Water damage is one of the most unpredictable issues a phone can face, but it does not always mean the device is finished. In many cases, a water-damaged phone can be repaired if it is handled quickly and assessed by a trained technician. In this article, I’ll walk through what really happens inside a wet phone, the early signs of damage, what you should do immediately, what repairs usually involve, how much they cost, and when a phone is actually beyond saving. can water damaged phone be repaired?
I’ll also bring in some real repair-shop experience from dealing with hundreds of liquid-damaged devices at iRepair Mobiles Basingstoke, including the situations where a device could be fixed in minutes and the ones that were too far gone. You’ll also see a few simple tables and lists to make things easier to follow.
Table of Contents
Can a Water-Damaged Phone Be Repaired?
Most of the time, yes. But it depends on how quickly you act, what type of water was involved, and how far the moisture spread inside the phone.
I’ve repaired phones that were dropped in sinks, toilets, pools, even seawater. Some recovered completely. Some only needed ultrasonic cleaning. Others had fast-spreading corrosion that ruined the charging port, screen, or the motherboard.
Water damage is unpredictable, but not hopeless.
Here’s a quick look at the different outcomes we see at our Basingstoke repair centre:
How different water types affect repair chances
| Water Type | Repair Chance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Freshwater | High | Least corrosive. Still harmful if left inside. |
| Rainwater | Medium | Often mixed with dust and minerals. |
| Pool water (chlorinated) | Low | Chlorine speeds up corrosion. |
| Saltwater | Very low | Salt causes rapid and severe damage. |
If your device was in freshwater and you powered it off quickly, the chances are good. Saltwater or pool water usually needs immediate professional cleaning to have any chance.
What Happens When a Phone Gets Wet
People often think the screen or battery fails first, but the real issue is corrosion.
Water carries tiny minerals. Once it touches the electronics, it creates unintended connections between components. That can:
- Trigger short circuits
- Damage the charging port
- Break the speaker or microphone
- Kill the display or touch response
- Corrode the motherboard
Sometimes the phone works for a few hours or days, then fails suddenly. I’ve seen phones that looked fine at first, only to stop charging the next morning.
First Steps: What You Should Do Immediately
After years of fixing water-damaged phones, I’ve found the first 10 minutes matter more than anything else.
Do this immediately
- Turn the phone off
- Remove case, SIM card, tray, and accessories
- Dab it dry with a soft cloth
- Leave it in a cool, dry place
- Keep it upright so water can drain downward
- Bring it to a technician as soon as possible
Never do this
- Do NOT charge it
- Do NOT use a hairdryer
- Do NOT shake it
- Do NOT put it in rice
Rice dries only the surface and leaves starch particles in the charging port. We remove rice from ports almost every week.
Here’s a clearer breakdown:
Actions that help vs. actions that make things worse
| Good | Bad |
|---|---|
| Powering off | Turning it on to “check if it works” |
| Removing SIM | Plugging it into a charger |
| Gently drying surface | Using heat (hairdryer, radiator, sunlight) |
| Visiting a repair shop | Putting it in rice |
Signs Your Phone Has Water Damage
Here are the signs we look for during diagnostics:
- Unresponsive or flickering screen
- No sound or distorted audio
- Buttons not working
- Charging issues or overheating
- Foggy camera lens
- SIM not detected
- Moisture around charging port
- LDI (Liquid Damage Indicator) turning red or maroon
If your device shows any of these, there’s internal moisture.
Can a Water-Damaged Phone Be Fixed? (Expert Breakdown)
From my experience, about 70–75% of water-damaged devices can be revived if they reach us within the same day.
Here’s what determines success:
1. How long the water stayed inside
Corrosion grows the longer moisture sits.
This is the biggest factor.
2. Where the water reached
A bit of moisture in the speaker grill is very different from water reaching the motherboard.
3. Whether the phone was powered on
Most permanent damage happens when electricity meets moisture.
4. The type of liquid
Freshwater is simplest. Saltwater is the worst.
What We Actually Do During Water Damage Repair
A real water-damage repair is not “drying the phone.”
It’s a full technical process.
Professional Water Damage Repair Steps at iRepair Mobiles Basingstoke
- Complete teardown
Phone is opened and all components are exposed. - Moisture inspection & corrosion check
We look for corrosion, deposits, and damage around key areas. - Ultrasonic cleaning
This uses high-frequency waves to remove moisture and corrosion from the logic board and components. - Drying and stabilising components
Everything is dried in a controlled environment. - Part replacements if needed Commonly replaced parts:
- Charging port
- Battery
- Screen
- Speaker or mic
- Reassembly and diagnostic testing
We test touch, audio, charging, sensors, camera, Face ID, and overall stability.
This is why DIY fixes usually fail. Water sits in layers you can’t reach without the tools and cleaning equipment we use.
Cost to Repair Water Damage
Here’s a general guide based on real repair data:
| Repair Type | Expected Cost (UK) |
|---|---|
| Water damage cleaning only | £30–£50 |
| Cleaning + charging port replacement | £50–£90 |
| Cleaning + battery replacement | £60–£100 |
| Cleaning + screen replacement | £90–£180 |
| Motherboard-level repairs | £120+ (depending on severity) |
We always offer a free quote before starting.
A Real Experience From the Repair Bench
One customer brought in an iPhone 13 that fell into a pond. They turned it off immediately, which helped a lot. After ultrasonic cleaning and a new charging port, it was fully functional within an hour.
Another case was an iPhone 11 dropped into a swimming pool. The customer kept using it because it “seemed fine.” By the next morning the motherboard had corroded badly and eventually became irreparable.
Same water accident, different outcomes. Timing is everything.
Is It Ever “Too Late” to Fix a Water-Damaged Phone?
Yes.
If corrosion has already spread through the board’s layers, there’s no long-term fix. In these cases, the phone may work for a few hours or days and then fail again.
Signs a phone might be beyond repair:
- Not detected by repair machines
- Severe motherboard corrosion
- Multiple components failing at once
- Burnt circuits or blown ICs
In those cases, we usually help customers with data recovery instead.
How to Prevent Water Damage in the Future
Here’s what I always tell customers:
- Use a proper waterproof pouch near water
- Avoid bathrooms and kitchen counters
- Never charge phones in humid areas
- Keep your phone away from drinks
- Replace worn-out seals or cracked screens
A cracked screen allows moisture inside far faster than people realise.
Conclusion: Can Water Damaged Phone Be Repaired?
Yes, a water-damaged phone can often be repaired, especially if you act quickly. The sooner a technician can open the device, remove moisture, and clean corrosion, the better the chances of a full recovery.
At iRepair Mobiles Basingstoke, we handle water-damaged phones every day and have the tools, training, and experience to rescue devices that look completely dead on arrival.
If your phone just got wet, or you’re seeing any unusual behaviour, bring it in as soon as possible.
A fast response can be the difference between a simple fix and a total loss.
