Apple Says Stop Putting Your Wet iPhone in Rice
A common method of reviving a wet electronic device, like a smartphone, is to put it in a bag of rice. Per a recent support document, Apple recommends against such phone-saving measures.
As spotted by Macworld, an official Apple support article about liquid-detection alerts on recent iPhone models tells users what to do — and importantly, what not to do — should their phone give them the dreaded “Liquid detected in USB-C Connector” message.
Since the iPhone XS and XR models were released, Apple has included a liquid detection feature for Lightning and now USB-C ports on iPhone models. If liquid is detected inside an iPhone’s port, an iOS alert says that charging is unavailable, and users should disconnect the cord and let the connector dry, which “may take several hours.”
For people who simply must charge their phone that second, like in the event of an emergency, there is an override option. However, charging an iPhone when there is liquid in the connector can cause permanent damage to the device. Ideally, wireless charging would be available.
So, what does Apple say people should do when their iPhone or accessory is wet? This may seem obvious, but drying the iPhone is a good start. This is where the old standby “throw it in rice” trick has often come into play.
In contrast, Apple recommends tapping the phone to try to dislodge excess liquid with the connector down. After doing this, wait half an hour and attempt to charge it again.
If the alert is still popping up, “Leave your iPhone in a dry area with some airflow for up to a day. You can try again to charge or connect an accessory throughout this period. It might take up to 24 hours to fully dry,” says Apple.
Notably, the support page lists three things users should refrain from doing: Dry their iPhone using an external heat source or compressed air, insert a foreign object into their phone, or put it in a bag of rice. As for the rice bag, Apple says doing so “could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.”
Recent iPhone models are impressively water-resistant, so even if a liquid detection alert pops up, users shouldn’t immediately panic. Just follow Apple’s advice and let your iPhone air dry.
Image credits: Apple
