What to do if you drop your phone down the loo

Our phones are with us wherever we go. They get shoved in pockets, chucked in bags and if we’re completely honest, they get dropped a few times too. So, a bit of wear and tear’s to be expected.

When it comes to damaged phones, the most common problem is a cracked screen. But dropping it in water comes a close second. And nearly half of all phones with some kind of water damage have suffered that ‘dropped in the toilet’ issue.

If it happens to you, it’s gutting. But at least you can take some comfort in knowing you’re not the first, and won’t be the last, right?

Help! I’ve dropped my phone down the loo

Okay, your phone’s in the loo. Don’t panic. There might be alarm bells going off in your head and “Argh! Phone in toilet, phone in toilet!” might be the first words you squeal. But stay calm.

You need to get your phone away from whatever the source of water is. Not a problem if it’s taken a dive while you’ve been doing the washing up. But a bit gross if you need to carefully fish it out of the toilet bowl though. And whatever you do, don’t be tempted to flush the loo first.  You need to get it out of there right away, germs and all. Nice.

Then, carefully remove the case, SIM, and battery – if you can. You won’t be able to remove the battery from some devices, like an iPhone. But fear not, a water-damaged iPhone isn’t a lost cause.

The next thing you need to do is get a cloth. Dab any visible liquid to help soak it up. Remember to avoid using tissue or any other type of cloth that could leave fluff or fibres.

If you’ve dropped your phone in water, does putting it in a bowl of uncooked rice really save it? Or is that just a myth?

We’re here to tell you that it really works. Leave your soggy phone in the rice for as long as possible – we’re talking at least 12 hours. This will help soak up any remaining moisture, even the stuff you can’t see.

Don’t try turning your phone on in that time – even if you’re really tempted. And don’t try to dry it out any other way like with a hairdryer or a heater. That could cause even more damage.

Three Insurance has it covered

Losing or breaking your phone: it happens. But Three Insurance has you covered.

Bought a phone with us between 7 August 2017 and 6 March 2020 and took out insurance? Then you’ll have Three Insurance cover. That means that if your phone’s accidentally damaged or dropped down the loo, you’re covered. And we’ll get you back up and running the next day.

Back up your phone

Breaking or losing your phone’s bad enough without having to post that needy ‘new phone, send numbers’ message on social media.

And what if you lose all your photos and videos? Doesn’t bear thinking about.

To avoid that worry, make sure your phone’s backed up. Trust us, future you will thank you.

Lost your phone? Features like Find my iPhone or Find my Device are available on iOS and Android devices. Use them to remotely wipe your phone and keep your important info safe from prying eyes.

Waterproof phones

Years ago, dropping your phone in water would have meant game over, especially if you didn’t have mobile insurance. Now though, it’s not always the end. Most modern phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12, come IP68 rated. That means they should survive being in 1.5m of water for 30 minutes. Phew.

If you’ve got a Samsung phone and you think it’s been damaged, why not book a WeFix home repair? They can drive to your home address and fix it in their van, while you wait. Most repairs are sorted in under an hour and they’re guaranteed for 12 months.

A wet phone isn’t the end

Just because your phone fell in the loo, it doesn’t mean it’s all over. Grab a bag of rice or make an insurance claim and you’ll be up and running in no time. Just beware next time you put your phone in your back pocket.

But if that bag of rice doesn’t quite do the trick, check out our top 5 Christmas offers. There’s even an exclusive SIM Only deal in there too. But hurry, offer ends 22 December 2021.