Power off, remove components, and dry with silica gel

Turn the phone off immediately (or leave it off) and remove it from the liquid. Take out the SIM tray, SD card, and battery if removable. Pat the exterior dry with a microfiber cloth, paying attention to ports and openings.

Steps

1. Power off the phone and do not attempt to charge it. Short circuits from active power cause most water damage.
2. Remove the case, SIM tray, and SD card. If the battery is removable, take it out.
3. Pat dry the exterior with a soft, lint-free cloth. Dab around ports carefully.
4. Place the phone in an airtight container filled with silica gel packets for 48-72 hours. Silica gel is a proven desiccant far more effective than rice.
5. After 48-72 hours, reassemble and try powering on. If it works, back up your data immediately.

Tips

• Do not use rice. Studies and repair professionals have confirmed rice is ineffective and can leave starch dust in ports.
• Silica gel packets are cheap and available online or saved from product packaging.
• Most modern phones have IP67/IP68 water resistance ratings, which helps with brief submersion but does not guarantee survival -- especially with port exposure or cracked screens.
• If the phone does not power on after drying, seek professional repair before assuming it is dead.