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What happens if your phone falls in the ocean?

Salt water is far worse for a phone than a dip in the pool — even a "waterproof" one. The real damage is corrosion that shows up days later. Here's what happens and the right way to rescue it.

By İpek Yılmaz Updated 4 min read 3 sources checked
Illustration of a smartphone sinking into ocean waves with bubbles
Illustration: whid
Damage scale 3/5 Costly
How fastDamage builds over hours to weeks
Can you undo it?Often — if you rinse and dry it fast
Typical cost$0 – a new phone

The short answer

A recent water-resistant phone (rated IP67 or IP68) often survives a quick drop — but those ratings are tested in fresh water, not the sea. The danger with salt water is what it leaves behind: as it dries, salt crystals corrode the ports, speakers and contacts, so problems can appear days or weeks later. Rinse it briefly with fresh tap water, dry it, and don't charge it while it's wet.

On this page 10 sections
  1. Step by step
  2. "Waterproof" phones aren't salt-water-proof
  3. Why rinsing with tap water is the right move
  4. Drying it properly
  5. When to get help
  6. Will your phone survive?
  7. What to do now
  8. Myth vs fact
  9. Reader stories
  10. Quick questions

01 What happens, step by step

  1. 0–30 sec

    The splash

    A sealed, water-resistant phone keeps water out of the main body at first. Older or damaged phones may take on water immediately.

  2. Minutes

    Salt water gets into the openings

    Charging port, speaker and microphone grilles and SIM tray fill with seawater. Sound may be muffled and the screen may react to water.

  3. Hours

    Water dries, salt stays

    As water evaporates, salt crystals are left on metal contacts — and salt plus moisture plus electricity is the recipe for corrosion.

  4. Days–weeks

    Delayed failures

    Charging becomes unreliable, speakers crackle, the phone restarts randomly or the battery behaves strangely. This is why "it seemed fine" phones die later.

Pool, puddle, sink — and then there's the ocean. Salt water is in its own category because what kills phones is rarely the water itself, but the corrosion it starts.

"Waterproof" phones aren't salt-water-proof

Modern flagships carry IP67 or IP68 ratings, which means they passed lab tests for submersion in still, fresh water for a set time and depth. Seawater, waves, sand and sunscreen aren't part of that test, and the seals that keep water out get weaker with age and drops. Phone makers say water resistance isn't permanent and liquid damage typically isn't covered by warranty.

At a glance: What happens if your phone falls in the ocean? Damage scale 3/5 (Costly); how fast: Damage builds over hours to weeks; typical cost: $0 – a new phone.
At a glance: the damage rating, how fast it happens, whether it can be undone and what it usually costs.

Why rinsing with tap water is the right move

It sounds backwards, but manufacturers of water-resistant phones advise rinsing the device with fresh tap water after it has been exposed to liquids other than plain water, such as seawater. The goal is to wash the salt off before it dries into the ports. Do this only with a water-resistant phone that is undamaged — a short rinse, not a bath.

Five-step diagram for rescuing a phone dropped in salt water: rinse, tap out, air dry, wait before charging
Rinsing off the salt before it dries is the step most people skip.

Drying it properly

Hold the phone with the charging port facing down and tap it gently against your hand to get liquid out. Wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth and leave it somewhere dry with good airflow — a cool fan is ideal. Remove the case and SIM tray so they can dry too.

Wait before you charge. Plugging a wet port into power is the fastest way to corrode it. Wait several hours, and longer if the phone shows a "liquid detected" warning. Wireless charging is no exception if the phone is still damp.

When to get help

If the phone isn't water-resistant, won't turn on, got hot, or starts misbehaving in the following days, take it to an authorised repair shop and ask for a corrosion clean. The sooner contacts are cleaned, the better the chance of saving the board — and your data. Back up the phone as soon as it works.

02 Will your phone survive?

Rough guide. Water damage is usually not covered by standard warranties — check your insurance or extended protection plan.

Your situationLikely outcome
IP68 phone, a few seconds in shallow water, rinsed afterwardsUsually survives with no lasting problems
IP68 phone, several minutes or deep waterReal risk — seals aren't rated for salt water or depth plus waves
IP67 or older water-resistant phoneModerate to high risk, especially if seals have aged
No rating, cracked screen/back or recently repairedHigh risk — water reaches the board directly
Phone was charging or switched on and heats upTurn off immediately; high risk of short circuit

03 What to do right now

  1. Get it out and switch it off if it's not water-resistant. Also switch it off if it becomes hot or behaves strangely.
  2. Rinse briefly with fresh tap water (water-resistant phones). This washes salt out of ports and grilles before it dries.
  3. Tap out the water, port facing down. Then wipe with a lint-free cloth and remove the case and SIM tray.
  4. Air-dry with a cool fan — and don't charge it yet. Wait several hours; longer if you see a liquid warning.
  5. Back up your data as soon as it works. Corrosion problems can appear days later.

04 Myth vs fact

Myth Put it in a bag of rice.

Fact Major phone makers advise against rice: it doesn't dry the inside faster and dust or starch can get into the ports. Airflow works better.

Myth Use a hair dryer to speed things up.

Fact Heat can damage the battery, seals and adhesives, and blowing air can push water deeper. Use cool air.

Myth If it still works after an hour, it's fine.

Fact Salt corrosion is slow. Problems often appear days or weeks later.

05 Has this happened to you?

Real experiences from readers. Stories are checked by an editor before they appear and are not professional advice.

No reader stories yet — be the first to share yours.

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06 Quick questions

Is an IP68 phone safe to use in the sea?

It's not designed for it. IP ratings are tested in fresh water; salt, waves and sand can get past seals. Use a waterproof pouch for swimming.

Does insurance cover a phone dropped in the ocean?

Standard warranties usually exclude liquid damage. Some phone insurance and extended protection plans cover accidental damage — check your policy.

Can a corroded charging port be fixed?

Often, yes. A repair shop can clean or replace the port. It's much cheaper if done before corrosion spreads to the board.

Sources

  1. Apple Support — Splash, water and dust resistance of iPhone
  2. Samsung Support — Water and dust resistance of Galaxy devices
  3. IEC 60529 — Degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP code)

General information only. Laws, prices and procedures vary by location and change over time — check with a qualified professional for your situation. Full disclaimer.

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