Dropping your iPhone in water can be a nightmare scenario. Your immediate reaction may be to dry it off and put it in rice, hoping this absorbs any moisture inside the device. But does this homemade drying method actually work?
Putting a wet iPhone in rice has become a popular hack to try to save water-damaged devices. The idea is that the rice will act as a desiccant and draw the moisture out of the iPhone’s interior. This cheap and easy rice trick seems worth a shot if your phone gets doused.
The Science Behind Using Rice
The logic behind placing a wet iPhone in a bowl or bag of rice is that rice can absorb moisture well. This is because rice contains starch granules that are hygroscopic – meaning they attract and retain water molecules from the surrounding environment.
When an iPhone is submerged in liquid, that liquid can seep into crevices and openings. Introducing the wet device into a container full of dry rice allows the starch granules in the rice to pull moisture away from the phone through the process of absorption.
The drier grains of rice draw the water out of the phone’s interior, acting as a desiccant. They hydrate themselves by removing the moisture until equilibrium is reached. At this point, the water has been absorbed from the phone into the rice.
Does Rice Absorb Enough Moisture Fast Enough?
Rice is an effective absorbent material in theory. But there are a few practical limitations of using rice to dry out a water-damaged iPhone:
- The rice can only draw out moisture that it comes into direct contact with. It may not be able to extract liquid from deep inside the phone.
- Rice absorbs moisture slowly. The drying process can take 1-3 days.
- Rice only absorbs a limited amount of moisture before becoming saturated.
- Rice is not effective at removing moisture caught under screen glass or inside the phone’s ports.
These challenges make rice less than ideal for quickly and thoroughly drying waterlogged iPhones. The rice method works best if the phone was only briefly exposed to moisture and no liquid got trapped deep inside the device.
Does the Type of Rice Matter?
People often recommend using white rice to dry out phones. White rice is the more processed form of rice where the outer brown bran layer has been removed. The theory is that since brown rice is more oily, it won’t absorb moisture as efficiently.
However, there is little scientific evidence that white rice absorbs significantly more water than brown rice. Either type of rice will be hygroscopic. The absorption rates may vary slightly but not enough to make a real difference.
For drying a phone, just grab whatever bag or container of rice you have in your pantry. The type of rice used is not crucial.
Is Uncooked or Cooked Rice Better?
Raw, uncooked rice grains will work marginally better than already cooked rice. This is because cooked rice has absorbed water during the cooking process, so is not as moisture-free as uncooked batches.
However, both cooked and uncooked rice will absorb some amount of moisture from a wet device. If you only have already cooked rice on hand, it can still aid the drying process.
Recommended Drying Time for Rice Method
Most sources recommend leaving your wet iPhone in a bowl or bag of rice for at least 24-72 hours. It’s important not to remove it too soon, as moisture can still remain trapped internally.
Here are some general guidelines for drying time:
- 24 hours if the phone was mildly exposed to moisture.
- 48 hours if moderately wet but not fully submerged.
- 72 or more hours if completely soaked or immersed in liquid.
Check on the phone and rice periodically to see if the rice still looks moist. When the rice remains completely dry after a day or two, the phone is likely ready to be removed and tested.
Does Replacing the Rice Help?
Some sources recommend replacing the rice every 12-24 hours. The idea is that the used damp rice will be less effective, so adding new dry rice accelerates the process.
In reality, constant rice replacement provides minimal benefit. The rice absorbs moisture quickly at first, then slows down. Unless the phone was severely waterlogged, one batch of rice is sufficient. Just give it 2-3 days to work.
Tips to Maximize Drying Effectiveness
Here are some tips to optimize the moisture absorption if trying the rice method:
- Use a sealable plastic bag or airtight container. This traps moisture inside so it can’t evaporate.
- Pack rice tightly around the phone to maximize contact.
- Burrito wrap the phone in a towel then put in rice. This protects from dust.
- Add a dessicant pack to the rice to aid absorption.
- Do not disturb the phone while rice is absorbing moisture.
- Check that no moisture beads or condensation remain before removing phone.
Should You Leave the iPhone On or Off?
Best practice is to turn the phone off before placing in rice. This prevents short circuiting if any moisture remains inside.
Leaving the phone on while damp allows current to continue flowing through components and could cause damage. Powering it off stops electrical activity so moisture can evaporate without risk.
Possible Risks and Downsides
While the rice trick often gets recommended online, there are some notable downsides and risks to consider:
- May cause corrosion if moisture remains trapped internally.
- Rice dust and starch can get lodged in ports.
- Any liquid left inside can short circuit the logic board when powered on.
- Moisture can remain stuck under screen glass.
- Sometimes there is no visible damage until later.
The rice method is not foolproof. It should not give you a false sense of security if your phone was exposed to lots of liquid. Internal damage may still occur over time due to moisture or corrosion issues.
When to Avoid Rice
Avoid using the rice trick if:
- The phone was submerged in corrosive liquids like saltwater, soda, or chlorinated water.
- You can see moisture trapped under the screen glass.
- The phone has been soaked long enough for corrosion to start.
In these cases, rice may absorb some exterior moisture but it cannot extract liquid trapped internally behind glass or around components. Professional phone repair is recommended.
