Splash! The wet phone rescue quiz

The questions

1. Question 1 of 6Your phone falls in the sea. Before drying it, Apple and Samsung say to…

   

   • Leave the salt to dry on
   • Rinse it with fresh tap water, then wipe it
   • Put it in the freezer
   • Shake it hard

   Show answer

   Answer: Rinse it with fresh tap water, then wipe it

   After salt water, a drink or soap, Apple and Samsung both say to rinse the affected area with fresh tap water, then wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth. After plain water, just wipe it.

   Source: Apple: About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone

   Wet phone? What to do

2. Question 2 of 6Fact or fiction: a bowl of rice is the best way to dry a wet phone.

   • Fact
   • Fiction: Apple says not to use rice

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   Answer: Fiction: Apple says not to use rice

   Apple says so on its liquid-detection page: don't put the iPhone in a bag of rice. No hair dryer, no heat and no compressed air either.

   Source: Apple: If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone

   Wet phone? What to do

3. Question 3 of 6How do you get water out of the charging port?

   

   • Blow into it with a hair dryer
   • Tap the phone gently against your palm, port facing down
   • Push a cotton bud in
   • Charge it to heat it up

   Show answer

   Answer: Tap the phone gently against your palm, port facing down

   Hold the phone with the port facing down and tap it gently against your palm (Apple). Samsung says to shake it gently with the port down. Never push anything into the port.

   Source: Apple: If you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone; Samsung UK: What to do if there is moisture in your water-resistant phone or tablet

   Wet phone? What to do

4. Question 4 of 6According to Apple's water-resistance page, how long should you wait before charging a wet iPhone with a cable?

   

   • 1 minute
   • At least 5 hours
   • A week
   • No need to wait

   Show answer

   Answer: At least 5 hours

   Apple says at least 5 hours before charging with a cable. On a Galaxy, Samsung says moisture usually evaporates in 1 to 2 hours; on a Pixel, wait for "OK to use USB port".

   Source: Apple: About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone; Samsung UK: What to do if there is moisture in your water-resistant phone or tablet; Google Pixel Help: Fix "Unplug charger" or "Liquid or debris in USB port"

   Wet phone? What to do

5. Question 5 of 6Your Pixel says "Liquid or debris in USB port" for more than 2 hours. What does Google say?

   • Use rice
   • Contact support
   • Ignore it and charge
   • Factory reset

   Show answer

   Answer: Contact support

   Unplug, power off and let it dry at room temperature. If the message lasts 2 hours or more, Google says to contact support.

   Source: Google Pixel Help: Fix "Unplug charger" or "Liquid or debris in USB port"

   Wet phone? What to do

6. Question 6 of 6IP68 on the box: does it mean the maker covers water damage?

   • Yes, always
   • No: resistance wears down and liquid damage isn't covered under warranty

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   Answer: No: resistance wears down and liquid damage isn't covered under warranty

   A rating is not a promise. Every maker says resistance wears down over time, and none of them covers liquid damage under warranty. Salt water, pool water and drinks are not part of the test.

   Source: Apple: About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone

   Wet phone? What to do