You know, splashing water into our phones can happen to the best of us…
But if you’re worried about permanently damaging your phone…
Don’t, because I’ve got you covered.
Just…
Keep on reading to discover:
- 3 pro tips for drying out your phone safely.
- How to save your phone from water damage.
- A 9-step guide to getting water out of the charging port.
- And much more…
How to get water out of charging port – 9 steps
#1: Shut down your phone
“Turning it off removes the water out from the charging port?”
It won’t.
Actually, its purpose is to save your phone from any electrical damage.
And that’s what we’re here to do, right?
To proceed with the rest of this guide, you need to start by turning off your phone.
If you don’t shut down your phone, it might get damaged due to short-circuiting.
And that type of damage can be permanent.
#2: Take off your phone case
Yes, phone cases protect your phone from damage.
But not from water…
Moreover, water can get trapped in the space between your phone and your phone case.
And because of that, water can sneak into the charging port.
Plus, depending on your device, the water can go through places such as:
This allows excess water to go to the phone’s internal components, which would damage it.
And you won’t want that to happen. That’s why you should remove your phone case.
Then, wipe off any moisture from the phone’s surface. Use an absorbent cloth so no liquid can seep through.
At the same time, dry your phone case to get rid of excess moisture.
#3: Disassemble your phone
“What do you mean by that?”
I’m glad you asked.
And don’t worry, you don’t have to wreck your phone inside out.
This is what I mean by disassembling your phone:
- Retrieving the SIM card/s
- Acquiring the Micro SD card, if possible
- Removing the phone’s battery, if possible
SIM cards and Micro SD cards may be waterproof. But the moisture surrounding these cards may transfer to the inner circuitry.
For more information on different ways to eject SIM cards, watch this video:
Note: You can also use the same procedure to eject your Micro SD card.
Now, let’s talk about your phone’s battery, a.k.a the power source.
Due to the moisture, leaving it inside may fry up your phone’s internal components.
“But my phone’s battery is non-removable.”
Then, we’ll have to work with that.
But you don’t have to worry, though.
Instead, continue reading the article to learn more ways to save your phone.
And next up, we have…
#4: Put the phone’s body in an upright position
So here’s what you have to do.
Put your phone’s body in an upright position.
Note: The charging port must face the ground. So the water could flow out. If not, the water would flow inside, which could damage your phone.
For this step, we’re going to use the power of gravity.
As you already know, gravity makes falling possible…
And with its help, the water inside the charging port will drip down to the ground.
Pro tip: Hold your phone with one hand. Then, tap it very gently. This will make the water come out quickly.
#5: Clean charging port with rubbing alcohol
“Isn’t rubbing alcohol wet?”
Trust me on this one…
Alcohol is liquid, but it’s not water.
In fact, it absorbs water, which means that it could save your phone from it.
This may not make sense, so allow me to show you.
Here’s a little experiment you can do:
Wet your hands and put alcohol right away.
You’ll notice that your hands dry much faster.
See? So, are you convinced yet?
Okay. Now, here’s how you can proceed…
In a spray bottle containing rubbing alcohol, spray on the charging port.
Do this a few times, and you’ll remove water from the port.
Plus, water minerals that can cause corrosion or short circuit will be washed away.
#6: Place your phone in a hygroscopic environment
You might wonder what hygroscopic means, so here goes…
It’s a material’s ability to absorb moisture from its surroundings.
This means that a hygroscopic environment can help get water out of the charging port.
And the good news is…you can create one.
“But how do I do that?”
Remember Silica gels?
The one with the “do not eat” sign?
Those are called desiccants. And you need to use that type of material to create a hygroscopic environment.
In case you don’t have them stored in a shoebox somewhere…
Here are desiccants you could buy to help you drive water out from the charging port:
Pro tip: With the desiccant, put the phone inside an empty, sealed air-tight container. Doing so will help absorb the moisture inside, not the moisture circulating in the air.
#7: Dry your phone in a well-ventilated area
At this point, most moisture inside the phone should be gone by now.
Now you need an “icing on the cake”…
And allowing your phone to dry in a well-ventilated area is just the perfect one.
That’s a place where windows or doors are open. And that air flows inside and out from those points.
And as air could flow freely…
Your phone can continue to dry up in a well-ventilated area.
