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If you've dropped your phone in liquid and need to dry it out, you've likely heard about submerging it in uncooked instant rice. But what if you don't have instant rice on hand? This wikiHow teaches you how to effectively dry out your wet phone when instant rice is not an option. Before using a drying agent like crystal cat litter, desiccant packets, instant oatmeal, or instant couscous, you'll need to power down your phone, remove any removable components, and remove as much liquid as you can with a clean cloth.

Best Way to Get Water Out of a Phone without Rice

Power off your phone immediately after it gets wet. Place the phone in a large container and pour crystal-based cat litter, instant oatmeal, silica gel beads inside synthetic desiccant packets, or instant couscous pearls over it. Check to see if the phone is dry after 48 hours. If it's still wet, wait another day.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Before Using a Drying Agent

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  1. [1] Whether you’ve dropped your phone in the toilet, bathtub, or a lake, the first step is to get it out of the water ASAP. The longer you leave your phone in the water, the more water it will absorb, and the more potential for damage.[2]
    • If the phone was plugged in to a charger when it got wet, unplug the charger from both the phone and the wall. Be extremely careful not to get any water near the wall socket or any other electrical devices.
    • Many modern smartphones, including all iPhones beginning with iPhone 7, are actually water-resistant.[3] However, some models can handle more water exposure than others. Even if your phone is water-resistant, you can still use these methods to dry your phone without harm. Each water-resistant phone has a special rating that describes how much water it can handle:
      • Phones with the IP68 rating can be submerged more deeply for a longer time.[4] iPhone XS, XS Max, all iPhone 11 models, all iPhone 12 models, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE are rated IP68, and can be submerged for up to 30 minutes at various depths.
        • iPhone XS/Max and iPhone 11 can be submerged in up to 2 meters of water.
        • iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max can handle being submerged in up to 4 meters of water.
        • All iPhone 12 models can be submerged up to 6 meters.
        • Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy S20 FE can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water.[5]
      • Phones rated IP67 (iPhone SE 2nd Generation, iPhone SE 3rd Generation, and all models of iPhone 7, 8, X, and XR) can be submerged in up to one meter of water.
  2. [6] Don't try to open apps to see if it's working—just turn it off as quickly as possible.
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  3. If there's a case on your phone, take it off right away. Then, if you have a removable battery (some phones still do), remove the battery cover and take the battery out.[7] Remove your SIM card(s), as well as any SD cards.[8] Anything that remains connected to your phone can become damaged by water, as well as trap water inside.[9]
  4. Wipe every part of the phone with a clean, dry, lint-free towel until you've removed all of the moisture that you can. If water is still dripping off, you could blow it away from the phone with your mouth or shake it back and forth. You should only rely on drying agents to remove residual moisture that’s worked its way into the components of your phone. Take your time—the more water you can remove with a cloth, the better off you'll be.
    • If you don't have a lint-free towel (such as a microfiber rag or eyeglass cleaning cloth), you could use standard paper towels or washcloths.
    • You could also shake the phone rapidly back and forth through the air.
  5. If you have access to a wet/dry vacuum like a Shop Vac, you can use it to suck additional water out of the phone. Other vacuums may work—just makes sure the vacuum you use won't short out if it gets wet.
    • An air compressor set to a low psi could also be helpful in the absence of a vacuum.[11] Just don't set the psi too high, as it could damage your phone.
    • If you have a can of compressed air, you can use it to blow water out of cracks and seams in the phone's exterior.
    • Do not use a blow dryer or place the phone in an oven. Excessive heat can damage your phone beyond repair.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Select a Drying Agent

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  1. Crystal cat litter is made of silica gel—the same stuff that comes in those packets labeled "Do Not Eat" (more on those soon). Silica gel is extremely absorptive and will do an excellent job of pulling residual moisture out of a water-damaged phone.[12] You can purchase crystal cat litter at nearly any grocery store or pet-supply shop.[13] Make sure to get a container that's at least 4 cups, or 1 to 2 quarts.
    • Do not use any other type of cat litter. Clay-based or powdery litters will stick to your phone and turn it into a wet, clay-covered mess.
  2. Instant oatmeal is more absorptive than regular rolled oats and more much absorptive than steel-cut oats.[14] If you already have instant oatmeal in your home cabinet, it may be the most effective substance you can use to dry your phone. Just be aware that if you use oatmeal to dry your phone components, you may end up with a phone covered in small, gooey bits of oatmeal dust. Purchase a container of unflavored instant oatmeal at your local grocery store.
    • If you don't have instant oatmeal, regular rolled oats could be a decent (yet less effective) substitution. You may need to leave the phone in rolled oats for a day longer than instant oatmeal. Just don't try steel cut, as they take forever to absorb liquid.
  3. Synthetic desiccant packets are those 34 in (1.9 cm) packets that come in various commercial items including shoe boxes, dried foods (like beef jerky or spices), pill bottles, and electronics. Yes, the ones that say "Do not eat!" The packets are filled with highly absorptive silica beads (just like crystal cat litter), which will pull moisture out of your phone. You do not need to tear open the packets. Simply pile them up on top of your phone and let them pull the moisture out.[15]
    • This option will only work if you’ve been saving up silica gel packets in advance for several months, or have purchased bulk packets. One or two packets won't cut it—you'll need enough to cover your phone completely.
  4. It's important that if you try using couscous, you're using the instant variety—instant couscous (like instant rice) is pre-steamed, which makes it more porous and able to absorb moisture.[16] The small, dry grains will work similarly to instant rice, silica beads, and instant oatmeal to pull residual moisture out of your phone. You can buy instant couscous at any grocery store or supermarket.
    • The larger sized couscous pearls (often called "Israeli couscous") won't get dust on your phone's components, and are large enough to not get stuck in any ports or openings. If you use standard couscous (the extremely small grains), you risk getting couscous stuck inside of your phone.
    • Be sure to purchase an unflavored and unseasoned variety of couscous.
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Part 3
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Using Your Drying Agent

