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Help! My Phone is in the Water

Water damage is a race against time. What to actually do when your phone gets wet (hint: not rice).

Published 23 March 2026 · Tech Talk · Virtue IT

Whether it’s a mishap at the Beachmere boat ramp or a phone dropped in a puddle during a Ningi downpour, water damage is a race against time.

Forget the Rice!

The old myth of putting a wet phone in a bowl of rice is actually quite ineffective—it can even make things worse by getting “rice dust” into the ports. The real enemy isn’t just the water; it’s the corrosion that starts the moment the battery makes contact with the liquid.

The Correct “First Aid”

  1. Turn it off immediately. Do not try to see if it still works.
  2. Remove the case and any SIM or SD cards.
  3. Pat it dry with a lint-free cloth.
  4. DO NOT plug it in. Charging a wet phone is the fastest way to “fry” the internal chips permanently.

The best thing you can do is get it to a professional as quickly as possible so it can be opened and cleaned with specialized chemicals before the rust sets in.

Need a hand?

Dropped your phone or tablet in the drink? Every hour counts when it comes to water damage. For a professional assessment and emergency cleaning, contact Virtue IT on 0468 926 452 — local, fast-acting tech support right here in Ningi.

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