It can happen at any time: your smartphone decides to become a diver, ends up underwater, and its owner enters a nervous crisis. Quickly he goes online with another device or consults friends to know what to do with a wet phone, and the number one recommendation is to put it in a bag or container with rice. The hypothesis behind this action is interesting… but in practice, it doesn't work. Why? The folks at iFixit explain.
We already know well that electronics and water (or to be more precise, moisture) don't mix unless certain conditions are met. Washing a PCB is possible (many professionals use ultrasonic cleaners, and the main fluid is distilled water), but you must take care to displace all moisture before activating its power source.
When a smartphone ends up wet (whether partially or completely), the first suggestion is to cover it with rice and leave it there for 24 hours. The hypothesis indicates that rice grains act as receptors for moisture, and that displacement from the electronics to the grains saves the phone. The problem is that it doesn't work as we think.
Why Rice Doesn't Work
The folks at iFixit (known for their fabulous repair kits and tutorials) spoke with Jessa Jones from iPadRehab, who has seen a good share of submerged tablets and phones. The first thing we must understand is that corrosion acts instantly when it touches a phone, and the second is that placing it in rice only gives corrosion time to advance. Yes, sometimes we get lucky and the phone responds after a dip, but corrosion continues doing its thing on solder joints and connectors.
The Real Solution
The real solution, or to be technically correct, the most complete one, goes against our instinct: don't let the phone dry. You have to completely disassemble the phone, removing the battery, SIM card, and memory cards. With the exception of the screen and cameras, all its parts (especially the motherboard) should receive a session of 90 percent isopropyl alcohol, using a soft toothbrush.
What do we do with 'sealed' phones that don't have a removable battery? The answer is exactly the same, and that's when everyone takes the rice shortcut. Why? Because some phones require specialized tools for their opening. If you don't have the resources (technical or financial) to open the phone, the priority is to blow and suck out as much liquid as possible, let the device finish drying in the open air (or assisted by a small fan), and cross your fingers. That will be more effective than rice.
Source: iFixit
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