The company cautioned that placing your device in a bag of rice “could potentially expose your iPhone to small particles of rice, which may cause damage.”
No matter how your phone gets wet – caught in a downpour, dropped in the bath, or submerged in a pool – the most well-known remedy is to place it in a bag of rice. The dry, absorbent rice is believed to draw out the moisture, saving your device. However, experts have been cautioning against this practice for years, and now Apple officially advises against it.
“Putting your iPhone in a bag of rice is not recommended. This could lead to small rice particles damaging your iPhone,” the company states in a recent support note reported by Macworld. In addition to the risk of damage, tests have shown that uncooked rice is not very effective at drying out the device.
The solution’s roots can be traced back to the history of photography: The Verge links the method as far back as 1946 as a means to preserve cameras. Over the years, anxious phone users have proposed risky methods, such as using a hair dryer or immersing the phone in alcohol. So, what is the recommended course of action?
Apple provides instructions for users who receive a “liquid detected” alert while attempting to charge their phones. First, unplug the charging cable from both ends. Then, gently tap the phone against your hand with the connector facing down to remove excess liquid. Allow it to dry for at least half an hour. If the phone and cable are completely dry, attempt to charge the device again. If it fails, try again after a day.
Apple’s updated support documentation includes two additional warnings for users whose phones have been soaked:
- “Do not attempt to 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.”
If your phone is not functioning at all, turn it off immediately and avoid pressing any buttons. The next steps depend on your specific situation, but generally: dry the phone with a towel and place it in an airtight container with silica packets if available. Do not attempt to charge it until you are certain it is dry. There are several more instructions for iPhones submerged in water that are worth remembering, as even though many modern phones are water-resistant, liquid accidents can still occur unexpectedly.