What should I do if my phone just got into the bathtub and now the screen is dead?

If your phone got wet and the screen is dead, here’s what you can try:

1. Immediate Action: First things first, you should turn off the phone immediately if it hasn’t shut off on its own. This will prevent any short circuits from occurring.
2. Dry the Exterior: Gently pat the phone dry with a towel. Make sure you don’t press any buttons while doing this.
3. Remove the Battery and SIM: If your phone has a removable battery, take it out along with the SIM card and any other external components like SD cards.
4. Use a Vacuum Cleaner: You can use a vacuum cleaner to suck out the liquid from the ports and other openings. Avoid using a hairdryer as the heat can damage your phone.
5. Leave it in Rice: Submerge the phone in a bowl of uncooked rice. Leave it there for at least 24-48 hours to absorb the moisture. Silica gel packets work even better if you have any around the house.
6. Check for Functionality: After the waiting period, reassemble the phone and try turning it on. If the screen still doesn’t work, it might mean professional help is necessary.

I’ve used this method before, and it saved my phone. However, there’s no guarantee, so be prepared for possible permanent damage.

Once my phone fell into the bathtub, and I freaked out since the screen went dead. Here’s my story on how I tackled the situation:

First, I made sure to grab it out of the water as quickly as possible. I held down the power button until it turned off. Right after that, I dried the phone with a soft cloth. I knew it was important not to press aggressively to avoid spreading the water inside further.

I remembered reading about silica gel packets being useful, so I searched the house for some. I had to empty out all the new shoes I’d bought recently just to find enough packets, but it was worth it. I put the phone and the packets into a tightly sealed plastic bag.

While waiting, I googled more solutions and found an electronics repair shop nearby. But I also knew that any attempt to turn the phone on before it was completely dry could be disastrous, so I was patient for 72 hours. It was like waiting forever, honestly.

Finally, after three days, I turned it on. To my surprise and relief, the phone worked. But I learned my lesson and began using waterproof pouches for my phone around water.

So, here’s what happened when I dropped my phone in the bathtub. After a few panic-stricken seconds, I grabbed the phone. The screen was unresponsive, and I knew the phone had to come off immediately.

I didn’t have any fancy tools or silica packets available, so I opted for the classic uncooked rice method. I buried my phone in a bag filled with rice and left it for 48 hours. In the meantime, I learned that pressing buttons could force water further inside, so I resisted the urge to check if it worked.

After the wait, the phone did power on. However, the touch screen responsiveness was a bit off, and a visible water mark appeared under the screen. I was just glad the data was accessible, so I backed up everything immediately.

Eventually, the screen issues got worse, and I had to get it replaced. But at least I got my data out, thanks to taking quick action and having patience.

From my experience, you’re likely dealing with some significant water damage. Here’s a checklist I’ve used when this happened to me:

• Power Down: Hold the power button to ensure the phone is off completely.
• External Dry: Wipe off the water gently with an absorbent cloth. Avoid rubbing, as that could push water into the phone.
• Disassemble If Possible: Take out the battery, SIM card, and memory card.
• Air Dry: Place the phone in front of a fan or air conditioning vent to evaporate the water faster. Do not use heat sources like microwaves or ovens.
• Moisture Absorbents: Instead of rice, this time I used small packets you find in the pockets of new product packaging. I believe these silica gel packets absorbed the moisture more effectively.
• Professional Inspection: Don’t hesitate to take the phone to a professional, especially if the phone doesn’t power up after drying. An expert might be able to clean the components.

I found doing these steps improved my chances of saving my phone, but note that water damage can cause long-term issues.