What to Do If Your Phone Gets Wet
These expert tips can help save a just-dunked device
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A decade ago, your chances of saving a cell phone dropped in a pool—or a toilet—were slim. But today, most smartphones can withstand a splash, a spilled drink, or even a dunk in a pool if you follow the right steps to dry them out. Here’s what to do.
1. Turn off and/or unplug a wet phone immediately to reduce the risk of it short-circuiting.
2. If your phone came into contact with chlorinated pool water, salty ocean water, or soapy water, lightly rinse it with tap water. “Corrosive liquids like saltwater can react badly with the metals in the phone,” says Rich Fisco, CR’s head of electronics testing.
These Phones Survived CR's Dunk Tank
CR conducts water resistance testing on dozens of phones each year. We drizzle water on a device for 5 minutes, mimicking rain. We also submerge the device, then check whether it works when removed, and again after 24, 48, and 72 hours of air-drying. CR members can see how two popular models fared below, as well as browse ratings for dozens of other smartphones.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, IP68-rated, $1,300
Survived a dip in 1.5 meters of water (nearly 5 feet) for 30 minutes.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, IP68-rated, $1,200
Survived a dip in 6 meters of water (nearly 20 feet) for 30 minutes.
Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the July 2024 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
