Two phones go into water for five seconds each. One falls in a kitchen sink, the other in the sea. The first will very probably be fine. The second is in real trouble, and the reason is chemistry.
Why salt water is so much worse
- It conducts electricity far better. Pure water is a poor conductor. Dissolved salt makes it an excellent one. Inside a phone, that means current flows between contacts that should never be connected, causing short circuits.
- It corrodes metal quickly. Salt speeds up the reaction that eats copper, solder and the gold plating on connectors. With power present, visible corrosion can form within hours.
- It does not go away when it dries. Fresh water evaporates and leaves almost nothing. Sea water evaporates and leaves salt crystals. Those crystals pull moisture back out of the air on the next humid day, and the corrosion starts again.
- It is outside the rating. IP67 and IP68 tests are done in fresh water. Manufacturers say plainly that salt water is not covered. See what IP ratings mean.
Fresh water: usually forgiving
Tap water, rain and river water contain few dissolved minerals. If the phone is water resistant and the dip was short, the water rarely gets past the seals. What remains sits in the speaker grille and charging port and evaporates. Drying and the water eject sound are normally all it needs.
What to do after salt water
- Switch the phone off immediately. No power means far slower corrosion.
- Rinse it with fresh water. This feels wrong, but it is what manufacturers advise for water-resistant phones. Hold the phone under a gentle stream of clean tap water for a few seconds, or wipe it thoroughly with a cloth soaked in fresh water. Pay attention to the speaker grilles, the charging port and the buttons. The aim is to wash the salt off before it dries in place.
- Dry the outside with a soft cloth.
- Shake water from the ports with the openings facing down.
- Air-dry for at least 24 hours before switching on, and do not charge until the port is completely dry.
- Clear the speakers with the eject tone once the phone is back on.
Only rinse a water-resistant phone
If your phone has no IP rating, or it has had its screen or back replaced, do not rinse it. Wipe it carefully with a damp cloth, switch it off, and take it to a repair shop as soon as you can. Tell them it was salt water.
Where pool water and other liquids fit
| Liquid | Risk | Rinse first? |
|---|---|---|
| Tap or rain water | Low | No need |
| Soapy water | Medium. Soap helps water creep past seals. | Yes |
| Pool water | Medium. Chlorine is hard on seals and leaves residue. | Yes |
| Tea, coffee, juice, soft drinks | High. Sugar and acids leave sticky, corrosive residue. | Yes |
| Sea water | Highest | Yes, quickly |
Signs of trouble days later
Salt damage is often delayed. Watch for a charging port that works only at certain cable angles, speakers that crackle again after sounding fine, a phone that warms up while idle, or white or green crust around the port. Any of these means corrosion is under way and the phone should be opened and cleaned professionally before it spreads.