NEVER drop your iPhone in rice if you’ve got it wet – it’s officially a bad idea.
Apple recommends a better way to dry your iPhone that won’t risk damaging it in the process.
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Your iPhone will usually warn you when it’s wet, typically with a pop-up alert that liquid has been detected in the Lightning or USB-C connector.
Normally this will prevent you from using the port – including to charge – until it’s dry.
You might be tempted to follow widespread advice to immerse your iPhone in rice, but it’s an urban myth that could actually make matters worse.
“Don’t put your iPhone in a bag of rice,” Apple warned.
“Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.”
That’s not all: Apple recommends avoiding two other common mistakes.
“Don’t dry your iPhone using an external heat source or compressed air,” Apple said.
And the iPhone maker added: “Don’t insert a foreign object, such as a cotton swab or a paper towel, into the connector.”
How to dry your iPhone
It’s extremely important that you don’t try to charge your iPhone when it’s wet.
“If you charge your iPhone while the Lightning or USB-C connector is wet, the pins on the connector or cable can corrode and cause permanent damage or stop functioning, causing connectivity issues for your iPhone or accessory,” Apple explained.
The best method, according to Apple, is to first gently tap your iPhone against your hand.
Make sure that the connector is facing down to allow any excess liquid to fall out.
Then simply leave your iPhone in a dry area – preferably somewhere with airflow.
Wait at least 30 minutes and then try to charge again.
If the alert re-appears then you should leave the iPhone in a dry area with airflow for up to a day.
Don’t use heat sources like hair dryers or radiators, and don’t stuff anything into the connector port to dry it out either.