If your phone falls into a pool, sink, or toilet, there is one piece of advice people rush to give: "Put it in rice." This has become one of the most famous tech myths of the last decade. It is so common that you might not even stop to question its validity.
اضافة اعلان
While many modern phones are water-resistant—often requiring nothing more than a good wipe down—accidents still happen, especially with older models. But is rice truly the "magic desiccant" it's claimed to be?
What do the experts say?
Associate Professor Ritesh Chugh, a social technology expert at Central Queensland University, told TechRadar that the idea of rice drying out a wet phone is "simply a myth." Not only is it ineffective, but it could actually worsen the problem.
"Rice absorbs moisture far too slowly to remove the water that may have accumulated inside modern, sealed smartphones," Chugh explained. He added that small rice grains or dust can get stuck in charging ports, making the repair process even more difficult. This explains why many major smartphone manufacturers explicitly warn against using rice.
Where did the idea come from?
Steven Athwal, CEO and founder of The Big Phone Store, noted that this became a viral internet hack around 2014. While rice does absorb moisture, it is too slow to stop the corrosion or short-circuiting that begins within minutes of water exposure.
The trick may have seemingly worked for older digital cameras or early mobile phones, but it has been incorrectly applied to modern smartphones. Experts emphasize that any apparent "success" is usually just surface-level drying rather than a real internal fix.
The Right Way to Dry Your Phone
If rice isn't the answer, what should you actually do? Athwal provides a clear protocol:
Turn it off immediately and keep it off.
Do not charge it, press any buttons, or shake the device.
Pat it dry gently with a towel.
Use Silica Gel: If you have silica gel packets (the small desiccant bags found in shoe boxes), use them instead.
If silica gel isn't available, the next best option is to let the phone air dry in a well-ventilated room, away from direct heat sources.
The most critical step:
Leave the phone to dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. The device must be completely dry before you attempt to turn it on, as the combination of electricity and water causes internal corrosion and short circuits.
Pro Tip:
Athwal recommends taking the device to a professional repair shop if possible. A technician can clean the internal motherboard before corrosion becomes permanent—a much more reliable solution than a bowl of rice.
