Water damage to phones is a common occurrence. Electronic devices like phones are at risk of quick damage and malfunctions when exposed to water. Therefore, drying the phone is essential, especially since they have many small details that are difficult to wipe with a cloth. Many people have passed on the method of submerging the phone in rice to absorb moisture. However, even Apple has issued a warning. The company has updated its instructions for handling situations where an iPhone gets wet for models with waterproof capabilities. According to Apple, users are cautioned “not to put an iPhone in rice” as this method can potentially damage the device with rice particles.
Alternative methods to deal with a wet phone without using rice:
– First, you must disconnect the phone from any cables and chargers as soon as it gets wet. You should absolutely refrain from connecting any cables until the iPhone and related accessories are completely dry.
– Next, you can gently tap the phone on your hand with the charging port facing downwards to remove any trapped water.
– After that, you should place the phone in a dry and well-ventilated area.
– After at least 30 minutes, try charging the phone again (using a Lightning or USB-C cable). If you still receive a liquid detection warning at the charging port or at the copper pins on the cable.
– Keep the phone in a dry, well-ventilated area for a longer period, possibly up to a day, while continuing to try charging or connecting it to accessories during this time. It may take up to 24 hours for the phone to completely dry.
– In case the phone is already dry but not charging, you can unplug and reconnect the cable and charger.
– If you’re unsure whether the charging port is still moist, pay attention to the warning on the phone when you plug in the charger. For models that use Lightning cables, the screen will display a notification window stating that the phone cannot be charged due to “liquid detection in the Lightning connector.” For iPhone 15 series using USB-C, the warning will be longer: “Liquid detected in the USB-C port. Disconnect the charging cable to prevent damage to the device and let this component dry before use.
In addition to the rice method, Apple also advises against other ways of drying a phone, such as placing it near a heat source or compressed air machine, or inserting foreign objects like cotton swabs or toilet paper into the charging ports. So, you should be careful not to worsen the situation.
