Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Culture

Forget rice: This is how to actually fix a wet iPhone, according to Apple

Have a wet iPhone? This is how you fix it

By
Various iPhones on a table.
Ameen ALmayuf / Unsplash

The world is full of precarious situations for our unsuspecting smartphones, particularly when it comes to water exposure. Whether it’s a sudden downpour during a hike, an accidental drop into a sink, or a plunge into a lake, our iPhones are constantly at risk of water damage. While most models are water-resistant, none of them are completely waterproof.

Understanding this vulnerability, Apple has put forward a series of recommendations to mitigate the damage when your device encounters mishaps like these. Apple’s guidelines are crucial for iPhone users, providing a lifeline for your device in what can often be a moment of panic and uncertainty.

Recommended Videos

For years, the go-to remedy has been submerging the device in rice, but Apple has recently dispelled this myth. While it might not look like it, there are actually tons of little particles in rice that could get lodged into your phone. Don’t believe me? Try rinsing your rice, and notice that the water becomes milky white. All of these little particles can get stuck in the crevices of your phone, which could cause all kinds of issues.

Related

Apple offers a more effective and safer method to rescue your water-damaged iPhone.

A person taking a picture of the beautiful environment
Emilia / Adobe Stock

How to get water out of an iPhone

  1. Immediate response: As soon as you retrieve your wet iPhone, the first step is to unplug any cables. Apple stresses the importance of not charging the device until it is completely dry to avoid further damage. Your iPhone may also have a liquid detection feature, which will alert you if your phone is too wet to charge.
  2. Remove excess liquid: Gently tap your iPhone against your hand with the Lightning or USB-C connector facing downwards. This action helps in removing some of the trapped liquid from the device’s interior.
  3. Air dry in a safe environment: Place your iPhone in a dry area with good airflow. This could be near an open window or in an airy room. The key is to let the natural air flow do the work rather than applying external heat or pressure.
  4. Wait before charging: After waiting for at least 30 minutes, you can attempt to charge your iPhone. However, if the liquid detection alert persists, it indicates that the device needs more drying time. In such cases, it’s advised to wait up to 24 hours before trying to charge again.

If you want your iPhone to last longer and preserve its functionality, use Apple’s guidance. By avoiding unorthodox drying methods like the rice trick, users can prevent additional damage that might not be immediately visible but could cause long-term issues.

In the case of a wet iPhone, Apple’s advice is clear: skip the rice and opt for a method that’s safer and more effective. Remember, patience and proper care are your best allies in saving your water-damaged iPhone.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Sarah Joseph
Sarah Joseph
Contributor
Sarah is a lover of all things outdoors. With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, she is always…
The reviews are in for Furiosa, and critics say it’s a ‘visceral triumph’
Is Furiosa worth seeing in theaters?
Anya Taylor-Joy in Furiosa.

Almost a decade after director George Miller last ventured into the wasteland with Mad Max: Fury Road, the director is back with Furiosa. An explicit prequel to Fury Road, Furiosa stars Anya Taylor-Joy as the titular character, who was played by Charlize Theron in Fury Road. While plot details are still somewhat scarce, we know that the movie is set 15 years before the events of Fury Road, and that it co-stars Chris Hemsworth as a warlord named Dementus.

The movie is set to hit theaters on May 24, and in advance of its release, we're starting to get a sense of its critical response. While formal reviews have not yet been published, social media responses are now live, and they're overwhelmingly positive.
Let's dive deep into the social media reaction to Furiosa
FURIOSA : A MAD MAX SAGA | OFFICIAL TRAILER #1

Read more
Will Justified: City Primeval season 2 happen?
Everything we know so far about Justified: City Primeval season 2
Timothy Olyphant in Justified: City Primeval.

Last year, Timothy Olyphant reprised his role as U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens in Justified: City Primeval, one of the best shows on FX and Hulu in 2023. The eight-episode miniseries was a follow-up to Justified, which ran for six seasons on FX from 2010 to 2015. While Justified was based on Elmore Leonard's Fire in the Hole, City Primeval was based on a separate story by Leonard that didn't originally feature Raylan. It was reworked for television as a Justified sequel with Raylan as the main character.

Following the conclusion of the miniseries, fans have been asking about Justified: City Primeval season 2, especially since the ending leaves the door wide open for a major reunion from Justified. But don't get too excited just yet. We're sharing everything we know about Justified: City Primeval season 2, and it's not all good news. But the early word is at least encouraging.
Has Justified: City Primeval been renewed for season 2?

Read more
Everything we know about the Peaky Blinders movie
Peaky Blinders Hats

(From left) Joe Cole, Cillian Murphy, and Paul Anderson in "Peaky Blinders." Courtesy of Netflix / Netflix

Now that Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy is also an Oscar winner, it's safe to say that the show's profile has never been higher. The show's run ended in 2022 after six seasons, telling the story of a crime family that emerges after World War I in Birmingham, England, and it's one of the best shows on Netflix. Murphy starred as Tommy Shelby, the leader of the family, and was joined by an ensemble cast that included Paul Anderson,  Helen McCrory, Finn Cole, Sophie Rundle, Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy, among many others.

Read more