The Myth of Using Rice for Drying iPhones
Why You Shouldn't Put Your iPhone in Rice for Drying?: You might have often heard that if your phone falls into water or gets wet for any reason, you can dry it by placing it in raw rice.
Experts have been warning consumers for a long time that this advice is not beneficial.
Even the company manufacturing iPhones has issued a guide, informing users that this method could potentially harm their devices as tiny particles of rice can get stuck inside the phone.
Instead, it is recommended that users gently tap the phone to help the liquid come out, keep the phone connector facing downwards, and let it air dry.
While smartphones have advanced significantly in terms of technology, the methods to repair them when wet are particularly delicate.
The idea of using rice to dry phones seems to have originated from the world of photography.
According to the tech site DiWard, this method has been in use since the 1940s to preserve cameras and films from moisture.
However, experts have been indicating for years that while rice grains can absorb moisture, they don't have any significant effect on a wet phone. As soon as your phone gets wet, it begins to give a warning.
What Does Apple's Guide Say?
Apart from avoiding rice bags, Apple warns against using 'external heat sources or compressed air' to dry wet phones, meaning you should refrain from placing your phone near a heater or a hairdryer.
Additionally, attempts to dry it with cotton swabs or paper towels are not recommended either.
Instead, they advise placing the phone in a dry and airy place before reconnecting it to the charger.
Apple mentions in its guide that it may take up to 24 hours for the phone to completely dry.
As soon as your phone gets wet, it begins to give a warning, according to the guide, indicating that you should let the phone dry completely before using it again or reconnecting it to the charger.
As per the aide, "if you charge your iPhone and the Lightning or USB-C connector is wet, dampness might harm the connector or link, prompting super durable harm or causing it to stop working, which could result in connection issues with your iPhone or connected devices."
Apple advises those with older phones to be aware that rice-like remedies don't work.
The support documentation published on a website called MacWorld, where Apple's new support documents are published, suggests that it is expected that the resistance to water in future versions of iPhones will be increased.
All of Apple's devices starting from the iPhone 12 can withstand being submerged up to six meters for up to half an hour.
However, according to Apple, those with older phones should be aware that rice-like remedies don't work.