Why Apple Says You Should Never Put Your Wet iPhone in Rice
Apple officially warns against placing wet iPhones in bags of rice, as starch and dust particles can permanently damage the charging port. Follow proper drying steps instead.
It happens to everyone. The phone slips into the sink, falls into a puddle, or gets soaked by a spilled cup. The immediate reaction is almost always the same: bury it in a bag of rice and wait.
Apple explicitly advises against this practice, stating in its official support guidelines that putting a wet iPhone in a bag of rice can cause internal damage. Small particles, dust, and starch grains from the rice can easily get stuck in the charging port, complicating the situation further.
To properly dry an iPhone, users should wipe the device down externally, hold it with the connector facing downward, and gently tap it against their hand to remove excess liquid. The phone should then be left in a dry area with airflow, waiting at least 30 minutes before attempting to connect a cable.
If the phone continues to issue liquid detection alerts, it should be left to dry for up to 24 hours. During this period, wireless charging can be used safely since the charging port is bypassed entirely. Apple also warns against using external heat sources like hair dryers, compressed air, or inserting cotton swabs into the port.