Wet Michigan iPhones and the Risks of the Rice Bag ‘Hack’ Exposed

Dropping your phone in a body of water. It happens to the best of us and when it does you truly learn how dependent you are on a piece of technology. But is Michigan's goto 'hack' of throwing a soaked phone into a dry bag of rice really good for it?

Related: FEDS Warn Michigan Residents: DO NOT Carry This in Your Wallet

Apple has stepped up to the plate and let us know exactly what to do, and what not to do when your phone decides to go for a swim, with or without you.

Michigan's 'Rice Bag Hack' May Damage Your Water Soaked Phone

You read that right. Even though you feel like MacGyver when you throw your phone in a bag of rice and wait for it to 'work its magic', you may be drying it out, but you could also be damaging it further. According to Apple Support, the best way to dry your phone should you get it waterlogged is to

Tap your iPhone gently against your hand with the connector facing down to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone in a dry area with some airflow.

Once you're done tapping your phone dry, Apple suggests leaving it in a dry area for at least 30 minutes before attempting to plug it in. If it won't take a charge, it may take up to 24 hours to fully dry out.

Apple then specifically points out what NOT to do, calling out the rice bag trick as potentially harmful,

Don’t put your iPhone in a bag of rice. Doing so could allow small particles of rice to damage your iPhone.

Those small particles can get into your charging port and ruin your phone's charging ports or the lightning/USB C cord. The tech giant also warns Michiganders against using other objects, including Q-Tips and paper towels for the same reason.

Couple together Michigan's notoriously humid summers and the need to jump in a lake to cool off, and you're bound to get someone who forgot they had their phone in their pocket.

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While it's drying, don't forget to try wireless charging, that may still work even if the port doesn't. Happy drying Michigan!