Does putting your phone in rice work?

You’ve probably heard it before: dropped your phone in water? Stick it in a bowl of rice and wait for a miracle. But does it really work?

Well, the truth is – it doesn’t. Rice might soak up a tiny bit of moisture from the air, but it cannot remove water trapped inside your phone’s circuits. Your phone will not spring back to life simply because it is surrounded by grains.

So, what should you do if your phone gets wet?

1. Turn it off straight away. Water and electricity do not mix.
2. Take out the SIM card and any memory cards. They are easy to dry separately and could survive better on their own.
3. Wipe it down carefully with a soft cloth or towel. Avoid shaking it too much, water can move deeper inside.
4. Leave it to air-dry in a ventilated place. Silica gel packs can help if you have some, but simple air drying works too.
5. Do not charge it until you are certain it is completely dry. Trying to switch it on too early can fry the circuits.

Some modern phones come with water-resistance ratings, called IP certificates like IP67 or IP68. This shows how much water they can handle, such as brief splashes, rain, or shallow immersion for a short time. Quite a few of our phones are more or less water-resistant (see here), too, which gives extra peace of mind, but even these devices are not indestructible.

Rice is more of a comforting myth than a solution. Quick action, careful drying, and knowing your phone’s water-resistance rating will protect it far better.