How to Deal with a Droid thats Gotten Wet–THE RIGHT WAY

[medicTHREE]

How to Save a Wet Cell Phone: 9 steps (with video) - wikiHow

Or Maybe get one of these...
How to Protect Expensive Mobile Phones, iPods from Water and Dust - Digital Inspiration

Skins Mobile

Honestly, the first link just wants you to use a blow dryer or fan or vent. Like I have said so many times I can't count--the most important part about the longevity and function of your phone is making sure none of the minerals are left too.

[r-dubya]

I have been unfortunate to loose a few phones this way. Last time it happened though I had a brilliant idea. I work in a quality test lab that conducts all sorts of tests on seismic marine (underwater) cables. Naturally we had a large water tank that we use to pressurize our cables up to 8000 psi to simulate ocean bottom environments. The phone (a blackberry 8330) was in my shirt pocket as I leaned over the tank to grab a cable...

After 15 minutes of fishing for it I was able to retrieve it. I removed the battery immediately (remember, this has happened to me before) and thought for a minute. Then it struck me. We use an oven vacuum chamber to simulate aging on our cables (we also use a cold weather environment chamber, in cycles cold, hot, cold, hot, cold etc...) I put the phone in the vacuum chamber, set the temp to cycle from room temp to 120 F for 3 hours...

Removed the phone from the vacuum chamber, and was pleasantly surprised. No more moisture behind the screen, dry as a bone. I hesitated to put the battery back in, but alas; I made the leap of faith. I turned it on, and it worked like a charm. Basically I had just figured out how to give my phone a bath.

I am aware that almost NOBODY will have this equipment available to them for use. So OP, thanks for the great information and intuitive thinking!

Dubya, out -

[Backnblack]

the most important part about the longevity and function of your phone is making sure none of the minerals are left too.

How about not getting wet in the first place....

[r-dubya]

the most important part about the longevity and function of your phone is making sure none of the minerals are left too.

How about not getting wet in the first place....

Sometimes it is just unavoidable. Stuff happens. Your kid spilles a drink on it, your buddies know over a beer on the table with your phone, YOU knock over a beer on the table, you get thrown in the pool, or you could read my post right above yours and see what happened to me.

Its a consequence of the "mobile" part of your device. To think otherwise would be simply ignorant...

Dubya

[Backnblack]

the most important part about the longevity and function of your phone is making sure none of the minerals are left too.

How about not getting wet in the first place....

Sometimes it is just unavoidable. Stuff happens. Your kid spilles a drink on it, your buddies know over a beer on the table with your phone, YOU knock over a beer on the table, you get thrown in the pool, or you could read my post right above yours and see what happened to me.

Its a consequence of the "mobile" part of your device. To think otherwise would be simply ignorant...

Dubya

Sure, I understand that...That's why I have insurance...

[tranz]

Insurance takes it's time, and may well not replace your same model old phone, and won't replace any data since your last backup. The "different model" isn't always good or bad, but I had major trouble with them not replacing a Treo I once had.

[Johnly]

That is eerily similar to some other articles out there. Those are correct procedures, but one must remember, only luck will allow those steps to be successful. Rice is a hoax. A hair dryer set on low about a 18'' away from the device will dry it in 15 minutes.

[Backnblack]

Insurance takes it's time, and may well not replace your same model old phone, and won't replace any data since your last backup. The "different model" isn't always good or bad, but I had major trouble with them not replacing a Treo I once had.

Takes a few days...Granted...That why you have a old phone to place on the account. Any data I have that I consider critical I either backup or email to myself...But thats just me. Phone gets a bath....screw it and move on. YMMV

[medicTHREE]

That is eerily similar to some other articles out there. Those are correct procedures, but one must remember, only luck will allow those steps to be successful. Rice is a hoax. A hair dryer set on low about a 18'' away from the device will dry it in 15 minutes.

It is eerily similar because I have written 3 of them similar to this, as well as gathered info from about 20 different sources to find the best information possible, while using personal experience.

Like I've said 100 times already, a hair dryer might dry it out, but it won't remove the mineral deposits left behind from your water or worse... urine or beer.


One thing to remember, this alcohol method COULD damage your droids rubber parts. Distilled water is a very viable 2nd option to alcohol and one we used in Electronics Assembly to wash parts too delicate for alcohol.

Rice IS a hoax. The reason it works is simple... people let the phone dry out, the rice did jack.

[Johnly]

That is eerily similar to some other articles out there. Those are correct procedures, but one must remember, only luck will allow those steps to be successful. Rice is a hoax. A hair dryer set on low about a 18'' away from the device will dry it in 15 minutes.

It is eerily similar because I have written 3 of them similar to this, as well as gathered info from about 20 different sources to find the best information possible, while using personal experience.

Like I've said 100 times already, a hair dryer might dry it out, but it won't remove the mineral deposits left behind from your water or worse... urine or beer.


One thing to remember, this alcohol method COULD damage your droids rubber parts. Distilled water is a very viable 2nd option to alcohol and one we used in Electronics Assembly to wash parts too delicate for alcohol.

Rice IS a hoax. The reason it works is simple... people let the phone dry out, the rice did jack.

well, thanks for the info, I actually did allot of research on this topic for a friend, and I think luck plays the major roll, but what you posted is very helpful and accurate, but after a solute treatment, skip the BULL and get the hair dryer on it and get it dry immediately as the rubber parts have a much better chance of survival The less time wet, the greater the luck!