Develop Bugs

Water Damage?

How can I tell if my warranty is going to be turned down for water damage? I have never had it in the water before, but the sticker on the back has the red crosses it.

I'm pretty sure that circle goes all dark red if you get water on it
Sent from my AMOLED Incredible

jimbub said:
I'm pretty sure that circle goes all dark red if you get water on it
Sent from my AMOLED Incredible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right. the sticker will go all red or all pink depending on who made it. its suppose to have the X's in it.

sorry, didn't notice I posted that in the Dev forum...thanks for moving.

Wouldn't you know if you get your phone wet? I think you already know the answer to your question here I mean tray now.
Sent from my HTC Droid Incredible using XDA Premium app

In the retail stores we typically don't go by the liquid indicators because frequently they're inaccurate. We usually look for signs of corrosion, condensation or just plain liquid in the device.

A good way to dry your device out is to put it in a sealed ziplock bag with some rice...it works! Revived my girlfriend's iPhone and camera after both became submerged when a water bottle broke in her purse.

The "sticker" is the same litmus paper you use in chemistry- it changes colors with the presence of moisture. When I worked for a regional wireless carrier in my area and someone came in for a warranty replacement, that was the first thing we checked. There are usually 2; one in/around the battery compartment and one on the battery itself. I've also noticed lately some manufacturers put them under the phones housing. I've seen them change just from having your phone in the bathroom when you take a shower. Also, if it gets wet but all seems well, you're not in the clear yet. Sometimes it'll be ok at first but will eventually creep through the phone and corrode terminals/connections. Hope this helps. Its against my religion to use paragraphs.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App

Aren't most insurance things covering everything except lost or stolen phones?
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.

keith.mcintyre26 said:
The "sticker" is the same litmus paper you use in chemistry- it changes colors with the presence of moisture. When I worked for a regional wireless carrier in my area and someone came in for a warranty replacement, that was the first thing we checked. There are usually 2; one in/around the battery compartment and one on the battery itself. I've also noticed lately some manufacturers put them under the phones housing. I've seen them change just from having your phone in the bathroom when you take a shower. Also, if it gets wet but all seems well, you're not in the clear yet. Sometimes it'll be ok at first but will eventually creep through the phone and corrode terminals/connections. Hope this helps. Its against my religion to use paragraphs.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The iPhone 3 is notorious for being overly sensitive to humidity; simply having your phone on you while you're sweating can get the sensor wet, as can having it in a humid environment such as a steamy bathroom. I haven't heard of anything quite this bad with other manufacturers, but the locations of the moisture indicators was also suboptimal; of the 4(?) in the phone, one is inside the headphone jack, while the other is next to the charging port.
I Am Marino said:
Aren't most insurance things covering everything except lost or stolen phones?
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well...the thing about insurance is they want to pay out as little as possible. I've heard of some mobile insurance companies not covering moisture damage. Make sure you read the terms of coverage carefully before you start paying for something that may not help you at all.

HELP! My wife drops EVO into a cup of soda!

What should I do?
The soda was sprite with no ice so it wasn't diluted. It was sitting submitted for about ten minutes before she noticed (it was in the cup holder in the car while driving).
I'm pretty sure it's probably beyond saving but just the same I'm thinking of rinsing it in warm water to get as much of the sugar out as possible.
Then putting it into a container with rice for a couple days.
Any suggestions would be welcome but please don't say anything off color towards my wife. That won't be appreciated.
EDIT: Does Sprint insurance cover this?

I work for Verizon wireless and having a cellphone submerged in liquid for 10 mins is no Bueno mi amigo. A simple splash has been killing a bunch of phones. But I'd suggest you obviously take out battery and blow dry it and use the rice but don't attempt to turn for a little while.. Good luck bud.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Shaquiel Harris said:
I work for Verizon wireless and having a cellphone submerged in liquid for 10 mins is no Bueno mi amigo. A simple splash has been killing a bunch of phones. But I'd suggest you obviously take out battery and blow dry it and use the rice but don't attempt to turn for a little while.. Good luck bud.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think I should rinse it in warm water though. I'm thinking the sugar/syrup is worse than plain water.

There is no way that the phone will work again. Doesn't matter what type of liquid its dropped in. Sorry to hear about your loss
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk

Your best best is to leave it in a closed contained, completely submerged in rice, with the battery removed, for a day or two.

