Apple has warned iPhone users against drying their phones with a popular ‘hack’. Putting your phone in a bowl of rice might be a commonly known trick to do if you accidentally get your device wet, but the tech giant says you shouldn’t.
Despite many people swearing by the method, experts have rallied against it as tests suggest it doesn’t work, as reported by the BBC. Apple has released new guidance telling users it could be damaging to their devices.
By putting your phone in rice, it could lead to small particles of the rice damaging parts of the device. Instead, Apple suggested gently tapping out any liquid, with the phone connector facing down and leaving it to dry out on its own.
As well as avoiding rice, Apple also advised against drying a wet phone via an “external heat source or compressed air”, meaning radiators and hair dryers should be avoided. The company also warns against inserting a “foreign object”, such as cotton buds or tissue paper, into your mobile.
All Apple device from the iPhone 12 onwards are able to withstand immersion up to a depth of six metres, for up to half an hour. Here is what Apple’s new guidance says.
Apple’s guidance
According to Apple’s support site, there are a few things you should remember if your iPhone or Apple accessory gets wet. Fisrtly, remove the cable and don’t plug it back in until your iPhone and the cable are completely dry.
How to dry your iPhone
Next, tap your iPhone gently against your hand with the connector facing down to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone in a dry area with some airflow.
After at least 30 minutes, try charging using a Lightning or USB-C cable or connecting an accessory. If you see the alert again, there is still liquid in the connector or under the pins of your cable. Leave your iPhone in a dry place with some airflow for up to a day.
You can try again to charge or connect an accessory throughout this period. It may take up to 24 hours to dry fully. If your phone has dried out but still isn’t charging, unplug the cable from the adapter and unplug the adapter from the wall (if possible) and then connect them again.
What you shouldn’t do
According to Apple, you absolutely should not do dry your iPhone using an external heat source or compressed air. Or insert a foreign object, such as a cotton bud or a paper towel, into the connector.
And don’t put your iPhone in a bag of rice. Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone. (Bristol Post)