kontrolloni kushtet e telefonit tuaj dhe çdo sigurim shtesë.

Pra, trajtojeni një telefon rezistent ndaj ujit si një telefon që mund të ketë nevojë për të njëjtat hapa, veçanërisht nëse lëngu ishte ujë i kripur ose ndonjë gjë tjetër përveç ujit të pastër të freskët.

Hap pas hapi: ora e parë¶

Minuta një¶

Pick the phone up and hold it level or with the ports facing down. Turn it off. If the screen is dark, assume it may still be powered and do not plug it in. If you were on a call or filming, stop at once.

Minutes two to ten¶

Take off the case and any accessories. Remove the SIM tray with the pin or tool that came with the phone, and take out any memory card. Wipe the outside with a soft, lint free cloth or a clean paper towel. Pat gently, and do not rub.

Open any flaps or covers. Hold the phone with the charging port facing down and tap it gently against your hand a few times to shake out loose water. Do not swing it or shake it hard.

Minutes ten to sixty¶

Place the phone upright, ports down if it stays steady, in a dry, cool room on a clean towel. Leave the SIM tray open. Set a timer and do not touch the phone for a while. If the phone vibrates, lights up or makes a noise, leave it alone, and do not charge it.

If you are away from home, ask a hotel or shop for a clean towel, and find a safe, dry place to leave the phone. Use your time to protect your accounts and contact family, as described in the sections below.

What not to do¶

Many popular tips do more harm than good. Phone makers including Apple, Samsung and Google advise against several of them.

• Do not put the phone in rice. Rice does not draw out water well, and the dust and starch can get into ports and speakers. Apple specifically says not to put a wet device in a bag of rice.
• Do not use a hair dryer, oven, microwave or radiator. Heat can warp parts, melt adhesive, damage the battery and push moisture deeper. A hot phone can also burn you.
• Do not use compressed air. It can force water further inside and damage the speaker and microphone.
• Do not insert cotton buds, paper towels or tissues into ports. They leave fibres and push water in. A soft, dry brush is better if you must remove surface debris.
• Do not charge it or plug in any cable. Wait until the phone and the ports are dry.
• Do not press the power button repeatedly to see if it works. Each attempt can cause a short circuit.
• Do not freeze it. Ice crystals and condensation add more moisture.
• Do not open the phone unless you are trained. Most modern phones are sealed, and opening them can void any warranty and damage the battery.
• Do not leave it in the sun. Direct sun heats the battery and the glass.
• Do not ignore a hot or swollen phone. Keep it away from flammable items, and do not charge it.

Different liquids, different steps¶

The type of liquid changes what you should do next.

Fresh water (tap, rain, puddle, clean pool)¶

Follow the standard steps: off, dry, wait. Fresh water usually does less harm than other liquids, and a quick response often saves the phone. Chlorinated pool water is harsher than plain tap water, so treat it with more care.

Salt water and sea water¶

Salt is very corrosive and conducts electricity. Manufacturers such as Apple advise that if a device is exposed to something other than fresh water, you should rinse the exposed area gently with clean fresh water, then dry it. Keep the phone off while you do so. Salt left to dry will keep corroding, so do not delay.

Take it to a repair professional soon, even if it seems to work. See the repair section below.

Toilet water, sewage and dirty water¶

The risk is both to the phone and to your health. Wear gloves if you can, and wash your hands well after handling it. Wipe the outside with a mild disinfecting wipe that is safe for screens, and avoid soaking it. Because dirty water contains bacteria and minerals, the phone needs a professional clean.

For more on retrieving items from toilets and drains, see telefoni ose çelësat e rënë në kanalin e stuhisë, bosht ashensori ose tualet portativ.

Pije freskuese, kafe, çaj, verë dhe lëngje¶

Sugar leaves a sticky film that attracts dirt and corrodes metal as it dries. Turn the phone off and rinse the outside lightly with clean fresh water, taking care not to soak it, then dry it. A repair shop can clean the inside, and speed matters.

Soap, shampoo, bleach and cleaning products¶

Kimikatet mund të dëmtojnë vulat, ekranet dhe veshjet. Fikeni, fshijeni pjesën e jashtme me një leckë të lagur me ujë të pastër, thajeni dhe kërkoni këshilla për riparim. Mos përdorni zbardhues ose alkool për ta pastruar atë, përveç një fshirjeje të sigurt për ekranin.

Avulli dhe lagështia¶

A phone left in a steamy bathroom or a sauna may show a moisture warning. Move it to a cool, dry place and let it rest. If it was heated, do not charge it until it cools to room temperature.

