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Putting a wet phone in a bag of rice is one of the most widely shared tech tips. It's also one Apple explicitly tells you not to follow. Here's why rice doesn't help, how it can make things worse, and what to do instead.
Key takeaways
- Rice doesn't dry a phone faster than open air. It mainly absorbs moisture from the surrounding air, not from inside the phone.
- Starch dust and small grains can get into ports and the speaker. Apple warns that rice particles could damage your iPhone.
- Better option: tap out excess water, then air dry in a dry spot with airflow, port facing down. A fan blowing cool air helps.
- Wait before charging with a cable: Apple suggests at least 5 hours after liquid exposure.
The myth
Rice doesn't dry a phone faster than open air. The idea sounds logical: rice absorbs water, so it should pull water out of a phone. But uncooked rice absorbs moisture slowly, and mostly from the air around it. Water trapped in a charging port, speaker or behind seals doesn't get drawn out by rice sitting outside the phone. Burying the phone can also reduce airflow, which is what actually helps water evaporate.
The risk
Starch dust and small grains can get into ports and the speaker. Apple's support page on liquid-detection alerts says: "Don't put your iPhone in a bag of rice. Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone." Dust and broken grains can lodge in the charging port, stopping cables from connecting properly, or in speaker grilles, muffling sound.
What Apple recommends instead
- Unplug any cable or accessory.
- Tap the iPhone gently against your hand with the connector facing down to remove excess liquid.
- Leave it in a dry area with some airflow. A fan blowing cool air directly into the port might help.
- If it was exposed to a liquid other than plain water, rinse the affected area with tap water and wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Wait at least 5 hours before charging with a cable or connecting accessories. If you see a liquid-detection alert, keep drying for up to a day.
Other "hacks" to avoid
| "Hack" | Why to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Rice | Doesn't speed drying; particles can enter ports |
| Hair dryer or oven | Heat can damage the battery, screen and seals |
| Compressed air | Can push water deeper into the phone |
| Cotton swabs or paper towels in the port | Can leave fibers or damage pins |
| Charging to "test" it | Charging while wet can corrode the connector |
What about silica gel?
Silica gel packets absorb moisture more effectively than rice and don't shed starch dust. But they still work mainly on the surrounding air, so there's little evidence they dry the inside of a phone faster than good airflow. If you use them, keep the phone in an open container with airflow rather than a sealed bag, and make sure no beads or dust get near the ports. Apple's guidance is simply air drying.
How long does air drying take?
It depends on how wet the phone got. A light splash may dry in under an hour. After a dunk, Apple suggests waiting at least 5 hours before cable charging, and liquid in the charging port can take up to 24 hours to clear. Speakers may sound muffled for a few hours while water evaporates. See iPhone speaker still muffled after water?
When drying isn't enough
If the phone won't turn on, shows screen problems or keeps showing liquid alerts after a day, internal components may be wet or damaged. Contact Apple Support or an authorized service provider. Liquid damage isn't covered by the standard warranty, but AppleCare+ covers accidental damage for a fee. See does AppleCare+ cover water damage?
Does this apply to Android phones too?
Most phone makers give similar advice: power off if needed, dry the outside, let it air dry, and avoid heat and charging while wet. Check your manufacturer's support page for model-specific guidance.
Where the rice myth came from
The tip spread long before phones had water resistance, when any moisture could short a circuit. People who put phones in rice and found they worked afterwards credited the rice, when the phone would probably have recovered just as well, or better, in open air. Today's water-resistant iPhones often survive a quick splash anyway, which makes the rice step even less necessary.
A quick checklist to save
Tap out the water, wipe it dry, leave it with airflow, wait before charging, and skip the rice.
Frequently asked questions
Does putting a phone in rice actually work?
Not really. Rice doesn't dry a phone faster than open air, and Apple warns that rice particles can damage an iPhone. Air drying with good airflow is better.
What should I do instead of rice?
Unplug cables, tap the phone gently with the port facing down, and leave it in a dry spot with airflow. A fan blowing cool air into the port can help.
How long should a wet phone dry before charging?
Apple recommends waiting at least 5 hours before charging with a cable. If a liquid-detection alert appears, keep drying for up to 24 hours.
Is silica gel better than rice for drying a phone?
Silica gel absorbs moisture better and doesn't shed starch, but there's little evidence it dries a phone's insides faster than airflow. Apple recommends air drying.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 15, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.