You sit in a chair facing the ocean with your toes curled in the sand. The ocean breeze warm on your face.
Waves lap on the shore like a mantra. You feel at peace. You pull out your favorite summer read from your purse. You leaf through the pages until the end of the chapter.
The day couldn’t be more relaxing. Then you notice your brand new smartphone lying in the sand. You freak out, thinking about how to get sand out of your phone.
Here are some tips to keep your phone safe at the beach.
How to Protect Your Phone from Sand
According to the Miami Herald, two smartphone screens break each second? While your phone case can protect your phone from damage, it doesn’t protect against sand and other debris from getting into your phone.
If you’re packing up for a fun day at the beach, add an extra step and make sure your phone is secure and safe from debris. Besides all of the sand, the wind can be a huge problem at the beach.
The wind blows sand and other debris around in the air, which can get into your phone. To keep your phone safe, follow these tips.
Use a Sandwich bag
One easy way to keep your phone safe from sand is to place it in the sandwich baggie. The great thing about this option is that your phone’s touchscreen will still be operational while in the bag.
You don’t have to worry about sand getting into your phone, and you can still check out your favorite apps while listening to the waves.
Invest In a Waterproof Case
If you live in a beach town and spend every waking moment at the beach, you may want to invest in a waterproof case. These are ideal for the everyday beachgoers and will keep your phone safe from water, sand, and other debris.
While it can be costly, so is paying for a new phone. Consider which is cheaper and save yourself the hassle in the long run. No one likes to spend all day at the phone store waiting for service and trying to get your old pictures and files back.
Save your time and the hassle and purchase a waterproof case.
Use a Peanut Butter Jar
If you don’t like the feeling of using your phone through a bag or paying for expensive waterproof cases, you can use a cleaned out peanut butter jar. Most bigger jars can hold a cell phone or two, a set of keys, and even a portable charger.
Open the jar whenever you need your phone and then place it back in and screw back on the lid for a safe space on the beach.
How to Get Sand Out of Your Phone
If you’re reading this now, it’s because you have sand in your phone. No worries. You can always use the tips above for your next outing to the beach.
If you notice that you have brought home a little more than you bargained for at the beach, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Here are three simple ways how to get rid of sand in your phone.
1. Use Compressed Air
One thing is certain: cell phones and sand don’t mix. While it can be a hassle, it doesn’t have to ruin your day.
One quick and simple way to remove sand or other debris from your phone is to use a compressed air canister. You can find compressed air canisters at your local Radio Shack or Best Buy.
Here are the steps to clean a sandy phone:
- Turn off your phone first.
- Read the instructions on your compressed air canister and attach the nozzle to reach small crevices.
- Aim your compressed air canister at the phone and hit it with a few quick sprays.
How to remove debris from the charging port:
- Aim your compressed air canister on an angle, and spray into the charging port several times.
- You may have to use multiple angles to get the sand out.
2. Use a Vacuum Cleaner
After you use the compressed air canister to remove sand from the phone use a vacuum to suck out any other stubborn debris that could still be in the phone.
Here’s how to use a vacuum cleaner to remove debris from your phone:
- Turn off your phone.
- Attach the crevice tool on your vacuum.
- Place your crevice tool by the charging port or another part of the phone.
- Turn on the vacuum and suck out any debris.
3. Use a Paper Clip
Once you have used the compressed air canister and the vacuum, your last step is to use a small paper clip to remove the last parts of stubborn sand left over. Simple yet effective, this will help get the last remaining debris your compressed air canister and vacuum may have missed.
Think of the first to options as macro solutions and this one as a micro solution. Here is how to use a paper clip to remove sand from your phone:
- Turn off your phone.
- Open up your paper clip keeping one side still folded.
- Wrap scotch tape around the paperclip with the sticky side facing out.
- Use your paperclip to remove any last bits of debris.
Don’t Let Sand Ruin Your Day
Getting sand in phone cases doesn’t have to ruin your day. Sure, it’s an inconvenience, but as you can see, it is an easy fix. Now that you know how to get sand out of your phone, we bet you’ll be making plans for the beach.
If you still need professional help for the hardware of your phone after using these steps, we’ve got you covered.
Remember some of our earlier tips to save you the hassle. If you found this article helpful, please check out our blog for more tips to help you with your technology needs.
