Table of contents:
- Don't even think about using a hair dryer to repair your wet mobile
- The rice method works (but not always)
- The best method to save our cell phone is ... Alcohol!
- There is a product sold on the Internet that promises to revive my mobile, does it work?
- Conclusion: turn off the mobile as soon as possible and do not apply heat
Despite the fact that IP67 and IP68 protection is being established little by little in mobile phones, the truth is that most mid-range and low-end phones lack this type of certification. To this we must add that the models that make up this certification are not exempt from damage by liquids. In fact, the manufacturers themselves recommend not immersing your devices in water. If you have come this far, your mobile has come into contact with water. Dipping the mobile in rice or applying hot air to it are some of the most popular solutions that we can find on the Internet. But which of these tricks work and which are myths? We see it.
Don't even think about using a hair dryer to repair your wet mobile
It may sound illogical, but the truth is that applying heat to the phone can be counterproductive. First, because it won't do us any good. And second, because it can damage the motherboard of the phone. The reasons are simple: blowing air through the ports of the phone will not remove the liquids immersed in the motherboard. In fact, it is probable that the water vapor itself generated ends up oxidizing the components, which will degenerate into irreparable damage to certain electronic elements.
To this must be added that the application of heat on certain components can damage some plastic or metal parts. The battery is one of the most heat sensitive items. Also the coaxial cables that carry the connection from the network antenna to the motherboard. And so on with dozens of components.
The rice method works (but not always)
Another trick that is sold as a solution to repair a wet mobile is to immerse the device in rice. In theory, this cereal absorbs moisture from the environment to fatten its own fiber. And in fact it is so, but this means that it serves as a final solution to save a mobile that has been submerged in water.
The first thing we must take into account is the type of water: it is not the same to submerge the phone in fresh water than in salt water. If it is the latter, it is most likely that the device will not survive. The salt and the different sediments cause corrosion in the components that rarely has a solution. In the first case, there is a high probability of saving the phone if there is still no corrosion.
The ideal way to repair a wet mobile with this method would be to disassemble the chassis of the phone. For example, the back cover, the charging connector and even the battery. If this is not possible, the only viable solution is to turn off the mobile immediately, immerse it in rice and pray a lot and well. It is advisable to leave the phone resting for a minimum of 24 hours, although it is best to leave it at least 48 or even 72 hours in a lot of rice.
The best method to save our cell phone is… Alcohol!
But not drinking alcohol or medicine cabinet alcohol, no. Isopropyl alcohol, although to bad ones we can also resort to medicine cabinet alcohol as long as its minimum concentration is 97%.
Unlike water, alcohol evaporates almost instantly. The key to using an alcohol with a high concentration is that it is able to carry the water with it. In short: to repair a mobile wet in water we will have to immerse the device in alcohol. Yes, you read it right. In alcohol.
Ideally, this should be done by removing the battery and certain corrosion-sensitive components. As this is not possible in the majority of models that currently exist on the market, we will have to limit ourselves to turning off the phone and letting it rest in alcohol for several minutes. 2, 3, 4 or even 10 minutes. Enough to penetrate all places.
Finally we will dry the phone with absorbent paper to remove all the liquid from the chassis. We can combine this method with the rice trick to maximize the effectiveness of the two methods. Of course, first in alcohol and then in rice, precisely to avoid corrosion of the components.
There is a product sold on the Internet that promises to revive my mobile, does it work?
In recent years, dozens of products have reached the Internet with the promise of reviving any wet mobile. One of these products is Waterrevive Blue, a liquid that offers an effectiveness of 98% in the words of the company itself. But does it really work?
The truth is that it does, or at least in most cases. Nor is it a panacea. These types of products are generally based on a type of isopropyl alcohol intended to clean electronic components. In fact, the indications for these products are usually similar to those mentioned in previous paragraphs: immerse the phone for several minutes in the liquid, let it rest on a surface and turn it on after the first 24 hours.
If no short circuit has occurred, it is very likely that the phone will revive. It may also be the case that the device turns on but does not respond to touches on the screen or is not able to emit sounds from the speaker. This is because some components have shorted out. The solution is to replace the component in question.
Conclusion: turn off the mobile as soon as possible and do not apply heat
So is. The first cause of liquid damage is not the liquid itself, but corrosion and short circuiting. By turning off the mobile immediately we will be able to avoid the second. If we follow the correct method, we will be able to avoid the former. Of course, we must be clear that under no circumstances can we apply heat to the device, as illogical as it may seem. Besides the probable corrosion to certain components, it is highly probable that some elements are damaged by the cumin. So, out of dryers or heat guns.
