What iPhones Are Waterproof?

One of the most common ways that phones get damaged is getting wet. Since water is a common natural element, protecting your devices against it can be tricky. Spills, condensation, rain, or a fall in the pool all happen frequently.

You'll have fewer water-damage concerns with a water-resistant phone. So it's important to find out if your phone is waterproof or not.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at what iPhones are waterproof and which ones aren’t.

What iPhones are WaterProof?

What iPhones are waterproof and how can you tell if your iPhone is waterproof? The short answer is: no smartphone is waterproof, not even your iPhone. And no, your

AirPods are not waterproof

, either.

Waterproof

implies that a device is completely indestructible by water. That would mean you could go snorkeling with your iPhone for hours and it would be just fine. As it stands, no smartphone is waterproof.

Though your iPhone may be

water-resistant

. This means they are designed to withstand liquid contact to a certain extent, but may still be damaged by water under certain conditions.

The difference between waterproof and water-resistant

isn't purely semantic, it makes all the difference when it comes to devices. If you’re spending big bucks on an iPhone, you need to be sure whether it can survive if you ever get caught in a downpour, or if you accidentally drop it in a toilet bowl.

Now we know that there are no waterproof iPhones, let’s look at which iPhones are water-resistant and to what extent.

How to Fix a Water-Damaged iPhone

Water-Resistant iPhone Models

The first water-resistant iPhones were the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. In 2016, Apple announced that both phones would be released with an IP67 water-resistant rating. This meant that they could survive in water at a maximum depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes.

The following releases—the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XR, and the iPhone SE (2nd Generation)—all received an IP67 rating as well.

The iPhone XS, XS Max, and 11 have an IP68 rating that allows them to resist liquid intrusion at a maximum depth of two meters for up to 30 minutes.

The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max have an IP68 rating, with Apple claiming that they can withstand up to four meters of water depth for 30 minutes.

The iPhone 12 and later are the most water-resistant iPhones Apple has produced so far. Also with IP68 ratings, they can survive being submerged in water as deep as six meters for 30 minutes.

What's more, every device from the iPhone XR onwards is resistant to spills from other liquids such as soda, beer, coffee, tea, and juice.

Of course, it raises eyebrows that the iPhone XS Max and later all have IP68 ratings but varying levels of water resistance.

Here’s

how IP ratings work

: standard testing for water resistance does not provide an exact depth. IP68 simply means the phones have been tested at depths more than one meter and found to be undamaged. Precise durations and depths are left to the manufacturers.

Apple’s claims are, therefore, likely to be more accurate than the IP rating.

What Activities Can Water-Resistant iPhones Handle?

Armed with this info about the water-resistant capabilities of your iPhone, you may be tempted to bring your device with you on a swim to take some cool underwater selfies.

Don’t.

A new iPhone’s water resistance is ensured by seals and gaskets that block the ports and other openings. However, these seals can weaken over time due to normal wear or tear, and there’s no concrete way of confirming that they are still effective.

Apple gives no guidelines as to when this protection expires, so your iPhone’s water resistance is really up to guesswork. Some phones come out of the factory with defects, so they may even be missing these seals.

To be safe, keep your iPhone away from water completely. At most, you can be consoled that your iPhone will probably be fine if it accidentally falls in a toilet bowl or if you’re caught in a light downpour.

Even

Apple

recommends that you

avoid

using your iPhone if you are:

Swimming, bathing, or using a sauna or steam room

Exposing the device to pressurized or high-velocity water (e.g. showering, jet-skiing, or surfing)

Cleaning the device with pressurized air

Intentionally submerging the device for any reason

Using the iPhone outside of the recommended temperature or humidity ranges

In other words, Apple is saying “Dunk your iPhone underwater at your own risk.”

What to Do If Your Phone Gets Wet

If your iPhone gets wet from water, turn it off and try to get it as dry as possible. If it gets wet from any liquid other than water, rinse your iPhone under clean water, then

clean your iPhone

off with a soft cloth and dry it as much as you can.

To dry your iPhone, tap it gently against your hand with the charging port facing down to remove excess liquid. You could also place your iPhone in front of a fan to help the drying process.

Don’t dry your iPhone with an external heat source. And don't stick a foreign component, such as a cotton swab or a paper towel, into the Lightning charging port.

Also, don't disassemble the device yourself. Doing so may end up damaging the protective parts of the iPhone.

If the damage seems severe, take your iPhone to an expert for repairs.

Water Damage Is Not Covered by Apple’s Warranty

Despite Apple’s water-resistant claims, the company’s warranty doesn't cover any water damage.

Some people think that Apple would not know for sure if they take a water-damaged iPhone to be repaired under warranty coverage. However, many smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, have built-in indicators that allow them to see if the phone has been in contact with water.

These are called Liquid Contact Indicators (LCIs). Depending on the model, the LCI is hidden in the iPhone’s SIM slot or headphone slot. If the iPhone has not had any contact with water, the LCI should be white. iPhones that have been spilled on or dunked in water will have red LCIs.

If Apple sees that the LCI is red, the damage will not be covered by them.

Is My iPhone Still Water-Resistant After Repairs?

If you replace any iPhone parts at an Apple-approved outlet, your water resistance should still be intact. However, third-party repairs could result in your iPhone losing its water-resistant capabilities.

When the device is opened, the waterproof seal gets broken and it needs to be replaced to ensure water resistance.

Most people prefer third-party repairers because they offer lower prices than Apple-accredited technicians. Apple-approved repairs cost a pretty penny, but you can be sure that you will get what you pay for in the form of high-grade replacement parts and qualified technicians.

If you do decide to take your iPhone to a third-party service provider, be sure to confirm that they properly replaced the sealant strips. Sadly, there’s no way to know for sure; you would have to take the technician at their word.

Want a Waterproof iPhone? Get a Case

If you want to fortify your iPhone against all liquid intrusion, your best bet is to get a waterproof iPhone case. You can find heavy-duty waterproof iPhone cases online, and they offer more protection than Apple’s vague water-resistance promises.

Without a waterproof case, keep your iPhone away from liquids to prevent its untimely demise.

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