Is Putting Your Wet Phone in Rice Really the Best Solution?

We’ve all been there – the dreaded moment when your phone takes an unexpected splash into the toilet bowl. The immediate reaction is usually to panic and search for a quick fix. One popular hack that has been circulating for years is the idea of putting your wet phone in a bag of rice. However, Apple has recently weighed in on this matter, providing updated guidelines on how to properly deal with a wet phone.

According to Apple, the first step is to unplug your phone (if it’s plugged in) and gently tap it against your hand with the connector pointing downwards. This helps to remove some of the moisture. After half an hour, they suggest trying to charge your device again. If you continue to receive the wet phone alert, Apple advises leaving your phone in a dry area with airflow for up to a day to allow it to fully dry.

Contrary to popular belief, Apple advises against using external heat sources, swabs, paper towels, and even the infamous rice hack. The company states that putting your iPhone in a bag of rice could actually cause small particles of rice to damage your phone.

So, what’s the science behind the rice hack? While the idea has been around since the 1940s for keeping exposed film dry, it hasn’t been rigorously tested. In fact, a semi-scientific test conducted in 2014 compared rice to other drying agents such as couscous, oatmeal, silica gel, and cat litter. Surprisingly, rice absorbed the least amount of water within 24 hours.

The experimenters also found that simply leaving the wet phone on a shelf performed better than any of the drying agents tested. This suggests that allowing your phone to naturally air dry may be the most effective solution.

In conclusion, while the rice hack has been a go-to solution for many, it seems that there are more efficient ways to deal with a wet phone. Apple’s guidelines, along with the findings from the experiment, suggest that gentle tapping and natural air drying are the best practices. So next time your phone takes an unexpected swim, remember to skip the rice and opt for a safer and more effective drying method.

FAQ section:

Q: What is the popular hack for dealing with a wet phone?
A: Putting your wet phone in a bag of rice.

Q: What does Apple advise for dealing with a wet phone?
A: Apple advises unplugging the phone, tapping it against your hand with the connector pointing downwards, trying to charge it after half an hour, and leaving it in a dry area with airflow to fully dry.

Q: Does Apple recommend using the rice hack?
A: No, Apple advises against using the rice hack.

Q: Why does Apple advise against using the rice hack?
A: Apple states that putting your iPhone in a bag of rice could cause small particles of rice to damage your phone.

Q: What does the science say about the rice hack?
A: The rice hack hasn’t been rigorously tested, and an experiment showed that rice absorbed the least amount of water compared to other drying agents. Leaving the wet phone to air dry performed better than any drying agents tested.

Key terms and jargon:
– Wet phone: A phone that has come into contact with liquid, such as water.
– Rice hack: The practice of putting a wet phone in a bag of rice to try and absorb the moisture.

Related links:
– Apple (Official website of Apple)