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

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

If the phone is connected to wall power or the water may be electrically energized, do not reach into the water; cut the power from a dry, safe place or call 911 if there is immediate danger. Otherwise, remove the phone, switch it off using its normal controls, dry the outside, and keep it off and uncharged while it dries.

Do not do these things

  • Do not touch the phone, charger, or water if the phone is connected to wall power or you are standing in water.
  • Do not keep using the phone to check whether it still works.
  • Do not connect a charging cable while the phone, port, cable, or accessory may be wet.
  • Do not bypass a liquid-detection warning merely to test the phone.
  • Do not use a hair dryer, heater, oven, direct sunlight, or compressed air.
  • Do not put the phone in rice.
  • Do not insert cotton swabs, paper towels, pins, or other objects into its ports.
  • Do not shake the phone hard, strike it, or repeatedly press its buttons.
  • Do not dismantle a sealed phone, puncture it, or try to remove a built-in battery.
  • Do not stay close to a phone that is swelling, hissing, smoking, leaking, or becoming rapidly hotter.

What to do now

  1. Check for an electrical hazard first. If the phone is connected to a wall charger or other powered equipment, do not touch the phone, cable, water, or wet equipment. Turn off power at a dry, safely accessible switch or circuit breaker, or call 911 if there is immediate danger.
  2. When there is no electrical hazard, remove the phone from the water and place it on a dry surface.
  3. If the phone is responsive and shows no signs of battery damage, use its normal controls once to switch it off. If it does not respond, stop pressing buttons and leave it alone.
  4. Disconnect headphones and other accessories that are not connected to wall power. Remove the case and any external accessory that comes off without opening the phone.
  5. Gently blot the outside with a clean, soft, dry cloth. Keep the charging port facing downward so surface liquid can drain without forceful shaking.
  6. Leave the phone on a dry, flat surface at room temperature with airflow around it. Keep its ports uncovered.
  7. Keep the phone switched off and do not charge it by cable until the phone, charging port, cable ends, and accessories are completely dry. Check the official drying instructions for your exact model before reconnecting anything.
  8. If a liquid-detection warning appears when you later connect a cable, disconnect it immediately and allow more drying time. Contact the manufacturer or an authorized repair provider if the warning continues after everything appears dry.
  9. If the phone entered salt water, pool water, soda, coffee, or another liquid that can leave residue, keep it off and ask the manufacturer or an authorized repair provider for model-specific instructions.
  10. Use another phone or device for urgent calls, directions, account access, or two-factor authentication.
  11. If the phone bulges, hisses, vents gas, leaks, smokes, catches fire, or becomes rapidly hotter, move away and keep other people away. Get outside and call 911 if there is smoke, fire, or immediate danger.

What can wait

Testing the screen, speakers, camera, or charging port can wait. Opening the SIM tray, transferring data, filing an insurance claim, arranging a repair, or deciding whether to replace the phone also does not need to happen now.

Important reassurance

Water exposure does not automatically mean the phone or its data is permanently lost. You do not need to find out immediately, and leaving the phone off avoids unnecessary testing while moisture may still be present.

Scope note

This guide covers the first steps after a switched-on phone enters water. Later decisions about testing, data recovery, repair, insurance, or replacement may require help from the manufacturer, carrier, insurer, or a qualified repair provider.

Important note

This is general device and electrical-safety information, not professional repair advice. Phone construction and water-resistance ratings vary, so follow the official instructions for your exact model and contact emergency services for smoke, fire, or another immediate hazard.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

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.

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