Besides rice, the best alternatives for drying a wet phone are silica gel packets, which are highly effective moisture absorbers, along with crystal cat litter, instant oatmeal, or couscous, placed in an airtight container for 48-72 hours; always turn the phone off first and avoid heat.
How do you get water out of your phone without rice?
Rice has traditionally been used to keep camera equipment and films dry in tropical environments, with Yankee magazine recommending in 1996 the use of uncooked rice as an "in a pinch" substitution for silica gel desiccant.
Don't use a hairdryer or other heat sources! This can damage any heat-sensitive components in your phone. If you can get hold of it, placing packs of silica gel or other similar drying agent around the phone is even better. Either way, leave the handset to dry out for at least 48 hours.
These usually take the form of those small, square packets that you find packed with electronics. You know, the “DO NOT EAT” stuff. These packets typically contain little beads of silica gel, which absorbs moisture around them. They work more quickly and efficiently than rice, and they are far less messy.
To dry your iPhone, tap it gently against your hand with the Lightning or USB-C connector facing down to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone in a dry area with some airflow. Placing your iPhone in front of a fan blowing cool air directly into the Lightning or USB-C connector might help the drying process.
Instead, try silica gel packets, like the ones that often come with new products such as a pair of shoes, as they've proven to be much more effective. Fill a plastic zip-top bag with silica gel packets and bury the phone in the bag. Leave your phone in the bag for 24–48 hours.
Do NOT blow compressed air on the phone. I would go for 48 hours drying time, but few users have the patience for this. Consider 24 hours as an absolute minimum, but longer would be better.
Fill a sealable bag with silca gel packets and entomb your phone for 24-48 hours. Silica gel is a moisture magnet, sucking out the water without the rice-grain invasion risk.
The fan should blow towards the charging port to help the drying process. Allow your phone to dry for at least a day before attempting to turn it on.
Is there anything I can use besides rice? The best option is silica gel, a drying agent that can absorb lots of moisture. Silica gel beads are typically found in packets that are included with products like beef jerky, seaweed sheets or sneakers to keep them dry. You can also buy them in bulk online.
Water can seep into the internals of your device through any small openings—be it the charging port, headphone jack, or even the speakers and buttons. This moisture can corrode metal components and short-circuit electrical pathways, leading to permanent damage if not addressed promptly.
Place the phone inside a container and fill it with silica gel packets. It is the best way to remove the moisture as silica gel packets have high absorbing properties, which quickly take the moisture out.
Moisture in your phone screen, charging port, camera lens, the headphone jack will dry out naturally if you can wait patiently. If not, use a vacuum cleaner to suction out the moisture or water from the phone. You may also seal your phone in a plastic bag with some packs of silica gel since it's a good water absorber.
Water quickly gets into materials like drywall and flooring, causing them to swell, warp, and change color. But not all damage happens right away. Leaks that aren't fixed can cause big problems over hours or days. It's key to act fast to prevent worse damage.
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If your device is excessively hot or was submerged in water, remove the phone case and SIM card as well as any chargers or earbuds and store it somewhere cool to dry off. Never place a hot or wet phone into a refrigerator or freezer.
The first thing people tend to think of when they need to dry out a phone is rice, because it absorbs moisture from its surroundings. However, silica gel packets are designed to draw moisture specifically from electronics, so they work even better (and aren't as likely to get stuck in your charge port).
After removing the moisture or impurities, leave your device to dry in a well-ventilated area or in the shade with cool air (from a fan). Air drying is recommended for devices that are waterlogged.
If you have access to a small vacuum cleaner, use it to gently suck out water from the phone's crevices. This can be more effective than blowing air into the phone, which can force water further inside. Make sure to use the vacuum on a low setting to avoid damaging any components.