Phone data recovery after water damage

If your beloved smartphone has unfortunately come into contact with water and no longer works properly, professional chemical cleaning could save your data. But how do you go about it, and what do you need? Don't worry, we have put together a simple guide to show you how to professionally clean your water-damaged device.

Before you begin, make sure you disconnect the device from power and remove the battery, if possible. This minimizes the risk of short circuits. Even if you have already done this, we strongly urge you not to switch the device on again or charge it.

Place the device on a dry towel and remove any accessible parts, such as the back cover. Avoid heat sources such as hair dryers or heaters, as excessive heat can damage the device. Leave the device undisturbed for at least 24 to 48 hours.

If you feel confident, you could use a special alcohol-based electronics cleaning solution (e.g. isopropanol). Dip a lint-free cloth into the solution and gently clean the device's components. Alternatively, you can use a toothbrush, for example. Thoroughly clean all accessible parts with the solvent. Make sure not to leave any chemical residue.

If you want to carry out professional chemical cleaning, you will need an ultrasonic cleaner. These devices generate high-frequency sound waves that create tiny cavitation bubbles. These bubbles implode, producing microcurrents that can dislodge dirt, dust and, in this case, water residue from electronic components.

Leave the device to dry again for a few hours to ensure all moisture has been removed.

Connect the device to a power source and try switching it on. If it does not respond, further damage may have occurred, or the problem could lie with your smartphone's logic board.

In this case, it may be time to seek professional help.

Have the tips above failed to help in your situation? In that case, we recommend seeking professional assistance from a data recovery company.