Apple Warns Against Using Rice to Dry Wet iPhones
If you’ve ever dropped your beloved iPhone in water, you have probably heard the age-old advice to place it in a bag of rice to help it dry out. But according to Apple, this common fix may actually be dangerous and could damage your device.
In an article on its support site, Apple explicitly advises against putting an iPhone in a bag of rice as it could result in small particles of rice lodged inside the device and causing damage. Instead, the tech giant suggests allowing the phone to dry on its own.
This warning comes from Apple’s page about its “liquid-detection alert,” which has been appearing on iPhones since the release of the XS and XR models. If the alert shows up, it means that liquid has been detected and charging will be disabled as a precautionary measure. The main purpose of this alert is to inform users that charging a wet device can potentially damage both the device itself and any connected accessories.
Apple’s recommended course of action for users with wet iPhones is to immediately unplug the device from any cables and disconnect the other end of the cable as well. The device should not be plugged back in until it is completely dry. However, Apple does provide an option to override this in emergency situations.
Alongside the rice warning, Apple also cautions against using external heat sources or compressed air to dry the device. Inserting foreign objects, like cotton swabs or paper towels, into the device’s connector is also strongly advised against.
Instead, Apple suggests tapping the device gently against the hand to allow any excess liquid to come out. After that, the device should be placed in a dry area with sufficient airflow and left alone for at least 30 minutes. Apple recommends attempting to charge the device again after this period. If the liquid-detection alert still appears, it indicates that the device might still be wet and further drying time is required.
Apple acknowledges that the wet device warning may occasionally appear on devices that have not actually been exposed to liquid. In such cases, the device or accessory may be faulty, and Apple advises reaching out to the manufacturer for assistance.
Analyst comment
Neutral news. Apple warns against using rice to dry wet iPhones, stating that it could cause damage. Instead, Apple recommends allowing the phone to dry on its own. No significant impact on the market is expected.
