How to do Water Eject on Android?

What is Water Eject?

Water Eject is a feature available on many Android phones that allows you to eject water from the charging port and speaker grille if the phone gets wet. When activated, the phone will vibrate rapidly and play a loud tone to force any water out of those openings and help dry the inside of the phone.

The Water Eject feature is designed specifically for situations where water may have gotten into the charging port or speaker. It utilizes vibration and sound to essentially “shake out” that water so it doesn’t remain trapped inside the phone.

Water Eject aims to remove moisture from the ports and crevices so that any internal water damage can be minimized. It is an important tool to use if your Android phone gets splashed, dropped in liquid, or exposed to water in any way.

When to Use Water Eject

The water eject feature on Android phones should only be used after the phone has gotten wet, such as after accidentally dropping it in water or getting caught in the rain. Water eject uses vibrations and sound to attempt to expel water from the phone’s speakers and charging port.

It’s important not to use water eject when your phone is already dry, as this can potentially damage the speakers. The high pitch sounds and vibrations are designed to force out water, not air. Using water eject on a dry phone risks damaging the speakers through unnecessary vibration.

The water eject feature should only be used as an emergency measure to attempt to remove water from a wet phone. It’s not meant as routine maintenance or to be used preemptively. Only activate water eject once your phone has gotten wet to try and remove any water from the ports and speakers. Using it improperly when the phone is already dry risks unnecessary wear and tear.

Locating the Water Eject Feature

The location of the water eject feature varies depending on your specific Android device model. Here are some of the most common locations to find it:

On many Samsung Galaxy models, you can press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously to activate water eject.

Some LG phones have a dedicated ‘QuickButton’ that can be double pressed to turn on water eject.

Select Sony Xperia phones have an ‘Assist’ key that you can long press to bring up water eject.

HTC and OnePlus devices may have you press and hold the volume up and down buttons together.

Always check your device’s manual to find the exact location of its water eject feature. The button combination to activate it is usually detailed there.

Activating Water Eject

To activate the Water Eject feature on most Samsung devices, you need to press and hold the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously for 7 seconds when the phone is powered off. This will trigger the Water Eject process which creates strong vibrations to push out any water in the speaker, microphone or charging port.

On newer models like the Galaxy S21 series, you can activate Water Eject by pressing and holding the Side key and Volume Down button together for 7 seconds when powered off.

For Samsung smartwatches, press and hold the Home and Power buttons for 7 seconds to start Water Eject.

Always make sure your phone is powered off before attempting to activate Water Eject. If it is powered on, you may accidentally trigger a factory reset or other unintended behavior with the button combinations.

What Happens During Water Eject

When the Water Eject feature is activated, the phone will emit a high-frequency sound and vibrate intensely for 30 seconds to eject any water in the speaker or charging port. This vibration and sound creates enough force to spray any trapped water out of the device. As this source notes, the phone will vibrate and make a loud screeching noise during the Water Eject process. It’s important to point the phone away from your face, as water may spray out of the speaker grill and charging port.

The high-pitched sound produced ranges from 17,000 to 20,000 Hz at full volume. This ultrasonic vibration pushes out the water, aided by the intense buzzing. Most people cannot hear sounds above 16-18,000 Hz, but the vibration will be clearly felt. The sound intensity and vibrations are strong enough to remove a few droplets or a large amount of water if submerged. Just be ready to point the phone away when activating Water Eject.

Drying the Charging Port

It is important to thoroughly dry the charging port after using Water Eject. Any remaining moisture in the port can lead to corrosion or additional water damage over time.

There are a few recommended methods to dry the charging port:

  • Use compressed air – Canned air designed for cleaning electronics can be sprayed into the charging port to quickly blow out any remaining liquid.
  • Blot with a towel – Use a dry, lint-free towel or cloth to gently blot any visible moisture in the charging port. Be careful not to push any material further into the port.
  • Let air dry – Leaving the phone’s charging port open in dry, warm air will allow any lingering moisture to evaporate.

Thoroughly drying the charging port after Water Eject will help prevent any long-term water damage issues with the phone.

When to Avoid Using Water Eject

While water eject can be an effective way to remove water from your phone’s ports and speakers, there are some situations where you’ll want to avoid using it.

First, don’t use water eject if your phone already appears to be dry. Forcing high frequency vibrations through the speakers when no water is present could potentially cause damage. Only use water eject right after getting your phone wet.

Additionally, be cautious using water eject if your phone was exposed to polluted or soapy water. The vibrations could potentially push some debris or soap further into small crevices inside your phone, causing more harm than good. In these cases, it may be safer to allow your phone to air dry.

In general, avoid overusing water eject or running it for long periods of time. Only use it for very short bursts right after water exposure to gently shake water out of openings. Extended use of high frequency vibrations could wear down phone components.

Finally, if your phone was fully submerged, especially in salt water, it’s recommended to turn it off and take it to a repair shop. Water eject is only intended for minor splashes.

Alternatives to Water Eject

While the Water Eject feature is convenient for quickly removing water from your phone’s charging port, there are some alternative methods you can try:

Let the port dry naturally – If your phone just got lightly splashed or dampened, you can simply let the charging port air dry on its own. Make sure to thoroughly wipe away any visible moisture with a dry cloth or tissue first. Then allow your phone to sit with the port facing downwards so gravity can help drain out any remaining water as it evaporates.

Use wireless charging – If your phone supports wireless charging, you can charge your phone that way while allowing the port to naturally dry out over time. Place your phone on a wireless charging pad or dock to power your device until you can confirm the charging port is fully dry.

While these passive drying methods may take longer than using Water Eject, they avoid actively forcing air into the port which could push water deeper inside. Patience may be the safest solution if you only need to dry a small amount of moisture.

Water Damage Precautions

It is important to take precautions when dealing with water damage to an Android phone in order to prevent further issues.

First, you should immediately turn off the phone if it gets wet or encounters liquids. Having the phone powered on can lead to short circuiting which can permanently damage the device. Turning it off helps minimize any potential damage.

You should also refrain from charging or using a water damaged phone until it has fully dried out. Attempting to charge or turn on a wet phone risks short circuiting and electrical damage.

If the phone was fully submerged or will not turn back on after drying, it is best to take it to a professional phone repair shop. They have the proper tools and techniques to fully dry out the phone and inspect for damage. DIY methods are not recommended for phones that won’t power back on.

According to this guide, you should never try to turn on a water damaged phone until it’s fully dried out. Letting professionals handle water damaged devices that won’t power on can significantly increase the chances of saving the phone.

Summary

In summary, the Water Eject feature on Android phones provides a quick and easy way to eject water from the charging port after accidental water exposure. It rapidly vibrates the phone to shake out any water in the port. However, it’s important to understand Water Eject is meant for ejecting water only, not thoroughly drying out the port. Using it excessively in an attempt to dry could potentially damage the port.

Water Eject should only be used sparingly if needed to eject visible water from the charging port. It’s not meant as a fix for extensive water damage. Make sure to take proper precautions like immediately powering down and drying the phone if it gets wet. Only use Water Eject for its intended purpose – quick water ejection from the charging port. Overusing it or attempting to dry with it could cause harm. With proper care, Water Eject can be a useful tool for minor wetness in the port.

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