What to Do if You Drop Your Phone Down the Toilet 

Smartphones are a vital part of our daily lives. They come with us everywhere we go, and that includes to the restroom. However, as you might already know, this doesn’t always end well. As you stare at your phone in the water at the bottom of the bowl, it can feel like the end of the world. But, there are a surprising number of ways that you can save your phone and all the important data and memories on it. Here are some surefire steps to save your phone from water damage. 

Prevention is Always Easier than Cure 

First of all, don’t panic! We’ve all been there, modern smartphones are just so slippery. You’re not the first person to drop their phone down the toilet, and you definitely won’t be the last. 

The worse-case scenario is that your phone does not turn back on due to water damage. This means you’ll lose everything that was stored on it, and you’ll have to shell out for a new phone. This might not have been in your budget, but a second-hand smartphone shouldn’t cost you too much as a replacement. 

But, this does highlight a great point for prevention. Make sure to backup your phone regularly, just in case it does end up in the loo at some point. This way you’ll keep all the important data that was on your phone and can load it onto a replacement at any time. 

You can also reach out to your phone’s manufacturer and see if they provide insurance for this very thing. This way you’ll get a replacement phone with minimal hassle. However, if you don’t already have insurance or a backup, they won’t help you much now your phone has taken a dive. 

How to Save Your Phone from Water Damage 

1. Don’t Flush Your Toilet 

No matter what’s swimming around in the bowl with your phone, make sure you don’t flush your toilet. Simply grab a pair of washing-up gloves if you have some, and fish your phone out. We probably don’t have to remind you, but wash your hands afterwards. 

2. Turn Your Phone Off 

Next, you’ll want to lay your device on some cloth or paper towel and shut it down. Most phones will automatically turn off as soon as they sense water in their systems. However, if your phone is particularly hardy, you should shut it down anyway. This will prevent water from spreading throughout the delicate and connected electrical circuits within your phone. 

3. Remove the SIM Card 

The next thing you’ll need to do is carefully remove your SIM card from your phone. If this requires you to remove your phone case, be very careful not to let the water run into the headphone or charging ports. Your SIM stores a lot of important data such as your contacts, so you’ll want to save it as soon as possible. Not to mention, if your SIM card is damaged you’ll have to contact your network provider, as well as your phone’s manufacturer. 

If you can, you should also remove your phone’s battery as this is a principal piece of kit. This won’t always be possible however, especially with most modern smartphones. So, don’t try and take your phone apart if you won’t be able to reach the battery anyway. 

4. Dab the Excess 

Grab an absorbent cloth, preferably one that won’t leave any fibres on your phone. Now, gently dab any water that is still on the screen or the back of your phone. Make sure not to rub as you can push more moisture into the intricate inner workings of your phone. Instead, blot and wait for your cloth to soak up the water. Work slowly, and try not to turn your phone upside down as this could also cause water to run into your phone’s electrics. 

5. Use the Rice Trick 

You might think this is a modern myth, but putting your phone in rice is your best bet to save it from water damage. This is because rice, by its very nature, absorbs water from even the smallest of spaces. Simply fill a bowl with dry, uncooked rice, and submerge your phone completely. The hardest part is waiting for 48 hours at a minimum for your phone to dry out. When you take it back out, use tweezers to remove any rice that might have gotten stuck in your headphone or charging ports. 

And now for the moment of truth, turn your phone back on and assess any long-term damage. If your phone won’t turn on or has some screen colouring issues, there are still ways you can get it fixed. 

Repair Your Phone 

Ridding your phone of water damage can run you quite a price. However, you’ll often find that repairing your smartphone is much more affordable than buying a replacement. You might find your phone’s manufacturer is a little apathetic to any repairs, as they of course want you to shell out on a new device. In this case, third-party phone repairs such as screen replacement in Barnsley are your best bet. 

The inner workings of your smartphone are incredibly intricate. But, depending on how far the moisture has spread within your phone, a phone repair expert can remove these damaged parts and replace them. The price you’ll pay depends on which parts are damaged and how much a replacement part will cost, as well as any labour required in fixing it. It’s always worth checking the viability of repairing your phone before you start searching for a new one.