How to Tell If Your Phone Has Water Damage

Water damage doesn't always show up right away

A phone can take a splash, keep working, and then start acting strangely days or weeks later. That's because the real enemy isn't the water itself but the minerals and corrosion it leaves behind on the tiny connectors inside. Knowing the signs helps you act before a small problem spreads to the screen, battery or charging circuit.

If your phone got wet in the last few hours, skip ahead to the "What to do right now" section first. Then come back to the signs.

Check the liquid contact indicator

Many phones have a small sticker inside called a liquid contact indicator. On iPhones with a SIM tray, it sits inside the SIM tray slot. Many other phones have one too, though on some it's only visible once the phone is opened.

1. Power the phone off.
2. Remove the SIM tray with the tool made for it.
3. Shine a flashlight into the slot without poking anything inside.
4. A white or silver indicator generally hasn't been triggered. Red or pink usually means it has touched liquid.

Treat the result as a clue, not a verdict. A triggered indicator doesn't tell you how much liquid got in or whether anything is actually damaged. An untriggered one doesn't prove the phone is dry inside either, because liquid can reach the speaker, port or camera without ever touching the indicator.

Moisture warnings on screen

Modern phones watch their own charging ports for liquid:

• iPhone: a "Liquid Detected" alert when you plug in a cable. The phone may refuse to charge through the cable until the port is dry.
• Samsung Galaxy: a water-drop icon with a "Moisture has been detected" message, and wired charging pauses.
• Other Android phones, including Pixel models, can show a similar notice about liquid or debris in the USB port.

Don't override these warnings with an emergency option unless it's a true emergency. Charging a wet port can corrode the contacts. Let the phone dry with the port facing down, and if the warning keeps coming back long after it should be dry, that points to moisture or corrosion inside.

Signs to watch for in everyday use

Look closely at the charging port with a light, too. A green, white or crusty build-up on the metal contacts is a clear sign of corrosion.

Water-resistant doesn't mean waterproof

Most recent phones carry a water-resistance rating, but it's tested in fresh water under lab conditions. Seals weaken with age, drops and earlier repairs, and ratings don't cover salt water, pool water, soapy water or hot steam. A phone that "should" be fine can still let water in.

What to do right now

• Turn the phone off and leave it off.
• Don't charge it, and don't plug in headphones or accessories.
• Take off the case and remove the SIM tray.
• Pat the outside dry and stand it with the ports facing down.
• Don't use heat, a hair dryer or the oven, and don't bury it in rice. See why rice doesn't help a wet phone.
• If it still works, back up your photos and data as soon as you can.

For the full step-by-step process, read our water damage guide.

When to call a technician

If you've spotted any of these signs, the sooner the phone is opened and cleaned, the better its chances, because corrosion keeps working while the phone sits. Woman Wireless On The Go sends a certified woman technician to your home, workplace or parked car anywhere in our service area. Tell us what happened by call or WhatsApp at (365) 351-4247 for a free quote before any work starts, or learn more about our water damage repair.

Frequently asked questions

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