Phone dropped in water: should you put it in rice?

Air beats rice. And patience beats the charger.

The answer in 2 lines. No: rice doesn't dry a phone better than open air, and its dust and starch can get into the charging port. Get the phone out, wipe it, tap it gently with the port facing down, and leave it to dry somewhere dry with some airflow. Don't charge it while it's wet: Apple says to wait at least 30 minutes, and up to a day if a liquid alert persists. If it gets hot, swells, hisses or smokes, move away from it.

The first 3 steps

Get it out of the water fast, and unplug it if it was charging, after cutting power first if the outlet or charger is in the water.
Take off the case, wipe it with a soft cloth, then tap it gently against your hand with the charging port facing down to let water out.
Leave it to dry in a dry spot with some airflow. Wait before charging: at least 30 minutes, often longer, and up to a day if a liquid-detection alert remains.

Stop: danger

Phone fell in water while plugged in: don't reach into the water. Unplug the charger from the wall or turn off the breaker first, then pick it up.
Phone gets hot, swells, hisses or smokes after getting wet: put it on a non-flammable surface away from anything that can burn, and move away. Fire or heavy smoke: leave and call 911 (New York State: lithium-ion battery safety).
Don't puncture or press on a swollen battery, and don't charge it (iFixit: what to do with a swollen battery).

Why not rice

Rice doesn't pull water out of the inside of a phone any faster than air does.
Its grains and starch dust can lodge in the charging port, speaker and microphone openings.
Apple tells iPhone owners explicitly not to put the phone in a bag of rice (Apple Support: if you see a liquid-detection alert on your iPhone; CBS News report, February 2024).

What you can do yourself, and where to stop

If your phone isn't water-resistant and still works, turn it off to limit short circuits.
After salt water, pool water or a sugary drink: Samsung advises rinsing water-resistant Galaxy phones gently in fresh water, then drying them (Samsung US: protect your Galaxy after water exposure). Follow your own model's guide.
Pop out the SIM tray to let air in, if it's easy.
Stop there: no hair dryer, heater, oven or microwave. No cotton swabs or paper in the port. Don't open the phone.

Water-resistant or not?

Many recent phones are water-resistant to a rating such as IP67 or IP68, listed in their specs. Google publishes the ratings and limits for Pixel phones (Pixel Phone Help).
That resistance fades with age, drops and repairs: it's never guaranteed for life, and it doesn't cover salt water, chlorine, soap or hot water unless the maker says so.

When to get it repaired

After a day of drying, it won't turn on, the screen has spots, the sound is muffled, or the liquid alert won't go away.
It went into salt water, dirty water or a sugary drink.
It gets hot, swells or smells burnt: see the Stop box above.
Act fast: corrosion keeps going over time. Ask for a written estimate before any work.

Prevent the next one

Back up your phone regularly (iCloud, Google One or your computer): if it dies, you don't lose photos and contacts.
A waterproof pouch for the beach or the pool saves a lot of trouble.
Avoid using it in the shower or bath, even if it's water-resistant.

In the US: warranty and insurance

Manufacturer's warranty: the standard limited warranty usually doesn't cover liquid damage, because it isn't a manufacturing defect.
AppleCare+ and similar plans: they cover accidental damage, including liquid, for a service fee per claim. Check what yours covers and the fee before you file (AppleCare+ coverage options). Samsung Care+ and carrier insurance plans work the same way, with their own deductibles.
Phone insurance from your carrier or credit card: some cards include cell phone protection if you pay your phone bill with them, often with exclusions. Read the terms, and file quickly.
Homeowners or renters insurance: it may cover a phone, but the deductible often makes a claim not worth it.
A dispute with a repair shop: complain in writing, then contact your state attorney general's consumer protection office: pick your state in FindLaw's list of state consumer protection offices and use the complaint form on that office's website.

In Tampa, Ashley drops her phone in a sink full of water. She pulls it out right away, wipes it, taps it port-down and leaves it by an open window, no rice. When she plugs it in, a liquid alert appears: she waits until the next morning. It charges normally.

A made-up story, for illustration.

The numbers (latest published)

30 minutes at least before charging, and up to 24 hours for moisture to clear, according to Apple's support page (checked November 1, 2026).
No US statistic on phones damaged by water was found from a public source as of November 1, 2026: we don't quote one.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on November 1, 2026, for the United States. Confidence: high for drying and charging advice (Apple, Samsung, Google support pages) and for battery safety (New York State); medium for warranty and insurance, which depend on your plan and model: read your own terms. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis.