Phone Dropped in Saltwater? What to Do Next

Why Is Saltwater Worse for a Phone Than Fresh Water?

Saltwater is worse for a phone because the salt stays behind when the water dries, blocking openings and speeding up corrosion. Samsung warns that salt can build up and block the microphone, earpiece and speaker. Salt on metal contacts in the charging port corrodes them faster than fresh water does.

Should You Rinse a Phone With Fresh Water?

Yes, rinsing a water-resistant phone with fresh water after saltwater is what Samsung advises. The rinse washes salt out before it dries. Check your own phone's manual first, because advice differs between makers and older phones may not be water-resistant at all.

How to Clean a Phone After Saltwater

1. Rinse the phone gently under fresh tap water, or dip it briefly in a bowl of fresh water.
2. Dry the outside with a clean, soft cloth.
3. Tap the phone gently with the charging port facing down to drain the ports.
4. Leave it to air-dry in a dry place with moving air.
5. Wait at least 30 minutes before you try charging, as Apple advises for wet iPhones. Leave it up to 24 hours if a liquid alert appears; see water in the charging port.

The full routine for any wet phone is in the guide to dry a wet phone.

Does IP68 Protect Against Saltwater?

No, an IP68 rating doesn't promise protection against saltwater. IP ratings under IEC 60529 are tested in fresh water. Salt, sand, waves and chlorine aren't part of the test. Read what the numbers cover in IP68 vs IP67.

When Should You Run the Speaker Cleaner?

Run the speaker cleaner only after you've rinsed and dried the phone. Sound can move liquid out of the grille, but it can't move dried salt. Rinse first, dry second, then use the speaker cleaner for any muffled sound that's left.

What Are the Signs of Saltwater Corrosion?

Signs of saltwater corrosion show up as residue, charging faults and audio problems in the days after the drop.

• A white or green crust in the charging port or speaker holes.
• A charger that only works at certain angles, or not at all.
• Crackling or fading sound from the speaker.
• Buttons that stick or stop responding.

When Should You Take the Phone for Repair?

Take the phone for repair as soon as you see any sign of corrosion, or if it stayed in the sea for more than a moment. Corrosion keeps spreading after the phone dries, so early cleaning by a technician matters. Liquid damage is often excluded from standard warranties; check your cover first. If only the speaker is affected, see the fixes for a phone speaker not working.