Yeah I put in an airtight container with rice as soon as she got home.
I'm still wondering if rinsing it might be a good idea.
Any clue as to whether Sprint insurance covers this?

Do you have insurance on the device? And if so, talk to them if last resort.
PointDexter's Flipped EVO

rocknblogger said:
Yeah I put in an airtight container with rice as soon as she got home.
I'm still wondering if rinsing it might be a good idea.
Any clue as to whether Sprint insurance covers this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They won't, as its considered water damage, which isn't covered. I think if you have insurance and its done, the best they might give you is pay 100$ to replace it.

teh roxxorz said:
They won't, as its considered water damage, which isn't covered. I think if you have insurance and its done, the best they might give you is pay 100$ to replace it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay thanks. $100 for the EVO 4G I think would be too much today. If they're kind enough to put it towards something else I would be happy.

rocknblogger said:
Okay thanks. $100 for the EVO 4G I think would be too much today. If they're kind enough to put it towards something else I would be happy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea...since its officially listed as EOL...you may try to swing an Evo 3D, or perhaps another near comparable device.

I have saved a phone that was submerged in water. I took it apart almost all the way and put in the oven on the lowest setting for about an hour or so. Working perfectly!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

If you do want to rinse off the soda make sure you use distilled water only! Distilled water is non conducting
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Purest alcohol you can get leave it in for 10 to 30 mins let dry in rice for day or two
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

Phucko said:
I have saved a phone that was submerged in water. I took it apart almost all the way and put in the oven on the lowest setting for about an hour or so. Working perfectly!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know how many components you could have fried?
Never, ever, ever do that.

Thanks all, sounds like all good advice.

Phucko said:
I have saved a phone that was submerged in water. I took it apart almost all the way and put in the oven on the lowest setting for about an hour or so. Working perfectly!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know there's something to this. I know two people who saved their video cards this way. But I think I'll leave it as an absolute last resort.

my daughter saved her old katana by putting it in rice for 2 days. it was powered up when she dropped it into a mud puddle.
On the sprint insurance... it depends on what level you have. if you have equipment repair then no if you have total equipment protection YES it will be covered with a $100 deductible. you will have to go through asureon. another not on that i have known a few people recently that made claims on evo4g and received a 3d as a replacement... not saying it will happen, but it could.

nrm5110 said:
Purest alcohol you can get leave it in for 10 to 30 mins let dry in rice for day or two
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the correct answer

teh roxxorz said:
Yea...since its officially listed as EOL...you may try to swing an Evo 3D, or perhaps another near comparable device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I work for sprint and checked yesterday to see if that was an option for a customer and it is not. Still get the original with a claim.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Phucko said:
If you do want to rinse off the soda make sure you use distilled water only! Distilled water is non conducting
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As soon as you put the device in distilled water, the water will become conductive.

Dropped my phone in water and...

So yesterday after I got home drunk I showered and I got out. When I grabbed my phone to get out of bathroom it slipped out of my hand and fell in the pool of water. My phone was completely submerged in the water. So I instantly dropped everything rescuing my phone and it was dripping wet =-O... and you know what happened to it? NOTHING! I was sure my phone was history but nothing happend how is this possible???
I want to know if something like this has ever happened to someone. Have you ever broke your phone in any way and you were just like wtf just happened?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Blu33 said:
So yesterday after I got home drunk I showered and I got out. When I grabbed my phone to get out of bathroom it slipped out of my hand and fell in the pool of water. My phone was completely submerged in the water. So I instantly dropped everything rescuing my phone and it was dripping wet =-O... and you know what happened to it? NOTHING! I was sure my phone was history but nothing happend how is this possible???
I want to know if something like this has ever happened to someone. Have you ever broke your phone in any way and you were just like wtf just happened?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've dropped my phone in water and the water was immediately destroyed. I loved my Nokia.

