Quick answer
Take the phone out, power it off, remove the case and SIM, pat it dry and do not charge it. Skip the rice and the hair dryer. Let it air-dry in a ventilated spot and bring it to a repair shop as soon as you can, because corrosion starts quickly.
What are the first five minutes?
- Get the phone out of the water immediately.
- Power it off and do not press buttons to test it.
- Remove the case, SIM tray and any accessories.
- Pat the outside dry with a soft cloth.
- Do not plug it in to charge.
What should you avoid?
- Rice. It does not pull moisture out reliably and small grains can end up in the ports.
- Hair dryers and heat. Heat can damage the battery and adhesives.
- Shaking the phone or blowing air into the ports.
- Charging it "to see if it still works".
Why is speed important?
Liquid on a circuit board starts corrosion within hours, and corrosion is what kills water-damaged phones days later. The sooner a technician opens the phone, cleans the board and tests the parts, the better the chances.
What if it was salt water or a sugary drink?
Salt water, soda, juice and other sticky liquids are harder on electronics than fresh water. Do not wait: bring the phone in right away and tell the technician what it was.