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Unplug your phone, wipe its exterior, and let it dry in a well-ventilated place. Do not charge it through a wet port, use heat or compressed air, or assume a water-resistance rating makes charging safe. The right waiting time depends on your phone maker and model.

What to do right away

  1. Disconnect power and accessories. Unplug any connected cable, and do not reconnect a wet cable or charge through a wet port. Apple warns that charging with a wet Lightning or USB-C connector can corrode the pins and cause permanent damage. Samsung says its moisture detection disables charging to protect the phone; alerts and behavior vary by model. See Apple’s liquid-detection alert guidance and Samsung’s moisture-detection guidance.
  2. Wipe the outside gently. Use a clean, soft, lint-free cloth to remove water from the phone’s exterior. For an iPhone with liquid in its connector, Apple says to tap the phone gently against your hand with the connector facing down. Samsung also recommends gentle handling with the USB port facing down. Do not shake the phone forcefully.
  3. Let it dry with airflow. Leave the phone disconnected in a dry, well-ventilated area. Samsung says a fan can help dry a wet USB port; Apple recommends a dry area with some airflow. An optional fan provides airflow, while a soft cloth removes water from the exterior. Neither replaces allowing the phone and port to dry fully.

How long should you wait before charging?

Do not connect a cable until the phone and charging port are dry. Apple gives different guidance in different contexts: its liquid-alert instructions say to wait at least 30 minutes before trying a cable, and to continue drying with airflow if the alert returns; drying can take up to 24 hours. Apple’s separate water-exposure guidance says to allow at least five hours before charging by cable or connecting an accessory. These are Apple-specific recommendations, not a universal drying interval. Follow the instructions for your exact phone model.

If your phone supports wireless charging, Apple says to wipe the back of a dry iPhone with a soft, lint-free cloth before placing it on a wireless charging mat. Do not use wireless charging as a reason to ignore water elsewhere on the phone or an alert from the device.

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What not to do

  • Do not apply external heat or compressed air. Apple warns against both. Avoid hair dryers and radiators as well; the Associated Press also cautions against heat and compressed air in its consumer guidance on wet phones.
  • Do not put objects into an iPhone connector. Apple says not to insert foreign objects such as a cotton swab or paper towel. Port-cleaning directions can differ by maker, so do not apply another brand’s instructions to your phone.
  • Do not put an iPhone in rice. Apple Support says, “Don’t put your iPhone in a bag of rice. Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.” That warning is specifically about iPhones; follow your own device maker’s guidance.
  • Do not rely on water resistance as permission to charge. Water resistance and supported exposure vary by exact model. Apple lists model-specific limits, but still says to unplug cables and wait for the phone to dry completely after liquid exposure. Check your model’s documentation rather than assuming a rating covers every situation.

If the liquid was not rain

Rain is fresh water, but seawater, pool water, and spills may require different handling. Samsung’s US support guidance says that if liquid other than fresh water gets into the charging port of a Samsung phone, rinse the port with fresh water and dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth. This instruction is for Samsung devices; do not apply it to another phone without checking that maker’s guidance for your exact model. See Samsung’s liquid and moisture guidance.

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When to contact support or arrange service

Contact the manufacturer or an authorized service provider if a liquid alert keeps returning, the phone will not charge after it has dried fully, or it develops other faults. Apple says a recurring liquid alert may require service; Samsung advises contacting support or visiting a service centre if its steps do not resolve the issue.

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