Apple advises against rice drying method for wet iPhones; alternatives.
2 min readThe company cautioned that placing your device in rice may lead to iPhone damage from rice particles.
Regardless of how your phone gets wet – whether it’s from a downpour, a bath drop, or a pool mishap – the go-to folk remedy often involves placing the device in a bag of rice. The idea is that the dry, absorbent rice will draw out the moisture, potentially saving your device. However, experts have long warned against this method, and now Apple officially advises against it.
In a recent support note noticed by Macworld, the company explicitly states, “Avoid putting your iPhone in a bag of rice. This could result in small rice particles causing damage to your iPhone.” Additionally, testing has indicated that uncooked rice isn’t particularly effective at drying out the device.
The solution’s roots can be traced back to the history of photography, with the Verge linking the method back to as early as 1946 for camera maintenance. Over the years, frantic phone users have proposed various risky methods, from using a hair dryer to immersing the phone in alcohol. What is the recommended course of action?
Apple provides instructions for users encountering a “liquid detected” alert while attempting to charge their phones. Begin by disconnecting the charging cable from both ends. Next, gently tap the phone with the connector facing downward to remove any excess liquid. Allow the device to dry for at least thirty minutes. Afterwards, if both the phone and cable are completely dry, attempt to charge the device again. If the initial attempt fails, try again after a day.
Apple’s updated support documentation issues two additional cautions if your phone becomes soaked:
- “Avoid using an external heat source or compressed air to dry your iPhone.”
- “Avoid inserting foreign objects, such as cotton swabs or paper towels, into the connector.”
If your phone becomes unresponsive, immediately power it off and refrain from pressing any buttons. Subsequent actions should be tailored to your situation, but generally: dry the phone with a towel and place it in a sealed container along with silica gel packets if available. Refrain from charging it until it is completely dry. Additionally, there are specific instructions for dealing with iPhones submerged in water that are worth remembering. Despite many modern phones being water-resistant, liquid accidents can still catch you off guard.