When to turn it on again¶

Patience is the best treatment. Most manufacturers say to wait before charging, to let the inside dry.

1. Wait at least 24 hours for the phone itself. Some guidance says longer if the phone was submerged or exposed to anything other than fresh water.
2. Check the charging port. Look inside with a torch. If you see moisture or dirt, wait longer.
3. If the phone shows a "liquid detected" warning when you plug it in, unplug and wait. Apple says to disconnect and let the device dry, and it may take up to 24 hours or more, though the exact guidance depends on the model. For more detail, see charging port liquid detected, corrosion override and wireless charging.
4. Try a wall adapter and a cable you trust. Avoid cheap, damaged cables.
5. If the phone turns on, test it carefully. Check the screen, touch, speakers, microphone, camera, charging, Wi-Fi and fingerprint or face unlock.
6. Back up right away if it works. A rescued phone can fail later, so copy your photos and contacts to the cloud or a computer.
7. If it does not turn on, do not keep trying. Leave it for another day, then take it to a repair shop.

Wireless charging may be an alternative for phones that support it. It avoids the wet port, though it is not a guaranteed solution and the phone still needs to be dry.

Signs of hidden damage¶

Even if the phone works, look for problems over the next days and weeks.

• Foggy or spotted camera lenses.
• Muffled speakers or microphones.
• A screen with colour patches, lines or ghost touches.
• Charging that stops and starts, or a "liquid detected" message that keeps appearing.
• Fast battery drain or a hot battery.
• A phone that restarts by itself.
• Buttons that stick or fail.
• Green or white deposits visible in the SIM tray or ports.
• A moisture indicator that has changed colour. Many phones contain small stickers that turn red or pink when wet.

If you see any of these signs, back up your data and take the phone for a check.

Protect your data first¶

Fotografitë, mesazhet dhe llogaritë tuaja vlejnë më shumë se telefoni. Nëse telefoni është i lagur dhe nuk punon, filloni t'i mbroni menjëherë.

Nëse keni një kopje rezervë¶

Good. Sign in to your Apple or Google account on another device, and check that the latest backup includes photos and contacts. A new or borrowed phone can restore from it later.

If you do not have a backup¶

• Do not keep powering the phone on and off. Each attempt can cause more damage.
• Ask a repair shop about data recovery. Many shops can recover data from a damaged phone, though it may cost more than a simple repair.
• Check cloud services. Photos may already be in a cloud account, and contacts may be synced to your email.
• Check messaging apps. Some apps keep their own cloud backups. Sign in on another device to see.
• Check your computer. Old backups on a laptop may exist.
• Do not wipe or reset the phone unless you have a backup or you accept the loss.

Bllokojeni telefonin nëse mund të humbasë ose në duar të gabuara¶

If the phone fell into the sea, a river or a drain and you cannot retrieve it, treat it like a lost phone. Use Find My or Find Hub to lock it, contact your carrier, and follow the steps in lost or stolen phone while away from home. Remember that cards stored in a mobile wallet may need to be removed or frozen.

Accounts and two factor codes¶

If the phone is dead, you may not receive text codes or have your authenticator app. Use backup codes, or move the number to a new SIM. If you used an eSIM, you may need help from your carrier. Read eSIM i bllokuar në një telefon të thyer, të humbur ose të dëmtuar nga uji gjatë udhëtimit dhe Aplikacioni i vërtetuesit humbi gjatë përmirësimit të telefonit ose thyerjes së ekranit.

Udhëzues vendimi¶

flowchart TD
    A["Phone has been in water"] --> B["Take it out and switch it off"]
    B --> C["Remove case, SIM tray and cards"]
    C --> D["Wipe and tap water out with ports facing down"]
    D --> E{"Was it salt water, sewage or a sugary drink?"}
    E -- "po" --> F["Rinse the outside with clean water, dry it, go to repair soon"]
    E -- "Nr" --> G["Leave it in a dry room with airflow for 24 hours"]
    G --> H{"Does it turn on after waiting?"}
    H -- "po" --> I["Back up your data and watch for problems"]
    H -- "Nr" --> J["Do not keep trying and visit a repair shop"]
    F --> J
    I --> K{"Any signs of hidden damage?"}
    K -- "po" --> J
    K -- "Nr" --> L["Keep using it with a backup"]

Table: myths and facts¶

When to seek repair¶

Take the phone to a qualified repair shop, or to the manufacturer, if any of the following apply.

