TECH

How to save a wet phone — and what not to do

Jessica Naziri
Special for USA TODAY
If your phone gets wet, it may be your first instinct to test whether your gadget actually works. But just a few seconds could make a difference in whether it survives. As soon as it plunges into that toilet, fish it out and turn it off.

Editor’s note:The following column by an independent contributor has been edited to an abbreviated story version following an internal review of claims that the writer provided some information perceived to be independently gathered but taken from other sources without proper credit. We’re providing the first two paragraphs of the column for context only. USA TODAY places high importance on trust, which includes clear sourcing and attribution standards. We regret any inconvenience to you, our readers.

LOS ANGELES — Splish splash.

It's your worst technological nightmare. It fell in the toilet. Your clumsy friend knocked a glass of water on it. You forgot it was in your pocket when you jumped into the pool.

You've got a wet smartphone you have likely spent hundreds of dollars on, and that carries your life in it.

Don't panic. There still may be hope. Just follow these steps and you'll have a good chance of breathing life back into your drowned smartphone. Be sure to read what not to do for some useful myth busting.