Previous articleIn the smartphone Xiaomi got water – what to do right now: 7 steps to save the device

Getting liquid into a smartphone is one of the most common emergencies faced by Xiaomi owners, from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Even if your device is IP53 (splash protection) or IP68 (dust and moisture protection), it does not guarantee 100% safety when diving in water, ingesting sugary drinks or salty sea water, the main thing in this situation is to act quickly and correctly to minimize damage.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions on what to do if water hits Xiaomi, as well as deal with myths (for example, why you can not put your phone in rice) and tell you when to contact the service center. All recommendations are relevant for models from 2020-2026, including POCO, Black Shark and other Xiaomi sub-brands.

1.Immediate action: first 5 minutes after water hit

Your actions in the first minutes determine whether you can save your smartphone or it will turn into a brick. The critical window is 3-5 minutes: during this time, water manages to penetrate the board, oxidize the contacts and cause a short circuit.

Here's what we need to do right now:

• ⚡ Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if the screen is not responding!
• 🔌 Disconnect all cables (charging, headphones, memory cards). + electricity = short-circuit.
• 📱 Get it. SIM-The map and the tray, the water can accumulate under the seals.
• 🧻 Wet the visible moisture with a napkin or cloth without a pile. Don't rub, it can drive the water deeper.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone was on when water hit, don't press any buttons (even the power button). Each press can cause the circuit board to close. Just turn off the power and follow further instructions.

If water gets into a USB-C or 3.5mm connector (for headphones), gently tilt the phone with the connector down and shake it slightly to let the liquid leak out. Don't use a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner - airflow can drive water inside the case.

2. disassembling the phone: what can be done on your own

If you're confident, you can partially disassemble your phone to speed up drying, especially for non-removable battery models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or POCO F5), where moisture can stay inside for a long time.

You'll need to take this apart.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or guitar mediator (for lid slashing).
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (usually) T3 or T5 Xiaomi screws).
• 📦 Container for screws (to avoid losing).
• 🔍 Lupa (optional, to check the oxidation of contacts).

Step-by-step:

1. Remove the back cover (heating the edges with a hairdryer at minimum power or using a suction cup).Be careful - Xiaomi often has brittle plumes!
2. Unplug the battery (unplug the plume or unplug the contacts if you have experience) This is the most important step - without power, the risk of closure is minimal.
3. Check the charge for moisture. If you see corrosion (green or white), don't turn on your phone, you need professional cleaning.
4. Remove visible moisture with isopropyl alcohol (90%+) and a brush. Do not use vodka or medical alcohol!

⚠️ Warning: Disassembling the phone is not warranty if it is still valid. If your Xiaomi is warranty, you should take it to the service center immediately (even if it does not turn on.

3. Phone drying: myths and real methods

The most common myth is that rice dries, and in fact, rice absorbs moisture very slowly and can leave microparticles inside the case, which will then clog the connectors.

The best way to do this is:

1. Place your phone in a sealed silica gel container (the more packets, the better).
2. Place the container in a warm place (e.g., near the battery, but not in the direct sun!).
3. Do not turn on your phone for at least 48 hours, even if it seems dry.

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If you don't have silica gel on hand, use a silica gel-based cat filler (sold in pet stores) that absorbs moisture 10 times more efficiently than rice!

4. Checking the phone after drying: what to do next

After 48 hours of drying, you can start checking. Don't plug your phone into charging right away!

If the phone is not switched on:

• 🔋 Try charging it with a wireless charger (if supported). USB-C oxidized, and the coil of wireless charging remains working.
• 🔌 Connect to charging and see if the charging indicator appears (even if the screen is not turned on). If so, the problem may be in the display or plume.
• 📱 If the phone vibrates when charging is connected but does not turn on, the power board may have been damaged.

If the phone is switched on but is not working properly:

• 🎵 No sound? Check the speakers and the microphone -- water often accumulates under the speaker grid. Try blowing compressed air).
• 📸 Is the camera fogging or not focusing? It's a sign of moisture getting under the lenses. Don't clean yourself, contact the service.
• 🔄 Is the phone spontaneously rebooting? It's a sign of damage to the board.

⚠️ Warning: If after turning on the phone began to warm more than usual or there was a smell of burning, immediately turn it off and do not turn it on again!

5.When to contact the service center: signs of serious damage

Not all breakdowns after water intake can be repaired by yourself, here are the cases when you need to immediately take your phone to the service:

• 🔥 The phone does not turn on at all (no reaction to charging, buttons, wireless charging).
• 💧 Drops or condensation are visible under the screen (especially if the screen is visible). AMOLED — moisture can damage the matrix).
• 🔋 The battery is swelling (it's dangerous! Don't try to prick it!).
• 📡 No network or SIM-The card is not determined (an antenna module is damaged or the antenna module is damaged). SIM-tray).
• 🎯 The proximity sensor or gyroscope is not working (water may have damaged small components).

The service center will perform:

• 🛠️ Ultrasonic cleaning board (removes oxides and salt deposits).
• 🔧 Replacement of damaged components (chips, capacitors, plumes).
• 🔋 Diagnostics of the battery (bloated or damaged batteries are replaced).
• 💧 Checking of moisture-protective gaskets (on models with IP68 They may need to be replaced).

The cost of repair depends on the model and the degree of damage:

• Xiaomi Redmi (budget models): from 3000 to 8000 ₽.
• Xiaomi 12/13/14 series 8 000 before 15 000 ₽.
• POCO F/Black Shark (Gaming Smartphones): from 10 000 before 20 000 ₽ (because of the complex cooling system).

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If your Xiaomi is IP68 certified, it does NOT mean it will withstand immersion in water. Protection only works under certain conditions (fresh water, depths up to 1.5 m, no more than 30 minutes).

6 How to prevent water from entering the future

The best repair is prevention, here are some tips to minimize the risks:

• 🛡️ Use a sealed case with certification IP68 (for example, from Spigen or UAG).
• 🚿 Avoid using your phone in the bathroom, shower or in the rain (even if the model is waterproof).
• 🍹 Keep your phone away from drinks. Put it on a stand or in your pocket, not on the edge of the table.
• 🔋 Regularly check the waterproof gaskets (on models with the IP68). If they lose elasticity or break, replace them.
• 📱 For the beach or pool, use a waterproof package (such as DryCase).

If you are often in extreme conditions (fishing, hiking, working outdoors), consider buying Xiaomi with maximum protection.

• Xiaomi 13T Pro – IP68, can withstand immersion up to 1.5 m.
• POCO X5 Pro 5G – IP53 (splash protection)
• Black Shark 5 Pro - enhanced protection from moisture thanks to the gaming body.

Remember, even waterproof models require careful handling, and over time, rubber seals wear out, and the protection weakens.

7. Frequent questions about getting water into Xiaomi