Can I still put my phone in rice to dry it out?

Dropping your phone in water can be a scary experience. Your first instinct may be to immediately put it in rice to try and draw out the moisture. But does this old trick still work for drying out wet phones? Let’s take a closer look.

Table of Contents

What happens when a phone gets wet?

When a phone is exposed to moisture, it can cause a few different issues:

Corrosion – Water can corrode the metallic electrical contacts and circuitry inside your phone.

Short circuit – Water can bridge connections and create short circuits, which can cause components to malfunction or stop working.
Oxidation – Moisture can cause oxidation of metals inside the phone, potentially damaging connections.
Mineral deposits – As water evaporates, it can leave behind mineral deposits that interfere with electrical connections.

The severity of damage depends on factors like how long the phone was wet, the type of liquid, and how quickly you take action. Quickly drying out a wet phone and removing any remaining moisture is important to potentially avoid permanent damage.

Does rice actually absorb moisture from phones?

The idea behind placing wet phones in rice is that the rice will absorb excess moisture. Rice is hygroscopic, meaning it naturally absorbs water molecules from the surrounding environment. So in theory, putting your wet phone in a bowl or bag of rice will pull moisture away from the phone and into the rice.

Studies have shown that rice does have decent absorbing properties compared to other desiccants like silica gel packets. However, how effective rice is at drying phones depends on a few factors:

Type of rice – White rice absorbs more moisture than brown rice.
Rice freshness – Fresher rice tends to absorb better than older rice.
Contact with phone – The rice needs to be in direct contact with the wet areas of the phone to absorb moisture.

Time – The rice needs sufficient time to absorb the moisture (usually at least 24-48 hours).

Research has shown that white rice can absorb around 0.4 grams of water per gram of rice over a period of a few hours. So in theory, submerging your phone in a bowl of dry white rice could help absorb water that got inside it.

Does the rice method actually work to dry out phones?

While rice does have an ability to absorb moisture, there are mixed views on whether the rice trick is effective for drying water-damaged phones.

Some benefits of using rice:

Convenient and inexpensive – Almost everyone has rice in their pantry already.
Absorbent – As discussed, rice can help draw moisture away from the phone.

Dries phone quickly – Rice can facilitate faster drying compared to just air drying.
Prevents corrosion – Removing moisture helps limit corrosion inside the phone.

Some downsides of using rice:

May not absorb enough – A bowl of rice may not be able to absorb more than a few tablespoons of water.
Rice gets inside phone – Grains can get stuck inside small phone openings.
Doesn’t fix corrosion – Any corrosion or oxidation that already occurred still causes damage.

Delays proper repair – The rice method delays taking the phone to a repair shop.

Here are some examples of when rice may or may not be effective:

Situation	Will Rice Help?
Phone was splashed or had a few drops of water on it	Yes, rice can help absorb trace moisture on the surface.
Phone was fully submerged for over 30 minutes	No, there is likely extensive internal corrosion that rice cannot fix.
Phone was in the washing machine briefly	Maybe, if rice is used immediately to absorb surface moisture.
Phone got lightly rained on	Yes, rice can help dry out light rain exposure.
Phone was exposed to saltwater	No, the minerals in saltwater will still cause corrosion rice can’t remove.

As the above examples show, results can vary greatly based on your specific situation. The rice trick tends to work best for minor, short-term moisture exposure. But for cases of phones saturated or exposed for a long time, rice is unlikely to be an effective solution.

Should you try the rice method to dry your phone?

Here are some guidelines on when you may or may not want to use the rice drying method:

Use rice for: Light splashing, small drops of water, condensation, light rain/sprinkler exposure.
Don’t use rice for: Total submersion, long exposure to water (over 30 minutes), immersion in rivers/lakes/ocean water.

Use rice as a temporary solution to buy time until you can properly repair the phone.
Don’t let rice give you a false sense of security if your phone was significantly waterlogged.

Tips for drying with rice

If you do decide to try drying your phone with rice, follow these tips:

Act quickly – The sooner you can get the phone in rice, the better.
Remove phone case – Take off any protective case so rice contacts the phone directly.
Use white, dry, uncooked rice – It absorbs moisture better than brown or cooked rice.

Bury phone fully in rice – Cover all wet surfaces of the phone with rice.
Leave for 24-48 hours – Give rice sufficient time to absorb moisture.
Check for moisture before removing – Ensure the phone is completely dry before taking out.

Alternative drying options

While the jury is still out on how effective rice is for drying phones, here are some other options you can try:

Silica gel packs – These absorb very well when sealed with wet phone.
Isopropyl alcohol rinse – High percentage alcohol displaces water and dries quickly.

Wireless charger – The heat can help evaporate residual moisture.
Water displacement solvents – Solvents like WD-40 can displace moisture.
Vacuum drying – Some phone repair shops use specialized vacuum drying chambers.