• The phone does not turn on after a day of drying.
• It was exposed to salt water, sewage or sugary drinks.
• It was submerged for more than a few seconds, or in deep water.
• It turned on but shows odd behaviour, a "liquid detected" message or hidden damage.
• The screen, camera, speaker or microphone is damaged.
• The battery is hot, swollen or draining fast.
• You need data recovered.

Choosing a repair service¶

1. Contact the manufacturer first. Ask about water damage policies, service plans and insurance. Even if liquid damage is not covered, they may offer a paid repair or a replacement.
2. Check your insurance. Home contents, travel insurance, credit card benefits and carrier plans sometimes cover phones.
3. Compare local repair shops. Look for good reviews and a clear quote. Ask whether they do a free diagnostic.
4. Ask about data. Tell them that your data matters, and ask how they treat it. A reputable shop does not need your passwords for a simple repair, though some tests need the phone to be unlocked.
5. Ask about warranty on the repair. Many shops give 30 to 90 days.
6. Weigh the cost. If the repair costs a large share of a new phone's price, replacement may be the better choice.

Before you hand it over¶

Remove your SIM and memory card. Turn off Find My or Find Hub only if the shop requires it, and turn it back on afterward. Note the model, serial number and IMEI.

Take photos of the phone's condition. Do not hand over your passcode unless you must, and change your passwords afterward if you did.

Protect your money and identity if the phone stays dead¶

If the phone does not recover and you rely on it for banking, work or transport, take these steps.

1. Get a replacement SIM or eSIM. Your carrier can move your number to a new device.
2. Use a temporary phone. A basic handset or an old phone can bridge the gap.
3. Change passwords from a trusted computer. Do this if you think the phone was left somewhere that others could get it.
4. Check your bank. If your banking app was on the phone, make sure no one else can use it. Contact the bank if you are unsure.
5. Restore from backup. Do this on the new phone, then turn on Find My or Find Hub and automatic backups.
6. Update your emergency details. If your number changed, update your family and your emergency card.

Prevention: keep phones away from water¶

• Use a waterproof pouch when near water. At the beach, on a boat, at a pool or in the rain, a cheap sealed pouch is worth it.
• Do not use the phone in the bath or shower. Steam, soap and dropping it are real risks.
• Keep the phone away from the edge of a sink, bath or toilet.
• Use a case with a good seal if you work outdoors.
• Check your phone's water resistance rating and its limits.
• Avoid fresh water myths. Do not rely on a "waterproof" label.
• Back up often. Turn on automatic backups so that a dunked phone does not mean lost photos.
• Keep a paper card with numbers. See gatishmëri telefonike para udhëtimit.
• Consider insurance for a costly phone.
• Keep a lanyard or wrist strap for boats and kayaks.

Situata të veçanta¶

Telefononi në një përmbytje ose pas një stuhie¶

Nëse telefoni juaj ishte në ujërat e përmbytjeve, trajtojeni si të kontaminuar. Uji i përmbytjeve bart ujëra të zeza dhe kimikate. Fshijeni me kujdes pjesën e jashtme me një pecetë të sigurt dhe mbajeni telefonin të fikur. Siguria juaj vjen përpara telefonit. Lexoni përmbytjet çfarë duhet bërë kur uji hyn në shtëpi.

Telefoni ra në det ose në liqen nga një varkë¶

Rikthimi mund të jetë i pamundur. Mos e rrezikoni veten të zhyteni për të. Kyçeni telefonin nga distanca, kontaktoni operatorin tuaj dhe përdorni hapat e humbur të telefonit. Nëse është një marrje e cekët dhe e sigurt, rikuperoni, fikeni dhe shpëlajeni me ujë të freskët sa më shpejt që të mundeni.

Fëmija i ra telefonin në tualet¶

Fikeni, hiqeni me doreza dhe lani duart dhe duart e fëmijës. Fshijeni telefonin siç përshkruhet më sipër. Mos përdorni nxehtësi dhe merreni për pastrim profesional.

Wet phone and a trip or event¶

Nëse duhet të udhëtoni ose të merrni pjesë në diçka pa të, lëvizni kontaktet tuaja kryesore dhe biletat në letër ose përdorni pajisjen e një miku. Një celular me parapagesë bazë mund të mbushë boshllëkun.

Orë inteligjente, kufje dhe tableta¶

Të njëjtat rregulla zbatohen. Fikeni ato, thani pjesën e jashtme dhe prisni. Mos i karikoni kur janë të lagur.

