We all love the rains in the monsoon season as it provides the much needed respite from the scorching heat of the summer. We also love using our smartphones and can’t even think about surviving even a single day without using it. But, rains and smartphones don’t go so well with each other.
Water and moisture are the killer of electronics. So we must use our smartphone very cautiously during the rainy season. Because, if water gets inside and you continue to use your phone then it will result in a permanent damage to its internal circuitry whose repair might burn in a hole in your pocket.
Here are some tips and tricks that you ought to know if you want to use your beloved phone outdoors during the rains:
1. Put Your Phone In A Zip lock
This is by far one of the most effective and a simple way to safeguard your smartphone from the rains. Just put your phone in a zip-lock plastic bag and keep it in your pocket/bag.
2. Use a Water Proof Cover
A water-proof cover provides the ultimate protection so you can use your phone without any worries. However, most of the reputed phone-case manufacturers make cases only for the flagship phones, so it might happen that you won’t be able to find a water-proof case for your phone. And in that case, use the other tips mentioned in the article.
3. Always Keep It In A Water-proof Bag
This is a very good option and will definitely protect your phone from the rainwater but it won’t be as effective as zip-lock bag. For complete protection against water and damage it would suggest that you put in your phone inside a zip-lock bag, and then keep it in a water-proof bag.
4. Use A Headset
Using a headset will let you answer calls without worrying about the rain. This strategy works best when clubbed with #1 and #3.
5. Don’t Use The Phone Unnecessarily
Many of us smartphone users are in a constant habit of checking our smartphones after every few minutes for no reason at all. This increases the risk of getting your phone drenched or moistened. Don’t do it.
6. Avoid Texting As Much As Possible
Texting in the rain can get you in real trouble if the rainwater manages to enter the openings such as that of microUSB, microphone, and the audio jack. Avoid texting in the rain at all costs. unless if you have a water-proof cover.
7. Get It A Waterproof Nano Coating
This is a somewhat expensive procedure to follow but it will ensure that you use your phone without worrying about the rains. With this coating on, you will also be able to use your phone in a swimming pool without any worries.
The Worst Case Scenario…
So, what if you took all possible precautions and the water still manages to get to the internals of your phone? It will give your goose bumps, right ? Well, worry not. All is not lost when you notice that still has just entered your phone. Just do the following steps carefully and immediately:
Turn It Off; Remove The Battery, SIMs, and microSD card
Turning off your smartphone should be the first thing that you should do when your phone takes a dunk in the kitchen sink or gets wets in the rain. Remove the battery for preventing short-circuits and then remove all the SIM cards and the microSD card.
Sometimes the moisture might remain trapped in these card slots. So removing these cards will make the slots come in direct contact with the air, which will then aid in the drying up of the internal circuitry. No part of your phone should be in contact with moisture or water when you turn it on.
Let It Dry
Never use a moistened or a dunked phone without making sure that its internals are completely dry.
One of the most popular method is putting the phone in a box full of uncooked rice for a night. The rice will absorb all the moisture over the night.
If you can’t follow the above method then place it in an air-tight box along with a couple of silica-gel pouches. These pouches are very good moisture absorbers and are used at a lot of places for removing the moisture.
If you can’t do any of the above mentioned things then it would best if you place the phone (with battery and cards removed) in the bright Sun for a couple of hours.
Avoid Charging Until It’s Completely Dry
If you try to charge a wet phone then it might result in a short-circuit. And we all know what a short-circuit does. It will fry up the internal circuit and the connections on the main board. The cost of getting it repaired would be in thousands of rupees. You’ll be lucky if you can get it repaired under 5,000 bucks.
If you are unsure whether your phone has become completely dry or not, then it would be best if you take it to the customer-care centre for a detailed water-lodgement inspection and making necessary repairs.
Img credits: shutterstock