Should you turn on your phone after getting it wet?

It’s understandable you’ll want to turn on your phone right away to assess the damage after water exposure. However, experts strongly advise not turning it on until it’s completely dried out.

Here’s why you should wait to power on a wet phone:

Prevents short circuit – Any remaining moisture can short circuit components.

Avoids corrosion – Corrosion can form extremely quickly on wet circuitry when powered.
No false damage – Water may trip electronic damage indicators even after drying.
Allows drying – Keeping it off allows water to fully evaporate.

Leaving the phone off until it’s completely dry gives you the best chance of being able to power it back on successfully after water damage. Just be patient and allow sufficient drying time first.

Should you take apart your phone after water damage?

Taking apart your phone when it’s wet involves significant risks:

Electric shock – Contact with moisture inside can shock you.

Further damage – You may inadvertently flex or break wet components.
Void warranties – Opening the phone voids manufacturer warranties.

However, there are a few situations where disassembling a wet phone may help:

Drain excess water – Carefully pouring out visible internal water if possible.
Dry internal components – Removing components to dry may help in some cases.
Assess corrosion – You can look for visible corrosion and mineral deposits.

Just be extremely careful when opening a wet phone, go slowly, and research proper disassembly methods for your specific model. Thoroughly dry each component before reassembling. The risk is still high of causing further damage if not done properly.

How can you tell if rice dried your phone successfully?

Once the recommended drying time (usually 24-48 hours) has passed, you can check a few things to see if the rice method worked:

Remove phone & inspect – Carefully take out and look over the phone and ports for any signs of moisture.

Check rice – Inspect the rice for any dark, damp clumps which would indicate absorbed water.
Power on – Attempt to turn the phone on to see if it works properly.
Check for issues – Test functionality like screen, buttons, speakers, microphone, and camera.

If everything powers on and functions normally without issues, the rice likely absorbed the moisture successfully. But if issues remain or new problems emerge, it’s a sign internal water damage still needs to be addressed.

What should you do if rice doesn’t work?

If you removed your phone from the rice and it still won’t turn on or has issues, don’t lose hope yet. Here are some steps to take:

Dry longer – Up to 72 hours may be needed for very wet phones.

Try alternate drying methods – Especially for fully submerged phones.
Have phone professionally cleaned – Water damage specialists have tools to dry out phones.
Replace damaged parts – Components like the logic board may need to be swapped out.

Use phone warranty if applicable – Your warranty may cover water damage repairs.
Consider a new phone – If repair costs exceed replacement cost.

Even if rice doesn’t completely work, taking swift action with professional phone cleaning and repairs can often still save a water-damaged phone.

Does phone water damage eventually go away on its own?

Unfortunately, water damage does not just go away on its own over time. Here’s why water exposure causes ongoing issues:

Corrosion continues – Corrosion progresses even if phone appears to work normally.
Intermittent issues – Damage may cause the phone to have intermittent crashes/shutdowns.

Components fail over time – ICs and connectors damaged by water can fail.
Safety risk – Electrical issues could develop over time and result in shock/fire risk.

For the best long-term outcome, make sure to fully dry and repair any phone exposed significant moisture. Lingering water damage leads to premature failure over time if left unchecked.

Can phones recover completely from water damage?

Many modern phones can fully recover after light water damage if dried and cleaned properly. However, recovery prognosis depends on:

Level of exposure – Brief/minor vs. prolonged/immersion.
Quick action taken – Immediately powering off and drying.

Type of liquid – Clean water vs. corrosive liquids.
Components affected – Some parts may need replacement.
Professional repair – DIY vs proper cleaning/repair shop.

With mild water exposure and quick action, you can potentially restore a phone to like-new condition. But extensive water damage often causes irreversible corrosion requiring repairs or replacement.

Tips for maximizing recovery after water damage

Here are some tips to optimize the chances of your phone making a full recovery after getting wet:

Immediately turn phone off and avoid restarting until fully dry.

Quickly rinse phone with clean water if exposed to sea water/liquids.
Gently shake out any excess water from phone openings.
Absorb surface moisture with microfiber cloth if possible.

Use moisture-absorbing packs/rice to actively draw out water.
Keep phone in a dry, warm area to promote evaporation.
Have a repair shop clean internal components and dry with professional tools.

Replace any corroded modules like the logic board if needed.

Conclusion

Rice can help dry out minor moisture exposure on some newly wet phones. However, it has limitations, especially for phones with extensive water damage. Quick professional repair is best for major recovery. But rice can be a convenient supplemental drying option in a pinch when immediate repair is not possible. Just use it carefully, dry phones as quickly as possible, and address any lingering damage for the best chance of restoring your phone back to full working order.