Why you shouldn't put your smartphone in rice when it has fallen into the water

Immersing your wet smartphone in rice is not necessarily a good idea. Arthit Pornpikanet/Getty Images

Contrary to popular belief, placing your smartphone in a pile of rice after it has just taken on water is not recommended. Small particles could indeed enter the device and damage it. But then, what should be done to prevent the device, soaked, from being permanently out of service ?

Even if some high-end smartphones claim to be waterproof (see their IP 67 or 68 protection index), dropping your phone in water always presents a risk. And, for that, you don't need a packet of rice.

Received idea ?

After turning off your device, place it in a dry, well-ventilated place. You can then start to tap it gently, with the connector at the bottom, in order to evacuate most of the infiltrated water. You can also wipe it with a paper towel or soft cloth, taking care not to insert any foreign body (paper, fabric) into the connector. Although it may seem obvious, never try to use a hairdryer or microwave to remove the last traces of moisture!

After about thirty minutes of rest, it is time to plug in the charger and check that the smartphone and its charging system are working properly again. If it doesn't work yet, you'll have to be patient. But if after 24 hours, nothing happens, the smartphone is probably indeed damaged.

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