Apple Recommends Not Using Rice for Your Wet iPhone

One of the most widely shared tips on the internet for years about what to do if you drop your mobile phone in water is to place it in a bowl of rice.

For the first time, Apple has taken an official stance on this practice by updating its support page covering the water resistance of the iPhone 7 and later models. The company makes it clear that, contrary to popular myths, a wet iPhone should never be placed in a bowl of rice.

On the updated support page, Apple warns: “Avoid putting your iPhone in a bag of rice. This could allow tiny particles of rice to damage your device.”

Other things you should NOT do to your wet smartphone:

-Avoid drying your iPhone using external sources of heat or air.

-Do not insert a foreign object, such as a cotton bud or paper towel, into the connector.

If your phone or an accessory gets wet, Apple recommends first disconnecting the USB-C cable from the charging port and the other end of the cable from the power adapter or accessory. Avoid reconnecting the cable until both the iPhone and the cable are completely dry.

How to dry your iPhone according to Apple:

–Gently tap your iPhone against your hand with the connector facing downwards to remove excess liquid.

-Place your iPhone in a dry area with minimal airflow.

-Leave it for at least 30 minutes before trying to charge it with a Lightning or USB-C cable or connecting an accessory. If the alert appears again, it means there is still moisture in the cable.

-Leave your iPhone in a dry area with minimal airflow for up to 24 hours. Try charging it or connecting an accessory again during this time. It may take up to 24 hours to dry completely.

-If the phone does not charge after drying, disconnect the cable from the adapter and unplug the charger from the wall socket, then reconnect them. If you are unsure whether your iPhone's charging port is too wet, the phone itself will let you know. On devices with a Lightning cable, a message will inform you that charging is not possible because "liquid has been detected in the Lightning connector". On the iPhone 15 range, a full-screen warning may appear stating "Liquid detected in the USB-C connector. Disconnect the charging cable to prevent damage to your iPhone. Allow the connector to dry. This may take several hours."