Should You Put a Wet Phone in Rice?

Does Rice Work to Dry a Wet Phone?

No, rice doesn't work well to dry a wet phone, and Apple advises against it. Apple warns that small rice particles can damage an iPhone. Moving air dries a phone at least as well, without the risk.

Why Does Rice Seem to Work?

Rice seems to work because most wet phones dry out by themselves given time. A phone left in a bowl of rice overnight is also a phone left alone for a night. When it works the next morning, the rice gets the credit that time and air earned.

What Does Apple Say About Rice?

Apple's support page on liquid-detection alerts lists putting an iPhone in a bag of rice as something not to do. Apple's reason is that rice particles could damage the phone. The same page lists heat sources, compressed air, and objects pushed into the connector as things to avoid.

What Should You Do Instead of Using Rice?

Instead of using rice, drain the phone and leave it in moving air.

1. Tap the phone gently against your hand with the charging port facing down.
2. Leave it in a dry place with some airflow.
3. Wait at least 30 minutes before trying a wired charger.
4. Allow up to 24 hours if the phone still shows a liquid alert.

These steps come from Apple's guidance. The full routine is in the guide to dry a wet phone.

Can Rice Damage Your Phone?

Yes, rice can damage your phone. Apple warns that rice particles could damage an iPhone. Grains, starch dust and fragments can lodge in the charging port, the speaker holes and the SIM tray slot. A port blocked by rice dust can trigger the same alert as water; see water in the charging port.

Is Silica Gel Better Than Rice?

It depends on what you expect it to do. Silica gel absorbs moisture from the air better than rice and doesn't shed starch dust. Neither Apple nor Samsung recommends it, though. Both advise draining the phone and drying it in moving air. If you use silica gel packets, keep them outside the ports and don't rely on them to speed things up.

Saltwater needs a fresh-water rinse before any drying; see what to do with a phone dropped in saltwater.

What If the Speaker Still Sounds Wet After Drying?

If the speaker still sounds wet after drying, water is still sitting in the speaker grille. Play a low tone with the speaker facing down to push it out. Use the free 165 Hz speaker cleaner for up to 3 cycles.