Apple officially warns users to stop putting wet iPhones in rice

Saving a wet iPhone by placing it in a bowl or bag of uncooked rice has been a popular rescue method for years, the logic being that the rice absorbs excess water from the phone. However, the iPhone god recently warned poor humans not to resort to rice in these situations, saying it could make things worse.

in Latest support documentApple said that placing wet devices in a bag of rice could “allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone,” though it didn't go into further detail. The company also recommended against using other known hacks, such as using an external heat source to dry the phone or sticking a cotton swab into the connector. Apple's latest tip was spotted by Macworld.

The company's warning about rice coincides with warnings from other repair experts, who found that… Rice penetration works slower Instead of just leaving your iPhone on the counter to dry. Time is crucial in these situations, as the most important thing is to prevent water from damaging the electronics inside the phone.

Instead of resorting to rice, Apple offers users an alternative solution. If your iPhone or charging connector is wet – in the latter case, an alert will appear and disable charging – Apple recommends the following:

• Disconnect the cable from your iPhone and disconnect the other end of the cable from the power adapter or accessory. Do not plug the cable back in until your iPhone and cable are completely dry.
• Gently squeeze your iPhone on your hand with the connector facing down to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone in a dry area with some air flow.
• After at least 30 minutes, try charging using a Lightning or USB-C cable, or connecting an accessory.
• If you see the alert again, it means there is still liquid in the connector or underneath the cable pins. Leave your iPhone in a dry area with some air flow for up to one day. You can try charging or plugging in the accessory again during this period. It may take up to 24 hours to dry completely.
• If your phone is dry but still won't charge, disconnect the cable from the adapter, unplug the adapter from the wall (if possible), then plug it back in.

If Apple's advice doesn't work, it's safe to say that you probably need help from professional repair experts and you may even need to prepare yourself to buy a new iPhone. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to reach for the rice.