Alternatives to Rice for Drying
While rice is the most well-known DIY phone drying agent, there are alternatives you can try instead:
- Silica gel packs – These absorb moisture more powerfully than rice.
- Wet wipes/paper towels – Gently dry out the exterior.
- Isopropyl alcohol – Displaces water and accelerates evaporation.
- Vacuum extraction – Uses suction to pull out liquid internally.
- Dehumidifier/fan – Aids natural moisture evaporation.
Professional Water Damage Repair
For more severe water exposure, professional phone repair is advised over DIY drying methods. Phone technicians have tools to:
- Disassemble devices to clean internal components.
- Thoroughly dry all microparts.
- Remove corrosion and mineral deposits.
- Replace any damaged parts like batteries.
- Test for full functionality.
Phone repair shops can fully extract moisture and trace amounts of liquid that rice or drying kits cannot. However, phone disassembly and internal cleaning does carry a cost.
Does Rice Damage iPhones?
Rice itself does not cause any direct damage to iPhones. However, there are a few indirect problems that can occur:
- Rice dust can clog ports, speakers, and cameras.
- Moisture left inside can lead to corrosion over time.
- Trapped moisture can short circuit logic boards.
The rice does not ruin the phone, but moisture that remains internally after the rice method can cause gradual problems. Look out for corrosion around ports or glitchy functioning.
Precautions When Using Rice
Take these precautions to avoid rice-related damage:
- Use a bowl and plastic wrap instead of loose rice.
- Do not shake the phone in rice; gently place inside.
- Check ports and cameras for rice dust afterwards.
- Do not power on until completely dry.
With some care, the rice should not itself harm the phone. But it may fail to fully dry internal moisture.
Success Rates of the Rice Method
There is limited statistical data on real-world success rates of the rice iPhone drying method. Some general observations:
- Works best if phone was wet for <30 minutes and promptly dried.
- Up to 80% success rate if moisture exposure was mild.
- Decreases in effectiveness once corrosion has started internally.
- Poor results for phones left moist for several hours or more.
- Only about 50% effective for phones fully submerged underwater.
There are many anecdotal reports of the rice method working. But it works best for mild-moderate moisture exposure. The longer a phone stays wet on the inside, the lower the rice method’s success rate.
When Rice Drying Fails
Here are some signs that rice drying did not work:
- Corrosion around ports and openings.
- Hazy or foggy screen glass.
- Speakers/microphone sound muffled.
- Glitchy battery charging.
- Random shutdowns or freezing.
- Logic board failure.
In these cases, internal moisture was not fully extracted. Unfortunately rice can only absorb so much ambient moisture around the phone’s exterior.
Does Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Most standard iPhone insurance plans do not cover accidental water damage or submersion. You’ll need to pay an additional premium for liquid damage protection.
Here’s the water damage coverage from popular insurers:
- AppleCare+ – Only covers manufacturing defects, not water damage.
- Carrier insurance – Usually excludes water damage.
- SquareTrade – Optional Liquid Damage Protection available for extra cost.
- Asurion – Covers accidental water damage with premium plans.
Review your iPhone insurance policy’s inclusions. The basic plans may not cover water exposure. Upgraded protection is needed for liquid incidents.
Third Party Repair Options
Even without insurance, you can pay for third-party iPhone repair after water damage. Service options include:
- Local repair shops – Range from $60-150 for basic drying.
- Mail-in services like iCracked – About $100-$250 for water damage repair.
- Apple Store – Around $500-$700+ to replace damaged parts.
DIY rice drying is cheapest. But professional repair yields better results, especially if corrosion has begun internally.
Can You Fix a Water Damaged iPhone Yourself?
It’s possible to successfully fix a mildly water-damaged iPhone yourself without professional help. Here are some DIY techniques to try:
- Dry the exterior with microfiber cloths to prevent corrosion.
- Use highest percentage isopropyl alcohol available to displace moisture.
- Place in front of a fan to accelerate air drying.
- Vacuum out liquid from ports using suction cup tool.
- Replace battery if glitching, swollen or not charging properly.
For major water damage, full disassembly is required to clean logic boards and internal components. Non-professionals should avoid dismantling iPhones as it’s intricate work.
When to Get Professional Repair
Seek professional iPhone repair if:
- Phone was submerged more than 30 minutes.
- Speakers/microphones sound muffled.
- Corrosion is visible around charging port.
- Screen glitches, turns blue, or has dead pixels.
- Cameras produce blurry images.
- Won’t power on, battery drains abnormally fast.
Once deep internal damage is present, DIY measures have low odds of success. The phone will likely need disassembly and component replacement.
Does Putting an iPhone in Rice Work – Conclusion
The effectiveness of the rice trick depends on the severity of the water exposure. For minor-moderate soaking, rice can help extract ambient moisture from the phone’s exterior and openings. However, it has limited ability to remove liquid trapped deep internally.
The success rate diminishes significantly if the phone has been submerged for more than an hour, as corrosion is likely taking hold internally. Rice cannot undo corrosion damage.
In cases of minor-brief water contact, rice drying can be worth trying as it’s inexpensive and low-risk. But have realistic expectations – rice may only partially remove moisture. For severe submersion damage, rely on professional phone repair for best results.