I would definitely take battery out and leave phone in bag of rice for a day just to be sure. But that's just me
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Blu33 said:
So yesterday after I got home drunk I showered and I got out. When I grabbed my phone to get out of bathroom it slipped out of my hand and fell in the pool of water. My phone was completely submerged in the water. So I instantly dropped everything rescuing my phone and it was dripping wet =-O... and you know what happened to it? NOTHING! I was sure my phone was history but nothing happend how is this possible???
I want to know if something like this has ever happened to someone. Have you ever broke your phone in any way and you were just like wtf just happened?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously dude, you need to let that thing air out for a day. I HIGHLY recommend disassembling it.
Believe it or not, the majority of phones we reject for liquid damage are not because of standing water short-circuiting the board or it's components, but rather water that has been left sit, and the board then corrodes. Alot of the effects of water on the board are not realized until after the water has sat for a while, and components start to calcify or rust. Just because the phone didn't fail immediately, does NOT mean you don't have a ticking time bomb of water in there.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

If he ever brings it in for repair, they will notice immediately that it was exposed to water.

i dropped mine in water a few weeks ago at work. the battery cover came off and the battery got soaked. after it dried over night it worked, but acted weird for a few weeks. now its like nothing ever happened

bakarus said:
I would definitely take battery out and leave phone in bag of rice for a day just to be sure. But that's just me
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I generally do not recommend rice, as it's pretty much a red herring for us to start looking for minute corrosion. Taking this phone apart is not difficult, all that is required is a small Phillips head and plastic thin enough to wedge between the screen and the bezel (or long fingernails lol).
Pat dry wet spots with a soft cloth; if youre really ambitious you can scrub small amounts of denatured alcohol on affected areas.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

I used a air compresser on full blasted everything. Took battery out and everything and used that air. Lets see what happens. Strange thing is the white battery indicator didn't turn red. I honestly think I took that thing out of the water so fast nothing happened. Hopefully it'll stay working.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Blu33 said:
I used a air compresser on full blasted everything. Took battery out and everything and used that air. Lets see what happens. Strange thing is the white battery indicator didn't turn red. I honestly think I took that thing out of the water so fast nothing happened. Hopefully it'll stay working.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good idea. Chances are that there is still water inside, for that reason, I would suggest letting it dry for a couple days. It's completely up to you, but the water will only harm the electronics if the phone is actually on. It only takes one drop in the wrong spot and it's all over, know what I mean? And it has been mentioned before, but they will not cover it if you bring it in, because they will see it has been in water.

It may not fail now but it will fail on you when you need it the most. Corrosion is a mother.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

Android300ZX said:
It may not fail now but it will fail on you when you need it the most. Corrosion is a mother.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea its what I'm worried about. Buy f*** it taxes are comin lol
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Luvin your avatar.Go Giants. About the water thing let that mother dry alil. Compressed air has humidity in it also. Unless you have a inline dryer.

Indrid Cole said:
Luvin your avatar.Go Giants. About the water thing let that mother dry alil. Compressed air has humidity in it also. Unless you have a inline dryer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thnx . For sure I hope everything works out
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

This happened to me after I got home from my friends house. I was drunk and am tipsey now lol. Well I was soaking my feet in my bath tub and on the phone with my best friend and my phone fell and was submerged for a good 2-3 seconds but it did have a ballistic case on it. Immediately pulled it out took off the case pulled the battery sucked on every port to see if there was any water and left it on a radiator all night. Put battery in next day nothing was wrong.
Edit I asked him the next day I was like my phone fell in water and he's like no wonder you sounded so distant. I was like holy ****ing **** I was pissed at the time.
Blu33 said:
So yesterday after I got home drunk I showered and I got out. When I grabbed my phone to get out of bathroom it slipped out of my hand and fell in the pool of water. My phone was completely submerged in the water. So I instantly dropped everything rescuing my phone and it was dripping wet =-O... and you know what happened to it? NOTHING! I was sure my phone was history but nothing happend how is this possible???
I want to know if something like this has ever happened to someone. Have you ever broke your phone in any way and you were just like wtf just happened?
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GalaXy S ll [blazerV3] @ 1200x720

Blu33 said:
When I grabbed my phone to get out of bathroom it slipped out of my hand and fell in the pool of water.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it fell in the toliet?
I always make sure I have the the lid down, because I am paranoid about dropping stuff in the bowl!

