Is your iPhone soaked? You will probably want to use the rice bowl technique to absorb excess water. However, this practice is not recommended by Apple.
When you almost always have your smartphone with you, an accident can happen so quickly near a water source. And, although today’s models are very resistant, the presence of liquid inside can prevent them from functioning properly. Many think the best method to absorb water is to submerge their iPhone in a bowl of dry rice. This practice, elevated to the rank of grandmother’s remedies in a tech version, is formally discouraged by Apple.
As spotted by MacWorld in an article published on February 20, 2024, the Cupertino company writes in black and white on an official page: “ Do not put your iPhone in a bag of rice, as small particles of this grass could damage your device. » The fact that Apple mentions “the rice bowl method” confirms that many people tend to apply it thinking they are doing the right thing. On YouTube, you can actually find widely viewed videos extolling its merits, while others proscribe it.
Stop plunging your wet iPhone into a bowl of rice
Apple is not the only legitimate company to advise against using dry rice to “save” a wet smartphone. Quoted by USA Today, Craig Beinecke, co-founder of TekDry (a company that saves phones from drowning), says: “ We did a study and using rice is actually slower than just leaving your phone on the table. And, in reality, neither method is fast enough. After 48 hours in the rice, only 13% of the water has been absorbed from the phone. » The risk of corrosion therefore remains present. The effectiveness of rice may well be an urban legend.
Apple does not only recommend against the use of rice, but also of an external heat source (such as a hair dryer) or the insertion of a foreign element into the Lightning or USB-C connector (cotton swab, paper towel…).
But, then, what should you do to expel water from your iPhone? Apple recommends:
- “ Tap it with the connector facing down to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone in a dry, well-ventilated place. »
- “ Wait at least 30 minutes, then try charging your device using a Lightning or USB-C cable. »
Apple specifies that if the problem persists (the screen displays that liquid is detected when you want to recharge the iPhone), then you will have to wait a few more hours. “ It may take up to 24 hours for the moisture to disappear “, we can read. If your smartphone has really taken a big dive, do not hesitate to call a repairer if you fear irreversible damage. But certainly not a repairman called Uncle Ben’s.
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