Prevent water-damaged devices from dampening your summer fun

Summer often involves swimming pools and lakes, but don’t let a wet cellphone sink your fun. It’s common for people to accidentally drop their phone in the pool, while at the river, or even in the toilet. A UScellular survey found that 77 percent of people use their phones while in the bathroom and 23 percent  of people have dropped their phone in the toilet.

“As we put down our devices and spend time reconnecting with each other, we can forget that our phones are still on us while we enjoy summer,” said Brandi McCune, director of sales and operations for UScellular in New England. “There are several ways to prevent or save your device from water damage and by taking quick action, a waterlogged device can still be salvageable.”

Before you head to the beach, pool, or lake this summer, UScellular offers some tips on how to rescue a wet cellphone:

• Get a water-resistant device. Consider getting a water-resistant phone so you can visit the pool or beach without fear. The iPhone 14 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S23 offer water-resistant technology that allows them to be briefly submerged in water and still function correctly. You can also put a device in a waterproof phone pouch bag to protect it from water and sand.
• Act fast. If your cellphone does get wet, retrieve it from the water as quickly as possible. Turn it off right away, remove any cases or covers, and remove all memory cards, headsets, and other accessories. Take out the SIM card and dry it off with a towel or cloth. The SIM card may retain important data, even if the phone itself can’t be saved.
• Wipe it down. Carefully wipe a wet phone with a clean, soft towel, rag, or cloth. Try to avoid getting water into the phone’s cracks, ports, or other openings. If dropped in toilet water, consider using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol or disinfecting wipe on hard, nonporous surfaces, such as the display and other exterior surfaces.
• Wait it out. Place your device in a dry area with good circulation and wait at least five hours. You could also use a compressed aerosol air duster to blow out the water but avoid using heat like from a hair dryer or microwave and don’t use household cleaning products. Additionally, avoid charging the phone until you’re sure it’s dry.
• Protect your device. UScellular offers Device Protection+ that not only helps you replace a water-damaged phone but also comes with tools to back up photos and fast device replacement- as soon as the same day.

Excessive heat is also something to be mindful of during the summer months. It is best to keep a phone in the shade and never store in the car, where temperatures can climb to between 130 to 172 ̊degrees on a hot day. If a device overheats, the internal components may become damaged, causing data loss or a dead battery. An overheated phone will likely display a temperature warning screen. If you see this, turn the phone off immediately and begin a cooling process – but don’t rush it as you do not want to produce condensation inside the internal components.

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has pledged to provide hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet. Additionally, UScellular has price protected all of its plans, promising not to increase prices through at least the end of 2024. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or http://www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.