If you accidentally drop your iPhone in water, you might be tempted to put it in a bag of rice to dry it out. But Apple says that’s a bad idea.
According to Apple’s support page, rice can damage your iPhone because it can leave small particles inside the device. These particles can interfere with the connectors, ports, and buttons of your iPhone.
Instead of using rice, Apple recommends following these steps to save your wet iPhone:
- Unplug your iPhone and unplug the other end of the cable from the power adapter or accessory.
- Don’t plug the cable in again until the iPhone and the cable are completely dry.
- Remove excess liquids by tapping the iPhone gently against your hand with the connector facing down. Then leave it in a dry area with some airflow.
- After at least 30 minutes, try charging with a Lightning or USB-C cable or connecting an accessory.
- If you see the alert again, there is still liquid in the connector or under the pins of your cable. Leave the iPhone in a dry area with some airflow for up to a day. It might take up to 24 hours to fully dry.
- If the phone has dried out but still isn’t charging, unplug the cable from the adapter unplug the adapter from the wall (if possible), and then connect them again.
Apple also advises not to dry the iPhone using an external heat source or compressed air and not to insert a foreign object, such as a cotton swab or a paper towel, into the connector. These actions can cause more damage to the device.
It goes without saying that the advice applies to all smartphones, not just iPhones. So, the next time your phone gets wet, don’t reach for the rice. Follow Apple’s tips and hope for the best.
