Water damage is one of the most common reasons phones stop working — especially here in Darwin, where humidity, storms, rain, beaches, pools, and wet season flooding are part of everyday life.
Whether your phone fell into water, got caught in heavy rain, or was exposed to moisture over time, what you do in the first few minutes can make the difference between saving your phone or losing it completely.
At Darwin Cellular, we see water-damaged phones every week. Here’s our expert guide on exactly what to do — and what to avoid.
🚨 Step 1: Turn Your Phone Off Immediately
The moment water enters your phone, electricity becomes the biggest danger.
Do this immediately:
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Power the phone OFF
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Do not press buttons unnecessarily
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Do not unlock or test the screen
⚠️ Even if your phone still works, water can cause internal corrosion that gets worse over time.
🔌 Step 2: Remove Everything You Can
As quickly as possible:
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Remove the case
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Take out the SIM card
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Remove memory cards
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Disconnect charging cables or accessories
This allows moisture to escape and prevents trapped water from causing further damage.
❌ Step 3: What NOT to Do (Very Important)
These are the most common mistakes we see customers make in Darwin:
🚫 Don’t Put Your Phone in Rice
Rice does not remove moisture trapped inside your phone. It often gives a false sense of security while corrosion continues internally.
🚫 Don’t Use a Hair Dryer or Heat
Heat can:
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Warp internal components
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Damage batteries
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Push water deeper into the phone
🚫 Don’t Charge the Phone
Charging a wet phone can instantly short-circuit the logic board — often causing permanent damage.
🌧️ Water Damage in Darwin: Why It’s More Serious Here
Darwin’s climate makes water damage more aggressive than in cooler, drier cities.
Factors that increase risk:
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High humidity year-round
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Wet season storms and flash rain
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Saltwater exposure from beaches and boats
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Sweat and moisture exposure at worksites
Phones exposed to moisture in the NT often develop corrosion faster, even if they appear fine at first.
🔍 Step 4: Get a Professional Water Damage Inspection
Even if your phone:
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Turns on
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Charges
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Seems “normal”
There may already be corrosion forming internally.
At Darwin Cellular, our water damage process includes:
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Internal inspection
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Moisture and corrosion assessment
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Professional drying and cleaning
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Honest advice on repair vs replacement
⏱️ The sooner you bring it in, the better the chance of saving it.
📍 Why Choose Darwin Cellular for Water Damage Repairs?
We’re local, experienced, and understand Darwin conditions.
✔️ Fast diagnostics
✔️ Experienced technicians
✔️ Honest repair advice
✔️ Convenient locations across Darwin
We’ve successfully recovered phones from:
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Rain exposure
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Pool and ocean water
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Toilet drops
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Flood and cyclone moisture damage
📌 Final Advice: Time Matters
Water damage doesn’t always kill a phone immediately — but it almost always gets worse if ignored.
If your phone has been exposed to water:
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Turn it off
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Don’t charge it
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Bring it in ASAP
📍 Darwin Cellular – Your Local Phone Repair Experts
📞 Visit us in-store or contact us today for a water damage check.