Kroll Ontrack, a leading provider of data recovery services, has put together an interesting piece regarding some of the myths regarding smartphone use.
Kroll Ontrack regularly deals with scenarios where home remedies have either gone wrong and exacerbated a data loss or have actually made no difference in trying to get the data back, so I guide on how not to be stupid only seems natural. Below is eleven things you may have heard about your smartphone… but might not actually be true.
False!
Rice is often perceived as being able to draw liquid out of a device, which it actually cannot. Although this method will not further damage the device, it won’t solve the issue either.
True and false!
Sometimes, when an overheated device is put into the fridge for a short period, it may help to get the device working again -although this will depend on what is causing the device to overheat. You should never put a device in a freezer though as the humidity may cause further moisture damage. A much safer way of cooling a device is to put the device in front of a fan.
False!
A noisy device might indicate that the head is stuck or scratching the platter. If you hit a device while the platter is spinning you risk making the head crash further into the platter, worsening the damage.
False!
Some people treat wet devices like wet towels and try to dry them out in an airing cupboard. You cannot control the temperature within an airing cupboard; therefore the humidity in this environment may contribute further to the damage.
False!
Drying a device with hot air can cause direct heat damage to some of the components and soldering. The dryer may also force water further inside the device to areas previously undamaged.
False!
This technique may help drain some of the liquid out of the device but it will not solve the problem. Furthermore, on the liquids route out it may seep into areas it hadn’t reached before resulting in more damage.
True!
If water has reached deep into the device and shorted something, then turning it off is irrelevant. However, if the water has only reached the surface, then it is best to wait for the device to be completely dry in order not to risk short circuiting anything. Taking out the battery and not using a charger is crucial; one thing we all know is that mixing liquid with electricity is not a smart move.
True!
If you’re going to spill liquid over a device it’s best to steer clear of the fizzy stuff. These drinks can cause more damage than other liquids due to their sugary composition (which leaves components sticky) and their added chemicals (which cause corrosion).
True and false!
This method may help suck out some water from inside a device, however it’s not the most effective method nor will this “fix” the device.
True and false!
This is particularly true for older phones that use older battery models. However, for newer lithium ion batteries overcharging no longer affects their performance nor life expectancy.
False!
Fully charging (or not) a new battery doesn’t have any effect on the battery life of your device.
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