When your smartphone is exposed to water, even a few drops can lead to temporary or permanent damage. This usually happens when liquid enters your phone through the speakers, audio jack, charging port, or SIM tray. However, you may be able to retrieve your data if you act quickly and the damage is minimal.
However, even if your phone is completely unresponsive, there are still ways to recover your lost files. In this article, we will walk you through how to recover data from a water-damaged phone that won’t turn on and tips to prevent water damage in the future.
Steps to Recover Data From a Phone Damaged by Water
Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to recover data from a phone that has been damaged by water:
Turn Off the Phone Immediately
If you have a wet phone, power it off instantly, even if it looks fine. Keeping your phone on may do more damage than the water itself. That’s why you should also avoid pressing any buttons or shaking the phone, as it causes water to seep deeper into the hardware.
Dry the Exterior
Gently wipe your phone using a dry, soft cloth to absorb visible moisture. Don’t blow dry your phone, as excessive heat can damage delicate internal components. You should also focus on drying areas such as the SIM tray, the speaker openings, or the charging port.
Remove the SIM Card and SD Card
Consider taking out your SD card, if your phone has one, and your SIM card to keep your important messages, media files, or contacts safe. After removing them, place them on a dry cloth and let them air-dry naturally before inserting them into another device.
Place the Phone in a Dry Area
Instead of tilting your phone in different directions or shaking it, place it in a dry, clean area. Leave it to dry, keeping it turned off to prevent further damage.
Use the Rice Method (Optional)
Some people recommend the rice method, which involves placing your phone in uncooked rice for 24 to 48 hours. The rice can absorb some moisture from your wet phone. It’s more effective to use silica gel packets, if you have any, as they are designed to absorb moisture more effectively.
Try a Soft Reset
After leaving your phone to dry for more than 24 hours, try turning it on. If your phone doesn’t turn on, try to soft reset it by pressing the volume up and volume down buttons and then holding the power button. However, if your phone is still unresponsive, don’t take any further steps.
Check for Backups
If you have backed up your phone, your data may have been stored in Google Drive, OneDrive, Samsung Cloud, or iCloud. You can log into these accounts from another device to find your data.
Seek Professional Help
After trying all these methods, if your phone isn’t responding, a repair expert might be able to help. Consider taking your phone to a reputable phone repair center. Skilled technicians use their specialized tools and techniques to extract your important data from devices damaged by water.
Backup Your Data Regularly
Accidents like water damage can happen anytime. To avoid this stress in the future, consider setting up automatic backups for your device. This way, even if your phone is damaged by water, your data will be safe.
Understanding Water Damage and Its Impact on Phones
Water damage can significantly affect your phone, and its effects can show up instantly or over time. In the short term, you might notice unresponsive buttons, muffled speakers, or a battery that won’t charge properly. If the damage is extensive, your phone may not turn on at all.
Even if your phone has survived the initial water damage, the moisture trapped inside it can lead to slow corrosion. Over time, it can cause screen discoloration, random shutdowns, and overheating. It’s important to understand these effects and repair your phone immediately to avoid costly repairs and irreversible damage.
How to Recover Data From an iPhone Damaged by Water
If your iPhone has been damaged by water, acting fast can help you recover your data.
Here’s how you can recover data from an iPhone damaged by water.
Step 1: Power Off Your iPhone Immediately
If your iPhone was damaged by water, don’t use it at all. Move your device away from the water source and then power it off.
Step 2: Dry It Carefully
To safely dry your water-damaged iPhone, wipe off visible moisture with a microfiber cloth. Then, place your phone in a container with uncooked rice or silica gel packets.
Step 3: Check for Backups
If your iPhone was backed up, your data might be safe.
- Check Your iCloud Account: Log into iCloud on another device and check for a backup.
- Check For Your Data On iTunes: If you have synced your iPhone with any computer, you can restore your data from iTunes.
Step 4: Visit a Reputable Repair Store
If your iPhone doesn’t turn on, bring it to 911 Phone Repair. Our professional technicians use specialized tools to extract data from your water-damaged device.
How to Recover Data From an Android Damaged by Water
Follow this step-by-step guide to recover important data from an Android device damaged by water:
Step 1: Power Off the Device Immediately
Even if your device looks fine, turn it off right away. If you use a wet phone, it can cause irreversible damage.
Step 2: Dry Out Your Android Device
Then, remove your SD card and SIM card and wipe your phone with a clean, dry cloth. You can use silica gel to absorb internal moisture.
Step 3: Check Your Cloud Backups
Your Android devices have built-in cloud backups, such as:
- Samsung Cloud: If you are a Samsung phone user, you can log into your Samsung account on another device to access your backups.
- Google Drive: If you have enabled it, your photos, documents, and contacts will be stored safely in Google Drive.
Step 4: Consult a Repair Specialist
You can bring your Android phone to 911 Phone Repair if none of these methods work. Our professional technicians may be able to retrieve your data and repair your phone.
Tips to Prevent Water Damage in the Future
Whether it’s a drop in the pool, exposure to rain, or an accidental spill, water damage can affect your phone. Following effective prevention tips can help you save both time and money in the long run.
Here are some ways to protect your smartphone from water damage:
- Use a Waterproof Case: Consider investing in a high-quality waterproof case to protect your phone from accidental water spills.
- Back Up Your Data Regularly: To keep your phone’s data safe, you can enable automatic cloud backups.
- Know Your Phone’s IP Rating: Even water-resistant phones have their limits. That’s why it’s important to know your phone’s water resistance rating.
When to Seek Professional Help for Water Damage?
If you have already tried several DIY methods and your phone is not working properly, that’s when you should consider seeking professional help.
Here are some key signs that it’s time to reach out to an expert:
- Your phone remains unresponsive or lags
- Your screen flickers or the touch function has stopped working
- Your phone keeps restarting
- Your speakers or microphone are not working
Contact Expert Phone Repair Services At 911 Phone Repair In Oklahoma
Having a phone damaged by water can be frustrating if you have important data on your phone. Sometimes, drying your phone or checking for backups may help you retrieve your lost files. However, if you can’t get access to your data, seeking professional assistance might be the most suitable solution for you.
At 911 Phone Repair, our expert technicians specialize in repairing phones damaged by water and providing data recovery services. Whether your phone has minor liquid damage or severe internal damage, our team can help you recover your data. Contact us today for reliable data recovery and cell phone repair.