Water-Damaged Phone Won’t Turn On — Can Photos/Data Still Be Saved?

Yeah — sometimes the photos/data can still be saved, even if the phone won’t power on. The biggest factor is whether the phone was powered/charged while moisture was inside (that’s what causes shorts and corrosion).

If the photos matter, don’t gamble.

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What to do immediately (the “don’t make it worse” checklist)

1) Do NOT charge it

If your phone was exposed to liquid, don’t plug it in until it’s completely dry. Charging wet can cause corrosion and permanent damage.

2) Power it off (or keep it off)

If it’s still on, turn it off. If it’s already dead, don’t keep trying to boot it.

3) Strip it down (safe stuff only)

• Take off the case
• Remove SIM tray / SD card (if you have one)
• Wipe the outside dry with a towel

4) Air dry with airflow

Leave it in a dry area with airflow (a fan is fine). Avoid heat. Apple and Samsung both warn against using external heat sources like hair dryers/hot air.

5) Don’t stick anything into the port

No cotton swabs, paper towels, toothpicks, etc. Google also explicitly says don’t put anything into the USB-C port/cable if there’s moisture or debris.

✅ Start a Repair

What NOT to do (common myths that cost people their data)

• Don’t put it in rice. Apple specifically says not to—rice particles can damage the phone.
• Don’t use a hair dryer / oven / heat gun.
• Don’t keep “testing it” by powering on every hour.
• Don’t plug it into a charger “just to see.”

If you did any of the above already, it doesn’t mean it’s hopeless — it just means you should stop now.

✅ Start a Repair

Why a wet phone won’t turn on (in plain English)

Water doesn’t just “dry out and disappear.” If moisture (or salt/sugar/chlorine) gets inside, it can leave residue that causes corrosion and shorts—sometimes immediately, sometimes days later.

That’s why turning it on/charging it while wet is the real enemy.

“But my phone is water-resistant…”

Water-resistant is not waterproof, and resistance can decrease over time (normal wear, drops, repairs, etc.). Apple explicitly notes water resistance is not permanent and liquid damage isn’t covered under warranty.

Can photos/data be saved if the phone won’t turn on?

Sometimes yes. Here’s the practical way to think about it:

Better odds when:

• The phone was powered off quickly
• It was not charged while wet
• The exposure was brief (splash vs full submersion)
• It hasn’t been repeatedly “tested” by turning on/charging

Worse odds when:

• It was charged while wet (even once)
• It was saltwater / pool water / sugary drink (corrosion accelerates)
• It keeps getting warm, smells burnt, or shows obvious internal damage

Either way, the safest move is the same: stop powering it and start a repair.

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If it was saltwater / pool water / soda

Those are tougher than clean water. Samsung specifically warns that impurities can speed up corrosion and recommends drying thoroughly and getting it checked rather than powering it back on.

Translation: treat this as urgent.

✅ Start a Repair

FAQ

How long should I wait before charging?

Apple’s guidance is: unplug, dry with airflow, and it can take up to 24 hours to fully dry (and Apple also recommends waiting before charging/connecting accessories after liquid exposure).
If your phone won’t turn on, don’t keep trying to charge it—just start a repair.

What if my phone shows a “liquid detected” warning?

Disconnect the cable and don’t reconnect until everything is dry. Apple warns charging wet can corrode the connector and cause permanent damage

Can I clean the charging port myself?

If there’s a “liquid or debris” message, Google says don’t put anything into the port and to let it dry at room temperature.

Want the safest shot at getting your photos back?

If your water-damaged phone won’t turn on, the #1 mistake is continuing to test it (power/charge cycles).

✅ Start a Repair
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