Credit: Ben Stegner/MakeUseOf

It’s one of the longest-running bits of tech advice: you should put your phone in rice if it gets wet. And while the idea makes sense initially, this is one in a pile of tech misconceptions that people still follow.

Even with the water-resistance of modern phones, you should know what to do when your phone gets wet—and why rice isn’t part of that solution.

Why you shouldn’t put your phone in rice

The thinking behind putting your phone in a sealed bag (or bowl) of rice is that rice absorbs the moisture more effectively than letting the phone sit on its own. This grew out of old photography advice recommending uncooked rice as an emergency substitute for silica gel—to keep cameras dry when shooting in humid environments.

However, putting a wet phone into rice can cause more problems than it solves. The biggest issue is that rice can introduce starchy residue and bits of dusty grains into your phone’s ports. That can cause more problems, including gummy obstructions in the ports and the rice getting moldy if it sits for long enough.

Rice may also hold moisture in your device for longer than it otherwise would have been present, causing more damage. And if rice grains swell, they can put pressure on the internals of your phone and cause physical damage.

Even if you were to use this method, rice is not the best desiccant (moisture-absorbing substance). Silica gel is a better one—you’ve likely seen packets of it included in shoes, medicine bottles, dried food, and various electronics.

If you insist on putting your phone in a sealed bag with a desiccant, silica gel is a better option. But if you do this, make sure you include enough packets. Sealing your phone in a bag with insufficient drying gel means the water can’t evaporate at all.

Even the best passive drying can’t compete with superior methods, though.

What you need instead: active drying

When your phone gets wet, damage usually happens over time because of corrosion. Water gets inside the phone, doesn’t dry, and then corrodes the internal components. This is why a wet phone might turn back on after a short while of drying, but then slowly die over time.

The key step to save a wet phone is to first turn it off. Damage can occur much faster when there’s power running through your phone, so shut it off as fast as you can.

Apple’s wet phone advice mentions next gently tapping your phone against your hand with the charging port facing down; this will help remove liquid. Use a lint-free cloth to remove any water you can see on the outside, but be careful not to push liquid into the charging port. Don’t forcefully rub your phone either, as this could force liquid into more places.

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Then, it’s best to take your phone apart (as much as possible). This matters because you want to give the internals good airflow (drying power). Modern phones are infamous for lacking removable parts, but you can still remove the case, any accessories, and SD and/or SIM card (if you’re not using an eSIM).

Finally, put your device in a dry area in front of a fan to provide constant airflow. This is active drying—rather than the passive drying of a desiccant—and will remove more water, faster. The fan helps the water evaporate and pulls the wet air out from inside the phone.

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Because corrosion can happen quickly, drying it actively gives your phone a better chance than slowly observing moisture passively. Make sure to have your phone sitting sideways or with the charging port facing down so you’re not working against gravity.

Other important advice to preserve a wet phone

You should never use hot air (like a hairdryer) to dry your phone; use a normal fan that blows cool air. Heat is a threat to electronics; you don’t want to compound the water problem by adding that.

Give your phone plenty of time to dry; even if it looks dry on the outside, there might be moisture inside. Wait at least 24 hours; give it 48-72 or more if you can help it. Turning on a phone that isn’t fully dried can lessen its chances of recovery. If you see symptoms of water damage after turning it on, turn it off again and let it dry longer.

You’ll see advice online about using a vacuum to remove water; you can do this if you’re careful, but it’s best to avoid it if you’re not confident. If you do, use a small handheld vacuum intended for electronics, keep it on low power, and don’t hold it to your phone for more than a few seconds at a time.

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Don’t use compressed air or anything that will push water further into your phone. Avoid using cotton swabs or paper towels, as those can push lint into your phone’s insides. You can try using a shortcut to push water out of your iPhone’s speakers, if you wish.

It might sound obvious, but is worth mentioning: don’t charge your phone while it’s drying.

Modern phones are water-resistant (but not impenetrable)

Thankfully, water won’t damage your phone as quickly as it used to before phones were water-resistant. However, water-resistant doesn’t mean waterproof. Depending on what liquid your phone is submerged in, for how long, how deep it was, and other factors, your device might be able to shrug it off.

However, water-resistance measures can also degrade over time. Thus, it’s best to take the steps to dry your phone if you’re not sure, especially if your phone is older and has likely lost some of its water-resistance.

Consider professional help, and be careful in the future

Since modern phones are difficult to open on your own, you may wish to take your device to an authorized repair shop to have a look before turning it back on. Because most included warranties don’t cover water damage, it could be worth paying a professional to open your phone and remove the water. You’ll pay less than you would for a new phone.

It sounds obvious, but being cautious helps avoid water damage. Don’t keep your phone on the table right next to a drink, avoid using it right next to a pool, and similar. Not putting your phone in a situation where a quick mistake gets it wet is the best way to avoid having to rescue it.

Drying your phone with rice is not the right option, both because rice can harm your device and the passive absorption doesn’t work as quickly as active drying. Dry off what you can, then let a fan do its work. After a few days, hopefully, all the moisture will be gone.