A wet smartphone should not be powered on for at least a full day after it was submerged, because not all moisture will disappear quickly from inside the device. This point comes from an interview with Natalya Golitsyna, the head of the telephone department at MTS retail, cited by RIA Novosti.
Experts advise that right after removing the phone from water, it should be turned off immediately. Then take off the case and wipe the exterior with a soft cloth. If possible, remove the battery, SIM card, and memory card. Drying the connectors and speaker cutouts with a cotton swab may help, though care is needed to avoid pushing liquid further inside.
Golitsyna notes that moisture protection tends to be strongest in high-end flagship models. Yet she cautions that even devices with good sealing can harbor tiny gaps where water can sneak in and cause future malfunctions.
With autumn comes a rise in service-center calls about moisture damage. Water entering a phone can cause corrosion and damage critical components, making a quick response essential to rescue the device, according to Golitsyna.
She also stresses that the best course after water exposure is to contact a service center right away for professional assessment and drying procedures.
Earlier, experts warned Russians about risky versions of the WhatsApp app, underscoring the broader need for careful device security after water incidents.