Skizzaa said:
So it fell in the toliet?
I always make sure I have the the lid down, because I am paranoid about dropping stuff in the bowl!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All the water didn't go down in the tub yet so there was like a couple inches full of water
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

I been on sprint network ever since they came to Los Angeles... Idk 15 years. Had the Sanyo contractor grade flip phone... IM a plumber... Was running some copper pipe in a ditch and my Sanyo slipped from shirt pocket into a pool of water.... I swear I heard it make a couple of electrical short circuit hisses and Sparks just before I plucked her from the water. I took off the back cover and removed the battery. Then I placed the shop vacuum hose on the back of phone, plugged it in and let it suck it dry for 30 minutes. Then I left it on my hot auto dash for another hour. After that the phone powered on and worked well for two more years.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

I actually went swimming with my sgs1 vibrant and it still works but he screen is all fuzzy
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Even having your phone in your pocket on hot days can get moisture going inside your phone. I got my Nexus wet by a glass of spilled water and the camera stopped working. I immediately opened it up and let it dey out. Everything except the camera worked perfect. I finally (after a few months) took it to a repair store (I always insure my phones) and the tech replaced the camera and no go. He then showed me how the corrosion started spreading through the phone. Luckily he hooked me up and ordered me another one after seeing my Epic Touch otherwise I would have had to pay the deductible. Moral of the story...even be careful keeping your phone in your pockets if you think you may get sweaty. I have a velvet pouch I keep mine in now. Also squshy knows his stuff when it comes to care/repair of these devices.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

You need to carefully disassemble the phone if your unsure dont do it then dehumidfy your room as much as possible let it air dry and hope for the best dont wipe anything on the inside so as not to do more damage and hope for the best
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

[Q]Is this normal in Desire Z?

Check out my water sensor:
http://i.imgur.com/vrJJw.jpg
My phone was NEVER near water, is there any way to make it white again? Could this happen of air humidity (it was really hot today, I left it in my pocket for whole day).
I tried to clean it off but you know it won't work.

stranded.eu said:
Check out my water sensor:
http://i.imgur.com/vrJJw.jpg
My phone was NEVER near water, is there any way to make it white again? Could this happen of air humidity (it was really hot today, I left it in my pocket for whole day).
I tried to clean it off but you know it won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
High humidity such as in your pocket can seem like water damage with both the humidity + pressure. Not sure about cleaning it off, but rather actually letting it dry out, but I think the indicator is probably permanent.

someone once told me bleach works, or alcohal or something like that, not sure, never tried. I know you can buy new stickers off ebay... but if your not trading it in for warranty then it shouldn't matter what color it is
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium

demkantor said:
someone once told me bleach works, or alcohal or something like that, not sure, never tried. I know you can buy new stickers off ebay... but if your not trading it in for warranty then it shouldn't matter what color it is
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the phone works great but when it won't in future (I just assume it will brake soon lol) in theorey my warranty is gone.

stranded.eu said:
Yeah the phone works great but when it won't in future (I just assume it will brake soon lol) in theorey my warranty is gone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically your warranty is gone regardless of what you do to the sticker, as I bet you anything there's at least 2 more of those stickers inside of the device somewhere.

I think there are on 2 in theses phones, both visable without taking the case apart. there may be a third but I don't recall one. either way these phone are actually quite resilient, much more so then most phones. I feel the chance of them breaking before warranty ends is very slim... but whatever you want to do. just google "how to change water damage sticker color" or something to that effect. if you need to open your phone you can also get new void stickers... just saying
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium

demkantor said:
I think there are on 2 in theses phones, both visable without taking the case apart. there may be a third but I don't recall one. either way these phone are actually quite resilient, much more so then most phones. I feel the chance of them breaking before warranty ends is very slim... but whatever you want to do. just google "how to change water damage sticker color" or something to that effect. if you need to open your phone you can also get new void stickers... just saying
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless of course you're one of the lucky owners of the 'bad batch' of eMMC chips

[Q] Question about water damage

So my GS3 fell into the toilet last night at about 3am (totally freaked out) and immediately broke it down and put it in rice. Took it out after about 6 hours and it turns on, but the screen doesn't really work. It'll flicker and I couldn't answer a call. Anyways, I'm wondering if T-MO's insurance (Asurion) will cover it? The store isn't open yet and I wanna know like, now lol. If not, does Samsung have a manufacturers warranty or something? If they both cover it, which will cost me less and get me another phone faster?

