Proper iPhone Drying: Apple Discredits Rice Bag Technique
Apple advises users not to follow the widespread but ineffective practice of drying a wet iPhone in a bag of rice. Despite the widespread use of this technique, experts have long warned against it. Apple has officially cautioned against the method, stating that tiny rice particles could damage the device. Instead, the tech giant recommends that users gently tap out any liquid, position the phone connector downward, and allow it to air-dry.
While smartphones become increasingly sophisticated, the solutions for fixing water damage remain primitive. Apple is taking the opportunity to guide users away from several standard but potentially harmful methods. Besides discouraging the use of rice, the company advises against employing external heat sources or compressed air, ruling out options like radiators and hairdryers. Inserting foreign objects, such as cotton swabs or paper towels, into the phone is also discouraged.
The recommended approach is to leave the wet phone in a dry area with airflow before reconnecting it to a charger. MacWorld, the first to notice Apple’s updated support document, notes that evolving smartphone designs may make such advice obsolete as newer devices are increasingly designed to withstand water exposure. For instance, all Apple devices from the iPhone 12 onward can endure immersion up to six meters deep for up to half an hour.
However, given the growth in the global second-hand mobile market, where cost-of-living pressures may drive individuals to seek advice on handling wet smartphones, such guidance remains relevant. Many people may continue to require assistance on the dos and don’ts of dealing with a water-damaged device for the foreseeable future.
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