Dropped your phone in water- again? Take a breath. If you’ve already run our “Fix My Speaker“ tool several times, but your audio is still crackly or muffled, you may have to take things to the next level. That’s not typical, but it’s also not totally uncommon. A 2024 lab comparison found that this type of audio solution can eject water from phone speakers but in some cases may struggle to remove moisture from other areas.
Below is a field-tested, inexpensive list of effective options- plus the why and how- for getting every last drop out, preventing corrosion, and making sure you’re prepared next time this happens.
Skip the rice bowl- go straight to real desiccants
Silica-charged pouches pull water 6× faster than rice and are reusable, so you’re not wasting good food.
- Absorbits Wet Phone Rescue Pouch uses patented Bone-Dri silica to wick moisture in 24–48 hours and gently cushions the handset while it dries.
- Hydrosorbent iRescue Kit adds a humidity card so you can physically see when the device is safe to power on again.
Inexpensive methods to remove the most persistent moisture from your phone
✅ Soft, padded shell doubles as daily dust cover
✅ Recharges in a low-heat oven for unlimited reuse
❌ One-device capacity
✅ Rechargeable canister lasts years
✅ Larger bag fits tablets or cameras
❌ Hard canister adds bulk to travel packs
✅ Vacuum mode doubles as crumb collector for keyboards
✅ Detachable battery charges via USB-C
❌ Needs a 3-hour charge before first use
Advanced repair and protection for home pros
Are you an advanced DIYer or a semi-pro? Then you’ll want to consider these pro phone repair tools and preventative options:
✅ Leaves a thin lube layer that resists future oxidation
✅ Precise straw nozzle minimizes overspray
❌ Pricey compared with generic cleaners
✅ Lifetime warranty and thousands of free guides online
✅ Magnetic lid doubles as a parts tray
❌ No replacement parts included- just tools
✅ Fits up to 7 inch screens plus cards/cash
✅ Buoyant enough to float most phones
❌ Bulky phones with thick cases can be a squeeze
Push out stubborn droplets (safely)
A can of compressed air is chilly and may blast liquid deeper. The Koonie Cordless Air Duster spins to 77,000 RPM, delivering a warm, steady 28 m/s stream- strong enough to clear the speaker grill but gentler than CO₂ bursts. Keep the nozzle 1 inch/25 mm away to avoid tearing the mesh.
Stop microscopic corrosion before it starts
After the phone is bone dry, give the speaker flex cable and SIM tray a mist of DeoxIT D5. The contact cleaner dissolves oxidation and leaves a protective conductive film. Techs have relied on it for decades.
Diagnose and document
BONUS: Slap a Water-Damage Indicator Sticker on the inside of your case. If it ever turns red you’ll know corrosion risks are rising (and you’ll have evidence for warranty claims).
If the sound is still fuzzy, open it up (or don’t)
Vibration-trapped water sometimes hides under the speaker module. If you’re handy, the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit gives you every pentalobe, tri-point and spudger you’ll need, and iFixit hosts free phone repair guides.
If you’re not comfortable, no worries- just take the toolkit to a local repair shop. Can’t go wrong leaving it to the pros if you can afford to go that route.
Future-proof your phone against the next splash
- JOTO IPX8 Waterproof Pouch survived whale-watching, snorkeling and a 100 ft depth rating in user tests, yet still lets you shoot legit video through the clear window.
- 7TECH Nano Liquid Protector bonds a hydrophobic layer at the molecular level, adding scratch and water resistance without affecting touch.
How this stack compares to common “hacks”
| Old idea | Why it falls short | Better option |
|---|---|---|
| Bowl of rice | Slow, leaves starch dust in ports | Silica-filled Absorbits or Hydrosorbent kits |
| Hair-dryer | Pushes humidity deeper, overheats components | Temperature-safe Koonie air duster |
| Cheap contact spray | Evaporates fast, no lubrication | DeoxIT D5 leaves a protective film |
Accidents happen; what matters is how fast you act and how thorough you are. With a silica kit, a precision blower, and a dab of contact cleaner, most speakers bounce back to their pre-splash clarity no problem. Store an IPX8 pouch in your day pack, and next time that kayak tips you’ll already be a step ahead.
Good luck, and may your ringtone sound nice and crisp again soon!