Shembuj të punuar¶

I rënë në lavamanin e kuzhinës me ujë enësh¶

Ngrini jashtë, fikeni dhe hiqeni kutinë. Shpëlaj asgjë nën rubinet. Fshijeni pjesën e jashtme me një leckë të butë, prekni anën e portës poshtë në pëllëmbën tuaj dhe më pas lëreni në një peshqir në një dhomë të thatë. Sapuni lë mbetje, prandaj dërgojeni në një dyqan riparimi nëse nuk funksionon normalisht pas një dite.

I rënë në një pishinë me një telefon të vlerësuar¶

Telefoni mund të jetë mirë, por klori është më i ashpër se uji i rubinetit. Fikeni, fshijeni, thani portën dhe lëreni për disa orë përpara se ta karikoni. Shikoni altoparlantin dhe mikrofonin për zërin e mbytur gjatë ditëve në vijim.

I rënë në det në plazh¶

Fikeni menjëherë. Shpëlajeni lehtë pjesën e jashtme me ujë të pastër të pastër, duke pasur kujdes që të mos njomni portat, më pas thajeni dhe nxirreni tabakën e kartës SIM. Mos e ndizni për të kontrolluar. Shkoni në një dyqan riparimi në të njëjtën ditë nëse mundeni, sepse kripa vazhdon të punojë pasi uji të thahet.

Bie shi në xhep gjatë një shëtitjeje të gjatë¶

Një njomje e shkurtër zakonisht është më pak serioze. Fikeni telefonin, fshijeni atë dhe prisni. Mbajeni larg nxehtësisë. Nëse funksionon pas një dite dhe nuk shfaqet asnjë paralajmërim, rezervojeni dhe vazhdoni, tani e tutje me një qese të papërshkueshme nga uji.

Telefoni ra në një banjë me dikë në të¶

Never reach for a plugged in device in water, and never grab a charging phone from a bath. If the phone was on charge, unplug the cable at the wall first, or switch off the power at the breaker, before you touch anything wet.

Only then lift the phone out. Electric shock in water is dangerous, so see electric shock if anyone felt a tingle or was hurt.

Gabimet e zakonshme që duhen shmangur¶

• Switching the phone on to check if it works.
• Charging it too soon.
• Using rice, heat or compressed air.
• Ignoring salt water or other liquids.
• Believing the water resistance rating guarantees safety.
• Not backing up after it recovers.
• Leaving the SIM and case on.
• Ignoring a hot or swollen battery.

Burimet e kontrolluara¶

• Apple Support: what to do if your iPhone gets wet, liquid detected in the charging port, and water resistance information.
• Samsung Support and Google Pixel Help: water resistance, IP ratings and advice for wet devices.
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): the IP rating standard for dust and water ingress.
• Consumer agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC, United States) and the UK Government consumer guidance, on repairs and warranties.
• Fire services guidance on lithium ion battery safety, including advice on swollen or overheated batteries.

Manufacturers update their advice with each model, so check the support page for your phone.

Pyetjet e bëra shpesh¶

A duhet të vendos një telefon të lagur në oriz?¶

Jo. Prodhuesit e telefonave, përfshirë Apple, këshillojnë kundër tij, sepse orizi nuk e largon mirë ujin dhe mund të lërë pluhur dhe niseshte brenda portave. Fikeni telefonin, thani pjesën e jashtme me një leckë të butë, nxirreni tabakën e SIM dhe lëreni në një dhomë të thatë me rrjedhje ajri.

Sa kohë duhet të pres përpara se të karikoj një telefon të lagur?¶

Prisni të paktën një ditë dhe më gjatë nëse telefoni ishte në ujë të kripur ose shihni lagështi në port. Karikimi kur është i lagësht mund të shkaktojë një qark të shkurtër dhe dëmtim të përhershëm. Nëse telefoni shfaq një paralajmërim për zbulimin e lëngjeve, hiqeni nga priza dhe lëreni të thahet më tej.

Telefoni im është rezistent ndaj ujit, kështu që a duhet të bëj ndonjë gjë?¶

Yes, if it was in anything other than clean fresh water, or for a long time, or if it is older. Water resistance is tested on new phones in fresh water, and it fades over time. Dry the phone, wait before charging and watch for signs of damage.

A mund t'i ruaj fotot e mia nëse telefoni nuk ndizet?¶

Possibly. Check whether the photos are already in a cloud account or a computer backup. A repair shop may also be able to recover data, so do not keep trying to switch the phone on or reset it.

Udhëzues të lidhur¶

• Telefoni i thyer ose i dëmtuar nga uji
• Lost or stolen phone while away from home
• Phone or keys dropped down a storm drain, elevator shaft or portable toilet
• Charging port liquid detected, corrosion override and wireless charging
• Përmbytjet