Accidentally getting your phone wet is a common mishap, and many of us turn to household remedies for a quick fix. One popular suggestion circulating on the internet is to immerse the wet phone in uncooked rice, believed to draw out the moisture and salvage the device. However, Apple, along with most tech support experts, advises against this method.
According to Apple support documents recently highlighted by Macworld, placing an iPhone in a bag of rice could potentially introduce tiny rice particles that might harm the device. These guidelines specifically address what to do when your iPhone triggers a liquid detection alert, aiming to debunk a persistent myth rather than perpetuate it.
Instead of rice, Apple recommends a different approach. If your iPhone gets wet, avoid using heat sources like hair dryers or compressed air, and refrain from inserting cotton swabs or paper towels into the charging ports. Instead, gently tap the phone against your hand with the charging port facing downward, similar to clearing water from your ear after swimming.
Then, allow the phone to air dry in a well-ventilated area for at least 30 minutes before attempting to charge it. If the liquid detection alert persists, leave the phone untouched for up to 24 hours to ensure thorough drying.
For years, rice has been touted as a solution to expedite the drying process of waterlogged electronics. However, it turns out that rice isn’t particularly absorbent, and the effectiveness of the method lies more in allowing the device to dry out over time rather than the rice itself. In fact, leaving the phone in a bag of rice might simply keep it out of sight, preventing users from prematurely attempting to power it on.
As The Verge pointed out back in 2015, the key to saving a wet phone is often the period of powered-down rest rather than any magical properties of rice. So next time your phone takes an unexpected dive, skip the rice and follow Apple’s recommendations for a better chance at a successful recovery.
