Smartphone owners who accidentally washed their iPhone in a washing machine or drowned it in a puddle, toilet or bathtub often contact service centers. In many such cases, the device cannot be repaired, but if you know what to do in the first minutes after the incident, you can increase the chances of a successful iPhone recovery.
Why is a washing machine dangerous for an iPhone?
Whether a recessed phone will work or not largely depends on the liquid that got into it.
Water is dangerous for electronics on its own, but the risk increases if the liquid has been dissolved aggressive chemicals. Washing powder contains surfactants and salts that destroy microcircuits. In addition, the water in the washing machine is hot, which makes the situation even worse.
First aid
Pulling the phone out washing machine, you need to turn it off immediately. Even if the iPhone is still working and appears to be working properly, water has already entered it, which can cause a short circuit if you do not turn off the phone.
If the smartphone turns off on its own, you should not try to charge it. This will cause the motherboard and processor to burn out, making repairs more difficult.
The next thing to do if you accidentally washed your iPhone in the washing machine is to take it apart.In this regard, Apple phones are less practical than Samsung, Sony, Honor and other Android smartphones: only a service center specialist can open the iPhone case and remove the battery without damage. However, at home, you can remove the SIM card and headphones (if they were connected).
The third step is to try to shake out some of the water from the iPhone without putting much effort, otherwise the liquid inside will spread throughout the smartphone. After this, you should wrap the phone in a towel and take the device to a service center as soon as possible.
Is it possible to put a smartphone in rice?
A popular myth is that a phone that has fallen into water must be placed in a jar of rice, as this grain absorbs moisture.
However, in reality you shouldn't do this. Rice will not only not dry out the smartphone, but will also reduce the chances of successful recovery.
The fact is that in such a situation, long-term drying will not help. On the contrary, the longer the iPhone sits with water inside, the more the liquid irreversibly destroys chips, connectors and sensors. That is why you need to quickly take the phone to a service center, where it will be opened and cleaned.
Important!
Contrary to another common misconception, you should not dry your smartphone with a hairdryer, even in the “cold” mode. A powerful air flow will only cause water to spread throughout the entire device and get into every part.
Also, do not place the iPhone on a battery or heater - high temperatures will damage the microcircuits.
Repair at the service center
A specialist disassembles the iPhone using a special screwdriver, unscrewing the screws at the bottom of the case. Next, the screen is disconnected and the battery and other parts are pulled out.
The phone that washed in the washing machine or dropped into water, it is usually cleaned immediately.The oxidized board is treated with a special solution and cleaned with brushes.
If the device was delivered to the service center quickly, there is a chance that water and chemicals dissolved in it have not yet destroyed the connectors, sensors and contacts. In this case, after cleaning, the smartphone is reassembled, and it functions properly.
But most often, some details can no longer be restored - the sound or camera does not work, the phone does not charge. The wizard replaces damaged components with new ones.
Depending on the complexity of the repair, restoring a smartphone after washing it in a washing machine will cost 5-10 thousand rubles.
Damaged accessories
A similar problem - there were iPhone accessories in the washing machine: headphones, Lightning cable or charger.
Headphones
iPhone headphones that washed in the washing machine, usually work properly and do not need repairs. If you have problems with the microphone, you can blow forcefully into it for 10-15 seconds.
This applies not only to wired headphones, but also to EarPods. You shouldn't intentionally test them in water, but after a short wash in the washing machine they won't be damaged.
Cable
For Lightning, water is dangerous because it causes corrosion of the contacts. Even if the cable works, you should not charge your phone with it - using a faulty cable can damage the battery.
Charger
A charger that has been in a washing machine must be replaced. If you plug it into an outlet, a short circuit may occur.
Results
- A phone that has gotten into water must be turned off, shake the liquid out of it a little, and take it to a service center.
- You should not try to disassemble the iPhone yourself, but you need to remove the SIM card;
- Claims that a recessed device can be placed in rice and dried with a hairdryer are false.
- The faster the phone gets to the technician, the greater the chance that the device can be restored.
- In some cases, repairs are not required; cleaning is sufficient.
- A cable and charger that are accidentally exposed to water are no longer suitable for further use, even if they are working.
If the iPhone was forgotten in the pocket of a jacket or jeans and ended up in washing machine – don’t panic. The phone will work properly if you act quickly and competently.
