Apple Issues Official Warning Against Placing Wet iPhones in Rice

If you are a regular iPhone user and have ever accidentally submerged it in water, you’ve likely encountered a tip suggesting a remedy involves placing the wet iPhone in a bowl or bag of uncooked rice. The idea is that the rice absorbs the surplus water from the phone.

Now Apple has officially come out to say that this may not be a good idea. According to a recent support document, Apple warns against the practice of placing wet devices in a bag of rice, as it could potentially “allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone,” although specific details are not provided. The company also advises against employing other commonly known hacks, including using an external heat source for drying the phone or inserting a cotton swab into the connector.

Instead of resorting to rice, Apple offers users an alternative solution. If your iPhone or charging connector becomes wet—triggering an alert that disables charging—Apple suggests the following steps:

• Unplug the cable from your iPhone and unplug the other end of the cable from the power adapter or accessory. Don’t plug the cable in again until your iPhone and the cable are completely dry.
• Tap your iPhone gently against your hand with the connector facing down to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone 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 your iPhone in a dry area with some airflow for up to a day. You can try again to charge or connect an accessory throughout this period. It might take up to 24 hours to fully dry.
• If your phone has dried out but still isn’t charging, unplug the cable from the adapter and unplug the adapter from the wall (if possible) and then connect them again.

If Apple’s guidance proves ineffective, it’s advisable to seek assistance from professional repair experts, and you might need to consider the possibility of purchasing a new iPhone. Whatever action you take, refrain from resorting to the use of rice.