#8: Wait for your phone to dry
Remember. Good things come to those who wait.
So if you hastily use your phone before drying it out perfectly…
Then, it’s only a matter of time until you begin experiencing problems such as:
- Malfunctioning battery
- Glitches on your phone
- Damaged charging port
Pro tip: Most sites suggest letting your phone dry for a few hours only. But it’s recommended to let it sit for at least 24 hours before testing.
#9: Test your phone
After patiently waiting, it’s now time to test your phone.
Turn it on and observe if there are any problems.
Then, plug in your charger to see if it charges your device.
If it did, then you’ve successfully saved your phone from water damage.
In the case that your phone didn’t charge…
Try to repeat the drying process again.
You might also want to check out: What to do if AirPods get wet
What you should avoid when getting water out of a charging port?
You should avoid placing your phone in a bag of rice to get water out of a charging port. Don’t insert anything on the port as well. And don’t try to push any buttons or shake your phone.
Those are just among the few don’ts when dealing with a wet charging port…
And so, let me elaborate more…
#1: Placing the phone in a bag of rice
Contrary to popular belief…
Putting the phone inside a bag of uncooked rice can do more harm than good.
While it’s true that rice is hygroscopic, rice grains have come in different sizes.
With that said, smaller pieces can get stuck inside the charging port. And that could pose a risk of further damage.
#2: Inserting foreign objects
This is yet another myth about saving phones from water damage…
Trying to insert foreign objects into the port. And although you might do in good hopes of fixing your phone…
They can just create further damage.
But first, here are…
Common objects that are used to remove water in charging ports:
- Paper towels.
- Cotton swabs.
And yes, they can absorb water.
But even paper gets easily torn apart when wet.
So, they can get stuck, and now you’re in more trouble.
#3: Pushing buttons
Who wouldn’t panic when their phone got wet, right?
It’s a very natural reaction.
But let me tell you…
Pushing buttons doesn’t help.
In fact, it could push the water inside the device, which isn’t helpful for your phone at all.
#4: Shaking or tapping aggressively
Just like pushing buttons…
Shaking or tapping can only do more harm to your device than good. Especially when you do it aggressively.
And you might not be able to see it…
But water is definitely dancing with your phone’s inner components.
#5: Blowing into the charging port
I get it.
You just want to blow out the water droplets from the charging port.
The intention may be good…
But you might spew out saliva into the charging port.
Which is just going to add moisture.
#6: Using heat
“But heating causes water to evaporate.”
Yes, it’s 100% Science.
But it would also 100% destroy the components of your device…
Like melting wirings and overheating the battery.
Sure there won’t be any water left…
But you also won’t have a device to work with.
Which is why you shouldn’t use your oven. Even your blowdryer won’t do any help.
Lastly, never, ever leave your phone under the sun.
#7: Using vacuums
I know…
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
But don’t use vacuums to remove the moisture.
Because if you do, you’re going to get more than just water.
What to do when your charging port won’t work after getting wet?
You can opt for wireless charging when your charging port won’t work after getting wet. There are also wet-phone repair services that might be available in your area. If nothing works, it might be time to contact your phone brand’s support or buy a new phone entirely.
Let me elaborate on them one by one…
Starting with…
#1: Wireless charging
If you have a phone that’s suitable for wireless charging…
Switching may be the most practical option for you.
In this way, you could still charge your phone even if the port doesn’t work.
Interested?
Here’s what I recommend:
#2: Contact support
Your phone manufacturer can assist you with this issue.
Here’s what you can do:
- Go to their website.
- Look for contact details.
- Contact their customer service or tech support.
Note: Companies void a phone’s warranty due to water damage. Despite that, contact them to avail of replacement parts. If not, they can redirect you to people who can help.
#3: Avail wet phone repair services
Now might be the time to call the pros.
And there’s a great chance some of them are in your town or city.
Once you find someone that can do this repair…
They can diagnose your phone’s problem and provide you with a solution.
#4: Buy a new phone
If you’re not on a tight budget…
And you’re planning for a phone upgrade anyway…
You might consider buying a new one.
But this time, go the extra mile and get a waterproof phone…
So you can make sure your problem won’t happen again.
Looking for one?
Whether you prefer Apple or Android, I’ve got you covered.
Here it goes: