Exposure to water can potentially damage your smartwatch, affecting its functionality and longevity.
Prompt and appropriate action is, therefore, crucial to minimize damage to a smatwatch. The best methods to effectively dry your smartwatch after it has been exposed to water are discussed below.
Power Off Immediately
Turn the smartwatch off: As soon as your smartwatch gets wet, power it off to prevent electrical short circuits within the internal unit or compact unit of the smartwatch.
Dry the Smartwatch using a cloth
This is the simplest, yet most effective step to dry the smartwatch. Using a soft lint-free cloth should be used to wipe the smartwatch to remove visible water droplets from the surface and screen of the smartwatch.
We do suggest avoiding Abrasive Materials to dry the watch. Some of these would include rough fabrics as they can scratch the screen and damage the device.
Remove Moisture from Ports and Openings
Another safe upkeep measure to dry a wet smartwatch would be to remove moisture from the ports and openings of the smartwatch. You could use a Soft Brush or toothpick to remove water from small openings without causing damage.
You could also gently shake the watch to ward off the water droplets.
Absorb Internal Moisture
The basic steps for removing internal moisture from a smartwatch would include:
Silica Gel Packs
You can place your smartwatch in an airtight container or a sealable plastic bag with several silica gel packets. Silica gel is highly effective at absorbing moisture. Leave the smartwatch sealed for at least 24-48 hours to ensure thorough drying.
Uncooked Rice
If silica gel packs are unavailable, place the smartwatch in a container filled with uncooked rice. Rice can help absorb moisture, though it is less effective than silica gel.
Allow Time to Dry Naturally
Depending on the extent of water exposure, drying may take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Avoid the temptation to turn the device back on prematurely.
Although most people prefer to dry the watch quickly, allowing natural time for drying and removing moisture from the smartwatch is an intelligent alternative.
Professional Assistance (if Needed)
If the smartwatch exhibits malfunctions after following the drying steps, it may indicate internal damage or compromised seals. In such cases of smartwatch malfunctions post-drying, we suggest taking the following steps:
If you have an in-warranty smartwatch, contact the manufacturer. Smartwatch manufacturers like Garmin and Apple have built a solid reputation in serving in-warranty smartwatches.
For out of warranty smartwatches, it may be a useful idea to contact 3rd party service providers. They would be able to offer assistance in resolving smartwatch malfunctions after exposure to water.