My girlfriend dropped her Google Pixel 9 Pro in the bathtub for about two or three seconds. We initially put it in rice for a few minutes, then removed it after learning that rice is not recommended. The case is off, the phone has been powered down, and we wiped off as much water as possible. We plan to let it air-dry for at least 24–48 hours before trying to turn it on. Is there anything else we should do to reduce the chance of damage?
2 Answers
The phone is designed to survive accidental water exposure, but it isn’t truly waterproof. Keep the ports facing downward and gently wipe away any remaining water without poking anything into the openings. After it has dried thoroughly, try powering it on without connecting a charger first. If the cameras fog up, the screen behaves strangely, or it won’t start, stop using it and have it inspected.
The Pixel 9 Pro has an IP68 water-resistance rating, so a brief drop in shallow fresh water will often be fine. Still, that rating comes from controlled testing, and water resistance can weaken with age or previous damage. Keep it switched off, remove the case, dry the outside, and let it air-dry at room temperature. Don’t use a hair dryer, heat, compressed air, or rice, and don’t plug it in until you’re confident the USB port is completely dry.
I’d wait the full 24–48 hours rather than turning it on the next morning. A phone can appear fine but still have moisture inside, and powering it or charging it too soon is the bigger risk.