Guide: How to Tell if Your Phone has Water Damage

We invest so much into getting the perfect phones. But phones go with us everywhere, putting them at risk — especially risk of water damage. This leaves many wondering how to tell if your phone has water damage.

Here’s a look at how to tell if your phone has water damage, as well as steps to take if and when your phone is damaged by water.

Indicators for Water Damage

Water damage happens to phones all the time. Some people dive into pools with phones in their pockets. Some people drop phones in drinks. In, fact water damage is so common that phone manufacturers have created water damage indicators. Here’s a look at where to find those indicators:

How to Tell if Your iPhone is Water Damaged

Every iPhone has a water damage indicator. The indicator is typically located inside or near the SIM card slot. You’re looking for a patch that is colored red. If you see red, the iPhone is telling you that it has experienced water damage. If the patch is white or white with a pattern, there is no damage.

That said, there are several things that can create a false trigger of the water damage indicator. For example, if you have your phone in the bathroom when you take a hot, steamy shower, the water damage indicator may get triggered.

Different models of the iPhone have different water damage indicator locations. Early iPhones included indicators both inside the headphone jack as well as near the SIM card slot. Perform a Google search to see where your specific model’s indicator is located. You may need a flashlight to see the indicator clearly.

How to Tell if Your Android is Water Damaged

Android’s water damage indicators are typically found on the back of the battery. Look for a small white patch with a reddish pattern on it, or look for a pink patch. If your phone’s patch is still white with a reddish pattern, there is no water damage. If the patch looks pink, the reddish pattern has bled to indicate water damage.

Not all Android phones have removable batteries. If your phone does not have a removable battery, perform a Google search to find where exactly the water damage indicator is located.

How to Get Water Out of Your Phone

Now that you know how to check for water damage, what do you do after you’ve discovered that your phone has indeed suffered damage? Simply follow these 4 steps:

1. Keep it Off: Never attempt to turn your phone on. Even if you’re curious if it’s still working, avoid the temptation. Trying to turn your phone on could create an electrical short and additional damage. Don’t even charge it or connect it to a computer.
2. Dry by Hand: Use a gentle cloth to dry your phone by hand as best you can. Take out the SIM card, and make sure your cloth gets into as many nooks as possible, including the SIM card slot, the headphone jack and any other hard-to-reach spots.
3. Use Some Rice: Fill a plastic bag with raw rice, and place your phone inside. Let it sit for 2 days. The raw rice will act to draw the moisture out of the phone naturally — especially in the impossible-to-reach places where water damage wreaks the most havoc.
4. See if it Works Again: Return the SIM card to its slot after 2 days have passed, and see if your phone turns on. If you’ve followed this process, chances are good your phone will be working normally again!

If your phone isn’t working after following this process, check to see if water damage is covered by any warranty you have on the phone. If not, it’s time to get a new phone.

But, if you need a new phone, don’t just throw away your damaged one. At Swift Tech Buy, we purchase old phones — even if they have experienced water damage. Sell your phone at Swift Tech Buy, and get some cash to put toward your new purchase.

Take a look at how to sell your phone through Swift Tech Buy.