uk Technology & digital loss

What to do if…
your phone is dropped in water while it is still switched on

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: 19 July 2026 Last reviewed: 16 August 2026 Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Retrieve the phone only when it is safe, switch it off, disconnect any cable, and dry the outside with a soft cloth. Leave it switched off on a dry surface at room temperature and check the manufacturer’s instructions before charging or testing it.

Do not do these things

Do not touch the phone, charger, cable, water, or nearby wet switches if the phone is connected to mains electricity.
Do not charge the phone by cable or wirelessly while it may still be wet.
Do not switch it back on repeatedly to test it.
Do not use a hairdryer, radiator, oven, direct heat, or compressed air.
Do not put the phone in rice.
Do not insert cotton buds, paper, tools, or other objects into its ports.
Do not shake the phone or press its controls unnecessarily.
Do not open a sealed phone or attempt to remove a built-in battery.
Do not assume that water resistance means water could not have entered the phone.

What to do now

If the phone is in water while connected to a mains charger, keep away from the water, phone, cable, and charger. Switch off the electricity at the consumer unit only if you can reach it without entering a wet area or touching wet equipment. Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger or there is smoke or fire.
When there is no electrical danger, lift the phone out of the water.
Disconnect any cable and switch the phone off using its normal shutdown method. If it does not respond, stop pressing controls and use another device to check the manufacturer’s instructions for that model.
Remove the case and any detachable accessories. Remove the battery only if the manufacturer designed it to be removed by the user.
Gently blot the outside with a clean, soft cloth. Do not put anything inside the charging port or other openings.
Place the phone on a dry, stable surface at room temperature with some airflow. Keep it away from direct heat.
From another device, check the phone manufacturer’s official instructions, especially if the phone entered seawater, pool water, soapy water, or another liquid.
Do not reconnect a charger or switch the phone on until the manufacturer’s drying guidance says it is appropriate.
If the phone becomes extremely hot, swells, leaks, hisses, cracks, smells unusual, smokes, or shows flames, stop handling it and move people away. For smoke or fire, get out, stay out, and call 999.

What can wait

You do not need to test the screen, check your data, choose a repair service, make an insurance claim, or decide whether to replace the phone now. Those decisions can wait until the phone is safe and you have checked its manufacturer’s guidance.

Important reassurance

A wet phone is not automatically beyond repair, and its stored data is not necessarily lost. Keeping it switched off and avoiding premature charging or testing can prevent further damage while you establish the correct next step.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety and damage-limiting steps only. Later decisions about inspection, repair, data recovery, warranties, insurance, or replacement may require help from the manufacturer, network provider, insurer, or a qualified repair service.

Important note

This is general information, not technical, electrical, or repair advice. Follow the instructions for your exact phone model and prioritise emergency-service advice where mains electricity, smoke, or fire is involved.

Additional Resources

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

Support us