What Water Damage Actually Does to Your Phone (and Why Rice Doesn’t Help)
Water damage is one of the most misleading phone problems.
Sometimes the phone dies instantly. Sometimes it works perfectly for a week and then suddenly decides life is too hard on a Thursday afternoon.
Here’s what really happens when water gets inside a phone — and why burying it in rice is about as effective as wishing it good luck.
Water Reaches Places You Can’t See
Even a tiny splash can get past speaker mesh, charge ports, microphone holes, side buttons, or a cracked screen.
Once inside, water travels across circuits like it owns the place.
Moisture doesn’t stay put — it spreads.
Short Circuits Happen Instantly
When water touches components carrying power, it can short them out immediately.
That’s why the first rule is always: turn the phone off.
Keeping it on is the fastest way to turn a small problem into a dead logic board.
Corrosion Starts the Moment Water Arrives
This is the big one.
Corrosion begins almost immediately, slowly eating away at metal pads and connectors.
It might look fine today… and wake up absolutely traumatised next week.
This is why some “seemingly fine” phones later stop charging, lose speaker audio, or develop ghost touch.
Water Damages Screens From Behind
The backlight and touch layers are extremely sensitive.
Even a small droplet behind the display can cause:
dim patches
flickering
green lines
touch failures
full blackouts
It doesn’t need to be soaked — one drop is enough.
Charge Ports Take the Biggest Hit
Charging a wet phone is the quickest way to blow:
the charge port
the Tristar/Tigris (iPhone charge controller chip)
the battery
Once those chips fail, repairs become much more expensive.
Batteries and Water Don’t Mix
Batteries hate moisture.
Even a small amount can cause swelling or unpredictable shutdowns.
If your phone gets wet and then starts feeling warm or bulging even slightly — stop using it.
Why Rice Doesn’t Work (And Actually Makes Things Worse)
Ah yes, the classic internet advice:
“Put it in rice.”
Rice does not remove water from inside a phone.
It does, however:
leave dust and starch particles inside the device
slow down proper drying
give you false confidence while corrosion continues
make your job more expensive when you bring it in later
Better solutions include air circulation, gentle warmth, and — most importantly — a professional opening and internal dry-out.
What Actually Helps
Turn the phone off
Remove the case
Dry the outside gently
Leave it in a warm, dry place with airflow
Don’t shake it
Don’t press buttons
Don’t charge it
Bring it in for an internal clean and inspection
We open the device, dry it properly, clean corrosion, and test everything before it becomes permanent dama