I accidentally dropped my Samsung Galaxy S21 in water for about 3 seconds. After that, I immediately put it in a ziploc bag with several desiccant packs and left it for 4 days to dry out. When I checked, the water in the camera lens seemed to have evaporated, so I thought it was safe to charge. However, the phone kept showing the charging symbol but didn't appear to charge at all. I couldn't turn it on, so I left it for another 2 days. When I checked again, the phone powered on, but the fingerprint scanner wasn't working and I got a warning to restart the device. After restarting, it wouldn't turn on again, and now it doesn't show any signs of life despite attempts to charge it. At one point, it rang for an incoming call, but that stopped too. I'm really worried if my phone is beyond repair since I have important data on it, and I can't afford a new one right now. Does anyone have suggestions on what I should try next?
4 Answers
If it were me, I'd definitely take it to a professional repair service. They'll be able to see if there's any chance of fixing it. This is also a reminder to regularly back up any important data on our phones!
I mean, this is what happens when electronics meet water, right? Even if brands advertise waterproof models, the truth is that seals wear down over time, and your phone may not be as resistant after a while. Some people have had luck with water-damaged devices, but it's a gamble.
Honestly, it sounds like the water caused some serious damage, especially if you tried using it while it still had water in it. Water itself isn’t the main issue; it’s the electrical current running through the water that can fry the phone’s components. You might be looking at corrosion issues as well. If it’s still not responding, you may need to take it to a repair tech for a proper assessment.
Doesn’t the Samsung S21 have an IP68 rating? That should make it waterproof to a certain extent, right?
Exactly! Even with an IP68 rating, water resistance isn't permanent. The seals may weaken, allowing liquid to seep in.
Yeah, it does have that rating, but those seals can degrade over time. It’s tested when new, but after a year or two, the effectiveness can drop significantly.
I really should have backed up everything! Just took the phone to a repair shop, fingers crossed they can save it.