Got your phone wet? A YouTube video can remove the water, it seems

So, you’ve just dropped your phone in the sink — or maybe you’re one of those people who insist on taking their phone into the shower (no judgment, but why?). Don’t panic! Before you reach for the rice, there’s a surprising new solution that’s been making waves: YouTube videos. Yes, you read that right. A video with a low buzzing sound might just be your phone’s saving grace. But is it really that simple?

See, I’m the kind of person who does everything in my power to keep my phone as far away from water as possible. I’ve seen too many horror stories of phones being ruined by a simple splash. So, when I heard about a YouTube video that claimed to remove water from phone speakers, I was skeptical. But after tuning in to The Vergecast‘s latest podcast episode, I’ve gained a newfound appreciation for this unusual hack.

For those of you living on the edge, there’s a whole community out there that swears by these water-expulsion videos. The Vergecast co-host David Pierce explores this phenomenon in the latest episode, “Can a YouTube video really fix your wet phone?”, and let’s just say, the idea isn’t as outlandish as it sounds. Pierce mentions a popular YouTube video titled “Sound To Remove Water From Phone Speaker (GUARANTEED)” that has garnered over 45 million views (as of writing). Viewers have flooded the comments section with stories of how this simple video saved their waterlogged devices. They walk through rivers with their phones, use them in steamy showers, and drop them in all sorts of watery places, only to turn to these videos as a last-ditch effort. And surprisingly, many claim it works!

But before you start blasting low-frequency sounds at your soaked phone, let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t a miracle cure. The way these videos work is by vibrating the phone’s speaker, which can theoretically push water droplets out of the speaker grille. The Apple Watch uses a similar technique to eject water after a swim, so the science holds some weight. In tests, it was found that these videos do manage to eject some water immediately. But, and it’s a big but, they only seem to work on water trapped right next to the speaker.

In fact, if you’re an iPhone user, there’s a handy Siri shortcut that can help you out. It’s called the Water Eject shortcut, and it works similarly to those YouTube videos by playing a specific sound that vibrates the phone’s speaker, pushing water out. To use it, you simply need to add the shortcut to your iPhone and then ask Siri to “Water Eject.” It’s a nifty little trick that can be a lifesaver if you find yourself in a wet-phone situation. However, just like the YouTube videos, this method might only get water out of the speaker and not from other parts of the phone.

According to iFixit‘s Carsten Frauenheim and Shahram Mokhtari, who tested these videos on various phones, they do indeed help push some water out, but they’re not a complete solution. The water lurking under buttons, in the USB port, or near the SIM card slot? Those droplets are staying put. The video might give them a good shake, but it’s not going to suck them out like a vacuum. Essentially, it’s like trying to shake a jar of pickles out of the brine — sure, you’ll get some out, but there’s still a lot left in there.

So, what does this mean for you, the casual phone-showerer? Should you bookmark these videos just in case? Maybe. It’s clear they can help a little, but don’t expect them to be a foolproof solution. Your best bet is to keep your phone away from water as much as possible. I mean, do we really need to take our phones everywhere? Can’t we just, you know, enjoy the shower or the beach without checking our notifications?

Personally, I’m still hesitant to test this method on my own phone. I’d rather err on the side of caution and avoid any potential risks. But for those who are feeling adventurous, it might be worth a try if you find yourself in a sticky situation.

While it’s cool to know that a YouTube video might help your phone in a pinch, it’s probably better to play it safe. As much as we love our phones, they’re not meant to be swimming companions. So, let’s all do our phones a favor and keep them dry. But, if you do happen to take a plunge, at least you know there’s a buzzing YouTube video out there that might just help a little. And remember, as Pierce points out, the best advice might still be the simplest: keep your phone out of the shower.