Key facts
- Apple warns against using rice to dry wet smartphones due to potential damage from rice particles.
- Recommended drying methods include wiping the exterior, removing the SIM card, and air-drying.
- Silica gel is a more effective drying agent than rice.
- Modern smartphones are water-resistant, not waterproof, with varying submersion limits.
- Avoid using heat sources like hair dryers or radiators, and do not put phones in freezers or tumble dryers.
When a smartphone encounters liquid, a common piece of advice is to place it in a bowl of rice, but Apple has recently cautioned against this practice. The tech giant warned that small rice particles could damage iPhones. Instead, experts suggest a more effective approach to drying a wet device.