Drying out a mobile phone

[Mad Doug Biker]

I wouldn't want it if a robot's used it before me.

You might get a Computer Virus!!

 

[nickyboy]

Having lost a phone out of my trouser pocket down the "hole" in a Chinese crouch toilet, the last thing I would want to do is try to get it back and working again

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Having lost a phone out of my trouser pocket down the "hole" in a Chinese crouch toilet, the last thing I would want to do is try to get it back and working again

But could you log onto the internet with it??

Sorry.

 

[Globalti]

Not a phone but I once wore my Seiko watch in a swimming pool (have changed the battery a few times so the seal is knackered) and saw that it had filled up with water under the cooling effect. Took it up to my hotel room, opened the back, took out the movement and dried everything with tissues and the hairdryer and it's worked fine ever since.

 

[Mile195]

This was on Dragons Den tonight.

http://www.reviveaphone.com

Although since the guy makes them in his mum's utility room, I can't help thinking it may arrive a little late for the OP...

 

[Melonfish]

if i know i'm cycling or hiking in incliment weather my phone goes in a ziploc. even if i fall in a stream it should be ok.
hindsight however doesn't help your current predicament. many have mentioned rice, this is pretty correct.
remove the battery and any other covers you may have along with the sim card and memory card and submerge in a bag or jar of rice. give it about 3 days, if after that it doesn't boot then sadly i doubt you'll get it back.

 

[ASC1951]

... many have mentioned rice, this is pretty correct.
remove the battery and any other covers you may have along with the sim card and memory card and submerge in a bag or jar of rice. give it about 3 days, if after that it doesn't boot then sadly i doubt you'll get it back.

This isn't what the Revivaphone product showed. Soaked phones and tablets often don't work even after they have been dried out, because impurities in the water are deposited on the circuit boards. They stay there no matter how long you store it in rice. Even completely dry, it won't work again.
With the Revivaphone system you soak it in chemically pure water, which removes all these deposited impurities, then dry it out again with all the components completely clean of short circuits. Then it works again.

 

[fossyant]

It depends if any components have been shorted out when wet. My wife wrecked a phone when it dropped in the sea. Dried it off, but wouldn't work.

Sandwich bags are a great way of keeping your phone dry.

 

[Melonfish]

This isn't what the Revivaphone product showed. Soaked phones and tablets often don't work even after they have been dried out, because impurities in the water are deposited on the circuit boards. They stay there no matter how long you store it in rice. Even completely dry, it won't work again.
With the Revivaphone system you soak it in chemically pure water, which removes all these deposited impurities, then dry it out again with all the components completely clean of short circuits. Then it works again.

Are you selling it perchance?

 

[CopperBrompton]

As lots of people have said, rice + airing cupboard. However, for future reference, don't ever try powering it up while still wet - you may well have killed it by doing that.

 

[MarkF]

This isn't what the Revivaphone product showed. Soaked phones and tablets often don't work even after they have been dried out, because impurities in the water are deposited on the circuit boards. They stay there no matter how long you store it in rice. Even completely dry, it won't work again.
With the Revivaphone system you soak it in chemically pure water, which removes all these deposited impurities, then dry it out again with all the components completely clean of short circuits. Then it works again.

What is the difference between this magical "Chemically pure water" and cheap regular "dionised" water? This is a fantastic idea, a guaranteed money spinner, especially with it's disclaimer..........

 

[Cyclopathic]

Put it in the microwave on high for 9 minutes. (This may cause the phone and microwave to explode)

 

[Cyclopathic]

On the face of it good advice but, if the phone is not working, how will he film it and upload to you tube?

Er, with a borrowed phone and from a distance.

 

[ASC1951]

What is the difference between this magical "Chemically pure water" and cheap regular "dionised" water? This is a fantastic idea, a guaranteed money spinner, especially with it's disclaimer..........

I was just using the phrase to mean water without impurities; and no, Melonfish, I'm not selling the product. My point (or rather, Revivaphone's point) was that just drying your phone out may not be enough if you have dropped it in water with dissolved minerals in it. That makes sense to me, but I've never tried it because I have never dropped my phone anywhere wet.

 

[Twelve Spokes]

I'm late but I noticed this.What I generally do is take the battery out,wrap it in a tea towel and leave it on the radiator although this is a bit rough in the summer or if your boiler has broken down.