Well you going to have to pay around 130 if you got insurance. But dropping your phone is totally your fault so ain't no way around paying that money
Sent from T mobile galaxy s3 (24mbs down) 4g network

Rice doesn't work btw. Use 90 percent or more rubbing alcohol as that drives out water. My brother went swimming with his one phone and I put it in rubbing alcohol for like 30 minutes and dried it using a hair dryer and it worked perfectly. Rubbing alcohol is non conductive so it doesn't short anything out plus it dries insanely fast.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

elesbb said:
Rice doesn't work btw. Use 90 percent or more rubbing alcohol as that drives out water. My brother went swimming with his one phone and I put it in rubbing alcohol for like 30 minutes and dried it using a hair dryer and it worked perfectly. Rubbing alcohol is non conductive so it doesn't short anything out plus it dries insanely fast.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had a lot of luck with both, but when I use rice I don't take it out after only six hours.. it's more of a twelve hour deal.

I used rice every time once swimming and once after the phone went into the washer with my pants.
And to clear up the blow dryer best not to put on any heat cause that may cause damage to the phone... so I've read.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

mt3g said:
I used rice every time once swimming and once after the phone went into the washer with my pants.
And to clear up the blow dryer best not to put on any heat cause that may cause damage to the phone... so I've read.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if you are using a blow dryer use "low" or "cool" as the setting.

I put in a claim and paid $130 for a replacement. Should arrive today. I put it back in the rice for another 12 hours or so and it works. It's not perfect, but it works pretty well. So far I've had a couple random reboots, the sounds chops up every once in a while (only notifications so far, not video/music/calls) and the flash usually flashes real quick when opening the camera app and sometimes instagram. If anyone is interested in buying it, let me know. T-Mo, blue, 16gb

beanboi said:
I put in a claim and paid $130 for a replacement. Should arrive today. I put it back in the rice for another 12 hours or so and it works. It's not perfect, but it works pretty well. So far I've had a couple random reboots, the sounds chops up every once in a while (only notifications so far, not video/music/calls) and the flash usually flashes real quick when opening the camera app and sometimes instagram. If anyone is interested in buying it, let me know. T-Mo, blue, 16gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will be blacklisted since you filed a claim.
Sent from my SGH-T999

You could part it out though. Digitizer, glass, Motherboard/USB, battery back for that guy the other day complaining about his.
Easily get back your $130 just by selling digitizer and glass.
Also, I've used distilled H2O as it is less corrosive. But since you got the new one, this is for anyone in the future that reads.

Woodrube said:
You could part it out though. Digitizer, glass, Motherboard/USB, battery back for that guy the other day complaining about his.
Easily get back your $130 just by selling digitizer and glass.
Also, I've used distilled H2O as it is less corrosive. But since you got the new one, this is for anyone in the future that reads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is also true. Most people are not aware you can separate the digitizer and the glass, so you can undercut everyone on eBay and still make a decent profit.
Sent from my SGH-T999

Woodrube said:
You could part it out though. Digitizer, glass, Motherboard/USB, battery back for that guy the other day complaining about his.
Easily get back your $130 just by selling digitizer and glass.
Also, I've used distilled H2O as it is less corrosive. But since you got the new one, this is for anyone in the future that reads.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
joshnichols189 said:
This is also true. Most people are not aware you can separate the digitizer and the glass, so you can undercut everyone on eBay and still make a decent profit.
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet. How would I go about separating everything? Also, how much would each piece go for? And does anybody know of anyone that wants to buy these parts?

beanboi said:
Sweet. How would I go about separating everything? Also, how much would each piece go for? And does anybody know of anyone that wants to buy these parts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought that there was a teardown floating around here but it might be on one of the other SGS3 variants. Anyways, you could probably YouTube it and find out.
Only advice I could give would be to have a single drink/smoke/chant/whatever to get your nerves calm and have a delicate touch/ The digitizer is extremely important. I once bought a Vibrant from a guy (I needed the motherboard) who was a little heavy handed and cracked it top-to-bottom with almost no effort.
Just check Ebay for prices and unfortunately you can't sell it here on in the forums, but you can sell it in the MarketPlace, if you have all the pre-reqs.
Good luck.