Don’t Use Rice to Dry Wet iPhones, Apple Advises
We’ve all been there – the heart-stopping moment when your beloved iPhone takes an unexpected plunge into water. Panic sets in as you desperately search for a solution to save your precious device. And if you turn to the internet for help, chances are you’ll come across the age-old advice of using uncooked rice to draw out the moisture. However, Apple is here to debunk this popular myth and provide us with some much-needed guidance.
In a surprising turn of events, Apple, like most tech support experts, explicitly advises against using rice to dry your wet iPhone. According to Apple’s support documents, putting your iPhone in a bag of rice could potentially cause more harm than good. The documents, first spotted by Macworld, address what to do when you receive the dreaded liquid detection alert on your iPhone.
But why does Apple discourage the use of rice? Well, it turns out that small particles of rice can actually damage your iPhone. So, instead of relying on this household staple, Apple suggests a different approach to tackle the issue. They recommend avoiding external heat sources such as hair dryers or compressed air, as well as inserting cotton swabs or paper towels into charging ports.
Instead, Apple advises tapping your phone against your hand with the connector pointing down. This technique is similar to getting water out of your ear after swimming. Afterward, simply leave your phone in an area with good airflow and allow it to dry naturally for about 30 minutes. If the liquid detection alert persists, don’t panic – just be patient. It can take up to 24 hours for your device to completely dry.
If you find that your phone is dry but still not charging, Apple suggests unplugging the charging cable and reconnecting it. This simple step might just do the trick and get your iPhone back up and running.
For years, rice has been hailed as the go-to solution for drying out waterlogged electronics. People believed that rice, being a desiccant, would draw out the excess moisture. However, as The Verge pointed out back in 2015, uncooked rice isn’t very absorbent. So, it seems that the key to saving your wet iPhone lies in giving it ample time to dry out, rather than relying on the rice itself.
Interestingly, one of the reasons why rice became so popular as a drying method is that it keeps the phone out of sight and out of mind. When we place our devices in a bag of rice, we are less tempted to power them on prematurely. This allows the phone to dry thoroughly without any additional damage caused by turning it on too soon.
So, the next time your iPhone takes an unexpected dive into water, remember Apple’s advice: skip the rice and opt for a more natural drying process. Give your device time to air dry, tap it gently to remove excess water, and be patient. With a little luck and some patience, your iPhone might just make a full recovery.