It is a little-known fact that toilets are magnetized and attract and swallow up iPhones. This is confirmed by scientific evidence compiled by this researcher in his own home. This has been colleague reviewed and scientifically confirmed by research conducted by other reliable sources in real time. The data is conclusive, all toilets have a powerful magnetic field surrounding them.

Back in the year that iPhone 5 made its debut, I purchased that model as my first smart phone. I was new to the digital revolution then well into multiple generations around the county, and indeed around the world. I was now the proud owner of a device that settled my mind knowing that I was just a couple of finger-touches away from emergency contacts, calls to and from family, and a pocket camera I always had with me. My relief was palpable.

My usage began with me routinely keeping my iPhone in the breast pocket of any shirt I was wearing that day. It was convenient and readily accessible, even when I was wearing a sweater or sweatshirt. Easy-peasy was the order at all times.

Then, one day the dark and sinister powers of the toilet brought my ease to a grinding halt. Some two years after that initial purchase of an iPhone, I was in the bathroom, and bent over and my iPhone flipped out of my pocket and sank in the waters of the toilet. Surprisingly, my reaction time was in the micro-seconds, and I quickly had my phone out of the water and in my hand. I dried it off, placed it in a bowl of rice for a couple of days, because that was the preferred procedure with a wet smart phone. However, this measure did not work, and I found that the phone would not turn on, let alone boot up. In desperation, I took it to a local repair shop that serviced Apple devices, and after a quick survey of the limp phone, was told that the water had penetrated the device, and there was nothing that could be done to save or repair it, short of buying a new iPhone.

I purchased the then new iPhone 7, just out. Because I am a quick learner, at least in some quarters, I found a technique to prevent what happened to my iPhone 5 from happening with my new iPhone. I continued to keep my phone in the breast pocket of my shirt, but as a preventative measure anytime I entered any bathroom, I take it out and set it on the counter-top where it would be safe. I take care of business, and on my way out of the bathroom pick up my phone and return it to my pocket. I had outfoxed and mastered and beaten the dark powers of the magnetic toilet. Never again.

However, one day as I entered the bathroom at home, I pulled my phone out of my breast-pocket, and I must have pulled it rather vigorously, as it flew out of my hand, bounced off the counter-top, and scored a three-point swisher from half-court right in the toilet. Damn…!

Everyone knows that sinking feeling one has on seeing something like this slipping below the surface of waters in the toilet. Only in later hindsight, was I thankful the bowl had not been just used.

As in the previous incident, once again my instincts kicked in and within a nano-second I had retrieved my iPhone 7 from what I thought of as its watery grave. I dried it off, and as I’d done before set it in a bowl of rice to dry it out. I Googled the iPhone 7 and it’s abilities to repel water, and learned that this model wasn’t considered “water-proof,” but “water-resistant.” This iteration would resist penetration by moisture if underwater for up to 30 minutes, after which there were no guarantees. Apparently, the only damage would be a slight problem with the speaker system, causing music and conversation to sound tinny, but otherwise it should be fine. So, just the micro-second immersion of my iPhone 7 should be all right. And, as time proved, that was the case.

The phone did turn on, and booted up with no observable difficulties. All its functions worked readily, and everything worked just fine.

My Learning: I continue to take my phone out of my pocket on entering any bathroom, and set it on the counter-top for safety. However, do not let your guard down, because as I’ve proven beyond a reasonable doubt, all toilets are magnetic and will swallow up your smart phone at any chance presented – Beware…