Current:Home > MyOne Tech Tip: Don’t use rice for your device. Here’s how to dry out your smartphone-LoTradeCoin
One Tech Tip: Don’t use rice for your device. Here’s how to dry out your smartphone
View Date:2024-12-23 14:15:21
LONDON (AP) — You were walking next to a swimming pool when you slipped and dropped your phone into the water. Or it slipped out of your hand when you were next to a filled bathtub or toilet.
However your smartphone got wet, you now need to dry it. But what do you do? There’s lots of advice on the internet, some of it conflicting. Apple inserted itself into the debate recently when it put out an advisory that included a warning against using rice.
Here are some things to keep in mind next time your phone has an unintended encounter with a liquid.
What you should do
Dry off the exterior with a towel or clean cloth, even your shirtsleeve — anything that’s absorbent. Take out the SIM card and holder. If possible, remove the back housing and battery to wipe them dry. Also, if possible, turn the phone off.
iPhones can’t be disassembled so Apple recommends tapping it gently against your hand with the connector ports facing down so liquid can flow out.
Samsung, which is the biggest maker of Android phones, recommends using a cotton bud to get moisture out of the earphone jack and charging port. In contrast, Apple says cotton buds shouldn’t be inserted into iPhone openings.
If it’s not water but another liquid — a drink, seawater or chlorinated pool water — Samsung advises soaking the phone in clean water for a few minutes then rinsing it to get rid of any impurities or salinity that could speed up corrosion of the circuitry inside.
Both companies say it’s best to leave the phone out in a well ventilated area (perhaps with a fan) to dry it out. Google says leave the device to dry at room temperature.
What you shouldn’t do
Don’t use a hair dryer or compressed air on your phone. Don’t put it in a freezer - this might stop your device from short-circuiting but the problem will be back once you try to thaw it. And while this might seem obvious, don’t put your device in a tumble dryer or on top of a radiator.
Don’t power it up or try to charge it with a cable — although wireless charging is OK if your phone has it and you really need to turn it on in an emergency.
So what about using rice to dry your device? You may have heard that putting a phone in a bowl of rice will help draw out moisture. It’s been a tip that’s been out there for years.
Apple, however, says that’s a no-no. The company warned against it in an advisory published in early January. It drew little attention at the time, but then people noticed the line that said: “Don’t put your iPhone in a bag of rice. Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.”
Is there anything I can use besides rice?
The best option is silica gel, a drying agent that can absorb lots of moisture. Silica gel beads are typically found in packets that are included with products like beef jerky, seaweed sheets or sneakers to keep them dry. You can also buy them in bulk online. This works best if you put them in an airtight box with your phone.
When do I know it’s dry?
It’s hard to tell but it’s best to wait as long as possible — at least a few days. Samsung advises bringing your device into a service center for inspection even after it’s been air-dried.
Aren’t phones waterproof nowadays?
Most phones nowadays are designed to be water-resistant, which means they can resist water entering critical areas for a certain amount of time. But beware, this isn’t the same as being waterproof.
Apple says the iPhone 7 and and newer models are splash and water resistant. iPhone XS devices and up have the IP68 rating, which means they can be submerged for as long as 30 minutes and, depending on the model, as deep as 6 meters (20 feet). These models also pop up a warning if there’s liquid detected in key ports, and warn against charging. Samsung says most of its Galaxy Android phones feature the same rating, though the maximum depth is about 5 meters (16 feet).
Google’s newer Pixel phones carry the same water resistance ratings, but Google warns that they aren’t waterproof and the water resistance will diminish over time because of “normal wear and tear, device repair, disassembly or damage.”
veryGood! (857)
Related
- San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had mild stroke this month, team says
- Antisemitic Posts Are Rarely Removed By Social Media Companies, A Study Finds
- Why Remote Work Might Not Revolutionize Where We Work
- Get a $138 J.Crew Skirt for $21, a $90 Cashmere Sweater for $35, and More Can't-Miss Deals
- Taylor Swift drops Christmas merchandise collection, including for 'Tortured Poets' era
- The Robinhood IPO Is Here. But There Are Doubts About Its Future
- The MixtapE! Presents Tim McGraw, Becky G, Maluma and More New Music Musts
- Emoji Use At Work? Survey Says — Thumbs Up!
- Bohannan requests a recount in Iowa’s close congressional race as GOP wins control of House
- 2023 Coachella & Stagecoach Packing Guide: 12 Festival Dresses That Will Steal the Show
Ranking
- Patrick Mahomes Breaks Silence on Frustrating Robbery Amid Ongoing Investigation
- Amazon Warehouse Workers In Alabama May Get To Vote Again On Union
- WeWork Prepares For A Second Act — Banking Its Future On The Rise Of Remote Work
- Outlast's Jill Ashock Promises a Rude Awakening for Viewers Expecting Just Another Survival Show
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
- CBP One app becomes main portal to U.S. asylum system under Biden border strategy
- Feel Like You're Addicted To Your Phone? You're Not Alone
- Shawn Mendes and Sabrina Carpenter Leave Miley Cyrus' Album Release Party Together
Recommendation
-
Tua Tagovailoa tackle: Dolphins QB laughs off taking knee to head vs. Rams on 'MNF'
-
Instagram Apologizes After Removing A Movie Poster Because It Shows A Nipple
-
Shop These 17 Award-Worthy Dresses Before Your Oscars 2023 Viewing Party
-
Driver's Licenses Will Soon Be Coming To The iPhone And Apple Watch In These 8 States
-
Man gets a life sentence in the shotgun death of a New Mexico police officer
-
Pedro Pascal, Zoë Kravitz, Olivia Wilde and More Celebrate Together at Pre-Oscars Parties
-
Several killed in Palestinian terror attacks in West Bank and Tel Aviv, as Israel strikes Hamas targets in Lebanon and Gaza
-
Jacinda Ardern delivers emotional final speech to New Zealand Parliament: You can be a mother ... you can lead, just like me