Do not place your iPhone in rice when it falls into water

There are various myths in the world of consumer electronics. In fact, some of them are so common that their effectiveness has become unquestioned. One of the most popular is to place a wet phone in a jar, bag or container filled with rice. However, Apple underlines that putting the iPhone in rice does not work.

Research has proven time and time again that this method is a futile effort. Sources, including Apple, have made it clear that the rice drying trick does not work. Whether you have a new model like the iPhone 15 Pro or a model from a few years ago, it’s time to ditch this useless app.

Harms of drying your iPhone with rice

A support page published by Apple on the subject states, “Do not put your iPhone in a bag full of rice. Otherwise, small rice particles may damage your iPhone.” The statement is included. We also know from personal experience that rice is not a magic absorbent and will definitely not be enough to absorb water droplets from a phone’s speaker, SIM slot or charging port.

If you need scientific evidence, there’s plenty to show it doesn’t work. Device teardown reviewers such as iFixit have stated that there is no evidence that the brass method works and that it offers real solutions for your wet device.

“Rice has the problem of absorbing water without direct contact,” an analysis by XbitLabs found. It is said. Ten years ago, in 2014, TekDry, which provides emergency electronic device recovery services, warned users to stay away from the rice drying technique.

The scientific study involved simulated drying conditions extending over 48 hours, proving that rice was not only useless as a drying agent, but was also less effective than simply letting the device air dry naturally. However, neither method will completely dry the device.

Here are some methods that work:

• Do not use a microwave because metal parts inside electronic devices can cause fires or explosions.
• Use paper towels or cloth to dry the phone. Blotting away any visible moisture helps prevent water from penetrating deeper into the phone and causing additional damage.
• Do not charge your phone because electricity and water are not a good mix.
• Avoid using a hair dryer or oven. The heat from these devices can damage your phone’s sensitive components.
• Remove the battery if possible. Removing the battery reduces the risk of electricity reaching wet parts and reduces the possibility of permanent damage.
• If your phone falls into salt water, rinse it with fresh water. Salt water can cause corrosion and short circuits, so it is important to remove salt residue quickly.
• Turn off the phone as this can help prevent short circuits.

Apple’s advice on wet iPhones

Apple also provides various recommendations regarding wet iPhones on its relevant page:

1. Gently tap your iPhone with your hand, with the connector facing down, to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone in a dry, drafty place.
2. Wait at least 30 minutes, then try charging with a Lightning or USB-C cable or connecting an accessory.
3. If you see the warning again, there is still fluid in the connector or under the pins on your cable. Keep your iPhone in a dry, drafty place for about a day. During this time, you can try charging or connecting an accessory again. It may take up to 24 hours for the device to dry completely.
4. If your phone is dry but still not charging, unplug the cable from the adapter and unplug the adapter from the wall (if possible) and reconnect it.

A few things you shouldn’t do:

• Do not dry your iPhone using an external heat source or compressed air.
• Do not insert foreign objects such as cotton swabs or paper towels into the connector.
• Don’t put your iPhone in a bag full of rice. Otherwise, small rice particles may damage your iPhone.

Follow these tips and stop putting your iPhone in rice.