Apple support documents debunk popular myth: Don’t put your wet phone in a bag of rice

Does Putting your Wet Phone in Rice Actually Work?

Getting water on phones happens to the best of us. For years, uncooked rice has been suggested as the go-to household staple to draw out that liquid and save our precious phones. However, recent guidance from tech giant Apple placed doubt on this advice, explicitly advising against employing rice as a solution, as it may introduce small particles that could damage your iPhone.

Apple Support Warns Against Using Rice

The Apple support documents clearly state, “Don’t put your iPhone in a bag of rice. Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.” So, contrary to the longstanding popular belief, rice might not be as effective as once thought. This professional advice straight from Apple aims to dispel this myth.

This information has been initially reported by Macworld, and it primarily addresses how to handle the liquid detection alert on your iPhone. Apple guidelines suggest avoiding external heat sources like hair dryers or compressed air to remove liquid. Additionally, inserting cotton swabs or paper towels into charging ports is not recommended.

Apple’s Recommended Approach

According to Apple, the preferred method to handle a wet iPhone is to gently tap the phone against your hand, ensuring the connector is pointing downwards. This method is akin to removing water from your ears after swimming. After tapping, your phone should be placed in an area with good airflow for drying, and it is advisable to wait for at least 30 minutes before attempting to charge it. If the liquid detection alert persists, it is important to exercise patience and wait for it to dry, which might take up to 24 hours. If the phone is dry and still not charging, unplugging and reconnecting the charging cable is recommended.

The Truth About Rice

Although popular wisdom has suggested placing waterlogged electronics in uncooked rice, it appears that rice itself is not significantly absorbent. The key to saving water-damaged devices is typically the time spent switched off and away from any power source. The idea of using rice has often kept phones hidden and out of mind, preventing owners from turning on the device prematurely, which could exacerbate the damage.

A 2015 article from The Verge further discredits the rice myth, stating that uncooked rice is not particularly absorbent and that it is the prolonged drying time that actually helps. By keeping phones out of sight in bags of rice, individuals are less tempted to power them on prematurely.