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  1. If you’re going to cover your phone with a drying agent, you’ll need quite a bit of the substance you chose. So, look in your cabinets and pull out a large empty pitcher, a big mixing bowl, or a large saucepan. A clean, dry bucket will also work. Set all of the disassembled components of your phone into the bottom.
    • You can leave out the phone's plastic back cover, as it will air dry easily.
  2. Don’t be stingy with whatever drying agent you choose. You’ll need a substantial amount of it to pull the last remnants of water out of your phone’s electrical components.
    • Put a lid over the container if you’re using an inedible drying agent like silica gel.
  3. It takes time for your phone to dry out to the point that it’s usable again. Let it sit in the drying agent for at least 48 hours.[17] If you pull the phone out prematurely, you’ll end up reassembling it with water still lodged inside.
    • If you need to use your phone during this time, you could ask a friend if you can briefly borrow their phone—it's really important to wait this process out.
  4. Depending on the drying agent you chose, your phone may be dusty or dirty now. Clean it off with a dry, lint-free cloth, and make sure there's no remaining moisture.
    • If the phone is not dry, wait another 24 hours. Do not continue if the phone is still wet!
  5. Once the phone is dry, reconnect the battery (if removable), and turn your phone back on. Try it first without the SIM and/or SD cards inserted. If it starts up okay, you can reinsert the SIM and/or SD cards.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Does putting a wet phone in rice work?
    Linh Le
    Linh Le
    Certified Mobile Repair Specialist
    Linh Le is a Certified Mobile Repair Specialist and the Owner of SC Mobile Repairs in San Clemente, California. With more than 12 years of experience, he specializes in smartphone, tablet, and smartwatch hardware repair. Linh has an iTech Mobile Device Repair Certification and an iOS Certification. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from The Franciscan University of Steubenville.
    Linh Le
    Certified Mobile Repair Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Not especially! Rice only absorbs moisture it comes in direct contact with, and the moisture you want to absorb is inside of your phone.
  • Question
    What do I do if my phone doesnt power on after drying it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You'll have to take it to a phone shop for diagnosis and repair.
  • Question
    What does it mean if, after being in water, I turned my phone on and the screen displayed rainbow colors?
    Nickiroo Edits
    Nickiroo Edits
    Community Answer
    Water has damaged the display, and unfortunately this means you will have to replace the entire screen.
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  • If you're using an Android, you may be able to open up the phone to expose its insides. In some cases, all you'll need to use is a fingernail—other models may require a small Phillips screwdriver, like you’d use for a pair of eyeglasses.
  • If you do not have a drying agent, leave your phone in a cool room with a fan blowing on it.
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References

  1. Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  2. https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-rescue-a-wet-phone
  3. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207043
  4. https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/01/05/how-to-know-if-your-iphone-is-waterproof-and-what-that-actually-means
  5. https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-waterproof-and-water-resistant-phones
  6. Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  7. James Bell. Phone Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 25 May 2022.
  8. https://toomanyadapters.com/dry-smartphone-right-way/
  9. Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  1. Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  2. https://www.techjunkie.com/best-way-dry-wet-phone/
  3. Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  4. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/687656/Rice-Cat-Litter-Life-Hack-Save-Phone-Water-Wet
  5. https://www.techjunkie.com/best-way-dry-wet-phone/
  6. Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.
  7. https://smartphones.gadgethacks.com/how-to/myth-debunked-uncooked-rice-isnt-best-way-save-your-water-damaged-phone-0154799/
  8. https://www.simplemost.com/trick-fix-wet-phone-thats-better-rice/
  9. James Bell. Phone Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 25 May 2022.
  10. Linh Le. Certified Mobile Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 February 2022.

About This Article

James Bell
Co-authored by:
Phone Repair Specialist
This article was co-authored by James Bell and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. James Bell is a Phone Repair Specialist at Phone Techs in Winchester, California. With over seven years of experience, he specializes in cell phone, tablet, game console, and PC repairs. Phone Techs is an Akko Partner. This article has been viewed 417,604 times.
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Co-authors: 14
Updated: June 30, 2024
Views: 417,604
Article SummaryX

1. Remove from water as soon as possible.
2. Power down your phone and remove all removable components.
3. Dry the phone with a lint-free cloth and vacuum (if available).
4. Purchase crystal (silica) cat litter or desiccant packets (also silica).
5. If unavailable, try instant oatmeal or instant couscous.
6. Place the phone in a large bowl or bucket.
7. Cover completely with your drying agent.
8. Let dry for 2 to 3 days.

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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 417,604 times.

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