Do Indians Really Save Water Damaged Phones in Rice

Smartphones have become an everyday necessity, making even a small accident feel stressful. A recent study has highlighted just how frequently Indian users deal with damaged phones and the unusual methods they use to keep them working.

The study titled The Great Indian Smartphone Protection Crisis, conducted by OneAssist and Hansa Research, found that 82 percent of Indian smartphone users have dropped their phone at least once. Around 72 percent said they had experienced some form of accidental damage.

One of the more surprising findings concerns water damaged phones. According to the study, 29 percent of respondents said they had tried putting a wet phone in rice in the hope of bringing it back to life. The method has been passed around as a household trick for years, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed repair solution.

Using tape and other temporary fixes is also fairly common. Between 20 percent and 32 percent of respondents said they had relied on tape or similar makeshift solutions after their phones were damaged. The figures suggest that many users would rather keep an old phone running than immediately spend money on a repair or replacement.

The emotional impact of a damaged phone is another notable part of the study. About 35 percent of respondents said they felt panic immediately after dropping their phone. Around 24 percent said phone damage had even led to an argument with someone, while 15 percent reported cancelling plans after their device was damaged.

Women reported a higher rate of accidental drops than men. The study found that 94 percent of women had accidentally dropped a smartphone at some point, compared with 80 percent of men. Accidental damage was also reported by 79 percent of women and 71 percent of men.

Despite the frequency of these incidents, only around 6 percent to 8 percent of respondents were found to have an active smartphone protection plan. This gap indicates that many users remain exposed to repair or replacement costs even though accidental damage is relatively common.

So, should a water damaged phone really be placed in rice? It is better not to rely on the popular trick. If a phone gets wet, continuing to use it or connecting it to a charger can potentially make the damage worse. The safer approach is to switch the device off and seek professional assistance when necessary.

This is especially important if water has reached components such as the charging port, battery or display. A quick household fix may seem convenient, but professional inspection is usually a safer choice when the phone shows signs of serious water damage.