Smartphones are essential to our modern lives. Apart from making calls, texting, and playing games, they help us to stay connected with the world around us. But owning any type of device comes with a set of risks, such as water damage. One common issue that many phone owners run into is when water enters the charging port. If this happens to you, here are the best ways to get water out of the charging port.
How Water Enters the Charging Port
Water can enter into your phone’s charging port in a variety of ways. Some common examples are:
● Rain – If you and your phone get caught in the rain, water can easily seep into the phone via the charging port.
● Splash – Perhaps you dropped your phone in the toilet after giving it a quick rinse. Even if the phone doesn’t go completely under the water, some water could still enter the device via the charging port.
● Sweat – Even if you’re careful around water, sweat can still be a factor. If you use your phone outdoors on a hot and humid day, or in the gym, the sweat could enter the charging port as you’re using it.
Water and Charging Port Don’ts
When water enters the charging port, there are a few things you should avoid:
● Don’t Force Dry – There are plenty of methods for drying out the water in a phone’s charging port. However, trying to blow dry the port with a hairdryer should always be avoided. Doing so can cause more harm to the internals of the device.
● Don’t Use Anything Sharp – One of the more extreme methods people use to remove water from charging ports is to insert something slim and sharp into it. This is a big no-no, as it could further damage the port.
● Don’t Shake or Move the Phone – When charging ports get wet, the water can conduct electricity, resulting in a short circuit. To avoid this, try to keep the phone still and do not shake it.
Using a Vacuum Cleaner
A vacuum cleaner is one of the best ways to remove water from a charging port. This method works best when done as soon as the water enters the port. It’s important to not just use any vacuum cleaner for siphoning water. You should opt for a cordless one with a nozzle tip attachment or a wet-dry vacuum.
Once you have the appropriate vacuum cleaner, do the following steps:
● Make sure the phone is off or in low power mode.
● Put the nozzle tip attachment over the charging port.
● Turn on the vacuum cleaner and make sure the air is going out the back side of the nozzle.
● Hover the nozzle over the charging port for about 10 seconds until you can’t see any more water been sucked out.
Clean Cotton Swabs
Cotton swabs are another effective tool for removing water from the charging port. To do this, you’ll need to grab a toothpick and some dental floss in addition to the cotton swab. This is the process you should follow:
● Start by taking a clean cotton swab and rolling it into a thin cylinder.
● Tie one end of the dental floss around the middle of the cotton swab.
● Insert the other end of the dental floss and the toothpick into the charging port.
● Use the dental floss to pull the cotton swab back and forth to remove the water from the port.
● Continue this process until you don’t see any more water been removed.
Using Desiccants
Desiccants, such as silica gel packets or uncooked rice, are great for drying out the water in a charging port. This method is best used when the phone has had time to sit. Here’s how to do it:
● Start by taking the desiccant and placing it in an airtight container.
● Place the phone in the container so that the charging port is right above the desiccant.
● Close the lid and leave the phone in there for at least 12 hours.
● Be careful when removing the phone from the container as it can still be a bit wet on the inside.
Using a Heating Device
This is the last solution and should only be used as a last resort. Heating devices, such as a heat gun or a hair dryer, are used to vaporize the water trapped in the charging port. To do this:
● Start by setting the heating device to its lowest setting.
● Place the heating device about 20cm away from the phone’s charging port.
● Turn on the device and hover it over the charging port for about 20 seconds. Do not leave the device in one spot for too long.
● Turn off the device and wait for the phone to cool down.
These are the best methods for removing the water from your phone’s charging port. Try to take the necessary precautions to keep your phone dry, such as using a waterproof case and keeping it away from liquids. If you end up with water in the charging port, don’t panic as there are ways to get it out. Remember to never use something sharp or force dry the port as this can cause more harm to the device.
