Water damage and electronics don’t mix well. Water can cause short circuits, corrosion, and irreparable damage to electronic devices. According to research, water is the primary cause of device failure in electronics, with up to 66% of damage attributed to liquid spills and moisture (source). Even a small amount of water can be detrimental if it gets inside the electronic casing and reaches the circuitry. While some water damage may be reversible if acted on quickly, components like circuit boards can corrode rapidly when exposed to moisture.
Why Putting A Wet Phone In Rice Helps
Rice is often recommended as a desiccant, or drying agent, when electronics like phones get wet. The idea is that rice will help absorb the moisture inside the device and dry it out faster. This is based on the fact that rice contains small, porous starch granules that enable it to absorb water readily. The air pockets between individual grains of rice also provide surface area to help draw moisture away from the phone’s internal components (Wired). When surrounded by rice in a sealed container, some of the water molecules from inside the phone can evaporate and then be absorbed by the rice, gradually drying out the phone’s interior.
Optimal Time In Rice
Most experts recommend leaving your wet phone in rice for 24-48 hours to allow maximum moisture absorption. Rice absorbs moisture through a process called adsorption, where the water molecules bond to the surface of the rice grains. According to a study by Gazelle, a technology trade-in company, “After about 48 hours in rice, only 13% of the water came out of the phone,” so there are diminishing returns after that point. The first 48 hours is when the rice will absorb the most moisture.
However, it depends on factors like how wet the phone got and the type of rice used. For very wet phones, some recommend 72 hours or more to be safe. But leaving it longer than 3-4 days provides little extra benefit. Most of the moisture absorption happens early on as the rice quickly draws out the water. After a couple of days, it slows down significantly.
Factors That Affect Drying Time
There are several key factors that affect how long it takes for rice to absorb the moisture from a wet phone:
The type of phone – Smartphones with more tightly sealed designs and fewer openings will take longer to dry out than older models. Waterproof phones like the iPhone 7 or Samsung Galaxy S7 may take over 24 hours to dry fully.
Amount of water exposure – The more water a phone is exposed to, the longer it will take to dry out. Quick splashes may only need 8-12 hours, while submersion can require 48 hours or more.
Temperature – Warm, dry conditions allow rice to absorb moisture faster. Keep the phone and rice in a sunny area or use a fan to circulate air. Cool, humid areas slow drying.
In general, severely wet phones need 24-48 hours in rice before they will be fully dry internally. Check for moisture in ports and speakers before turning on again.
Signs It’s Fully Dry
The best way to test if your phone is fully dry after using rice is to check several key components. Here are some signs your phone is dry and ready to turn on again:
- Speakers – Play a song or video out loud. If the audio sounds clear without any crackling or distortion, the speakers are likely dry.
- Charging Port – Plug your phone in to charge. If it charges normally without any issues, the port is dry.
- Buttons – Press buttons like power, volume, home button. They should click and respond normally if dry.
You’ll also want to look for any remaining moisture behind the screen by shining a flashlight. Check carefully for any visible water markings or fogging. If everything looks clear, your phone is likely good to go. Just remember to turn it on slowly and watch for any issues.
Turning On Safely
After your phone has been soaking in rice for at least 48 hours, it’s time to try turning it on. However, it’s important not to put the battery back in right away. Turning on a phone that still has moisture inside can short circuit the device and cause permanent damage.
First, attempt to turn on the phone without the battery installed. If it powers on, you’ll know the logic board itself is not too wet to operate. Let it run for a few minutes like this to help drive out any remaining moisture from inside.
If the phone won’t turn on without the battery, leave it in the rice for at least another 24 hours before testing again. Do not attempt to charge or power on a wet phone until you can successfully boot it up while just connected to the charger.
Once the phone starts up minus the battery with no issues, then you can reinstall the battery and attempt a full normal boot up. If it turns on successfully, the water damage should be cleared and you can start using your phone again as normal.
However, if it struggles to boot up or doesn’t turn on at all with the battery reinstalled, there is likely still moisture trapped internally that you’ll need to dry out further before it will operate safely.
Other Drying Methods
While rice is a popular household item for drying out wet phones, there are some other effective options to consider:
Silica gel packs work similarly to rice by absorbing moisture. You can find these packs in various products like shoe boxes, food packages, and vitamin bottles. Place your phone in an airtight container with a few silica gel packs for optimal moisture absorption. According to an article on the ScreenWorks website, silica gel beads are more effective than rice for drying wet phones [1].
Letting your phone air dry in direct sunlight can also help evaporate moisture. Just make sure to avoid extreme heat by monitoring the temperature. You can also use a fan to circulate the air; direct the fan at your phone placed on an absorbent cloth or paper towels. According to WikiHow, fans work well for mildly wet phones along with sunlight [2].
Preventing Water Damage
The best way to handle water damage to electronics is to prevent it from happening in the first place. There are a few key steps you can take to help protect your devices:
Use a waterproof case – Putting your phone or tablet in a waterproof case when you’re going to be around water is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent water damage. Waterproof cases create a barrier that keeps water out of your device. Brands like LifeProof and OtterBox make high-quality waterproof cases for most popular phones and tablets.
Avoid exposing it to moisture – Be cautious when using your phone or electronics near sinks, pools, baths or other sources of water. Wait until you are away from moisture to pull out your device. Turn off and store electronics when engaging in water sports or activities where you could get splashed.
Use water repellent sprays – Applying a nano-coating spray like Liquipel or HzO can create an invisible barrier that causes water to bead up and roll off your device, rather than soaking in. This provides partial protection.
Inspect seals – If your electronics have a removable cover, inspect the rubber gaskets and seals regularly to make sure they are intact. Cracked or missing seals can allow moisture inside.
When Rice Doesn’t Work
If your phone remains wet even after sitting in rice for over 48 hours, the rice method is likely ineffective at this point. At that stage, you have a couple options:
Professional Data Recovery – For valuable data trapped inside a water-damaged phone, you may need professional data recovery services. Companies like DriveSavers specialize in extracting data from phones, even if the phone itself no longer functions. This option can be expensive but may be worthwhile for irreplaceable data.
Phone Replacement – If the phone itself is too damaged to recover, replacement may be necessary. Check if the phone is still under warranty or if your insurance covers water damage. Otherwise, you’ll likely need to purchase a new phone if rice drying attempts prove unsuccessful.
As a last resort before replacement, you can also try taking the phone to a repair shop to see if they can fully dry out and fix any damaged parts. But significant water damage often requires replacing the phone entirely.
Summary
If your iPhone has gotten wet, one of the best ways to dry it out is to place it in a bowl or bag of uncooked rice. Rice absorbs moisture well and helps to draw water out of the phone. The optimal time to leave an iPhone in rice is around 48 hours. This gives the rice enough time to fully absorb any interior moisture that may have gotten inside the phone.
Leaving the phone in rice any longer than 48 hours is unlikely to provide additional benefit. But it’s important to check periodically for signs that the phone is dry before removing it from the rice. Look for a fully clear or fog-free screen and no condensation or moisture inside the phone. Also, only charge and turn on the phone once you are fully confident there is no remaining water left.
While rice is a popular drying method, there are some other options as well like silica gel packs, ventilation, heat, and professional data recovery services. But rice is convenient, widely available, and often effective if the water exposure was limited and addressed quickly. With some patience during the drying process, there is a good chance of saving an iPhone from serious water damage by utilizing uncooked rice.
