Does rice work to dry a wet smartphone?

Surely you've ever heard that rice is a good solution to extract moisture from a wet mobile. It is even likely that you have used it with better or worse luck. But How much is there of truth and how much is there of myth?. Today in Androidsis We are going to try to clear your doubts and explain some things to keep in mind.

Currently it is increasingly common to see smartphones that offer water resistance on the market. Although if you think that this way you will be calm with liquids, do not trust them all. Before relaxing with your smartphone near liquids make sure what type of «IP» certification the device has. 

There is some totally irreparable liquid damage

If your smartphone is not certified with some kind of protection against liquids, you have to know a few things. If you have been unlucky enough to have your phone submerged in the sea, it is very likely to suffer serious damage. The bad thing about getting wet is not the water per se, is that it can deteriorate components essential for its operation.

Sea water, due to its high percentage in salinity, causes even more damage to appliances with electronic components. But if it has only been milder, or no more than a few splashes, there may be a possibility. The liquid that causes the least damage is the water itself. Sugary drinks, or coffee with milk, for example, can be more harmful.

But let's focus on saving a smartphone that has gotten wet from disaster. Of all the properties of rice to absorb moisture are known. Therefore, for years It is recommended to use it if our smartphone has been damaged by liquids. Put it in a closed jar or bag with rice can make our device recover and work again.

Although you have to know that rice does not work miracles. While it is true that the rice will "dry out" our device, If an electronic component has been damaged by wetting it, this will not be the solution.. Therefore it is confirmed, rice can make a wet smartphone recover and work again after a dip. But it will not work for all cases.

Helpful tips if your smartphone gets wet

The first thing you should do, if it is still on is to turn it off as soon as possible. In the same way, If you see that when it gets wet it has turned off, do not turn it on. If it occurs a short circuit we could burn the motherboard or cause some damage that we cannot repair. Yes you can remove the battery, do it. And also remove the SIM and SD cards if I had them.

Once separated all the pieces as far as possible dry them. It is not advisable to use a hairdryer. If we apply more heat than necessary, we could burn or even melt a component that was not even damaged. So with a cloth, towel or kitchen paper much better.

And now yes, the rice. When we have dried all the parts separately it is time for the rice. Ideally a jar with lid or airtight bag. In this way the absorption will be greater and the result will be better. And if we can put the pot on a surface that provides heat even better. It is surprising the work that rice does and how it can dry a device that was soaked.

However How long do you have to leave a wet smartphone in rice?. Ideally, to achieve the maximum level of drying are twenty four hours. It is assumed that in that time, the rice grains are able to absorb all the moisture. And as we say, depending on the level of wet and liquid, you can recover, or not, a smartphone that got wet.

After these steps you can put everything back in its place and cross your fingers. It is time to turn it on. If the water or liquid has not caused further damage it will only have been a scare. So if by following these tips your wet smartphone does not recover, it is sure that it has suffered some more serious damage.