It happens in a split second. A slip of the hand, an accidental knock, or just not paying attention—and SPLASH. Your phone is in the sink, the pool, or the toilet. Your heart sinks and panic sets in.
If you’re searching “phone fell in water” or “how to dry a wet phone,” you’re not alone. The first thing most people hear is: “Put it in a bag of rice!”
It’s the oldest trick in the book. But here’s the truth: rice is a myth—and it can actually make water damage worse by adding dust to your charging port and speakers.
Below is a fast “do this now” checklist, then a deeper breakdown of why you should never put a wet phone in rice and the correct steps for iPhone water damage and Android water damage.
Quick Checklist: What to Do If Your Phone Gets Wet
- Turn the phone OFF (immediately).
- Do NOT charge it and do NOT press buttons to “test it.”
- Remove the case, SIM tray, and memory card (if you have one).
- Wipe it dry on the outside (gentle—no shaking).
- Air dry 24–48 hours in a ventilated spot (fan in the room is fine).
- Never use rice, heat (hair dryer/oven), or canned air.
Why Putting Your Phone in Rice Is a Bad Idea
Reason #1: Rice Works Way Too Slowly
When water gets inside a phone, it can start corroding tiny internal components. Corrosion (rust) is what causes permanent water damage.
Rice absorbs moisture, but it does it very slowly. It can take days to pull out a little water—while corrosion can start much sooner. You’re racing the clock, and rice is a slow runner.
Reason #2: Rice Leaves Dust That Can Cause New Problems
Uncooked rice carries a fine starchy dust (like flour). That dust can get into your phone’s openings and create brand-new problems—especially charging issues and muffled speaker sound.
- It can clog your charging port: Rice dust can pack into the port, making the charger not fit or preventing charging. Forcing it can damage the pins.
- It can block speakers and the microphone: Dust can clog tiny holes, making audio muffled and calls harder to hear.
“Don’t put your iPhone in a bag of rice. Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.”
More proof: Tests from Gazelle and The Verge found rice is one of the least effective methods for drying a water-damaged phone.
What You Should Do Instead
These steps are the safest, most reliable way to handle a wet phone and reduce the risk of corrosion, charging failure, and speaker damage.
The Right Way to Save a Water-Damaged Phone
- Turn it off immediately.
Power + water can cause a short circuit. Don’t test it—just shut it down.- Wipe it down and remove what you can.
Dry the outside. Remove the case, SIM tray, and memory card (if any). Do not shake the phone—shaking can push water deeper inside.- Air dry for 24–48 hours (minimum).
Place it on a dry towel in a ventilated spot. A fan in the room helps. Avoid pointing strong airflow directly into ports.Important: Do not use rice, heat (hair dryer/oven/heater), or canned air. Heat can warp components; canned air can push moisture deeper.
Extra Tip: If Your Phone Speaker Sounds Muffled After Water
Even after drying, sound can stay quiet if moisture is trapped in the speaker grille. If your speaker is still muffled, you can try a safe audio-based approach after the phone is dry to help clear remaining moisture.