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Is my iPhone waterproof? What water resistant means

No iPhone is waterproof. What IP67 and IP68 mean, why resistance wears off, and what to do if it gets wet.

Guide

Written by Ali, who has been fixing electronic devices since 2019. Updated .

No iPhone is waterproof. Newer iPhones are water resistant, which means they can survive splashes and short accidental drops in water, not regular swimming or soaking. Water resistance also gets weaker over time, so don’t rely on it.

What IP67 and IP68 mean

Water resistance is measured with an IP rating. The two numbers mean:

  • First number (6): dust tight. No dust gets in under test conditions.
  • Second number (7 or 8): how well it resists water. 7 means it was tested in up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes. 8 means it was tested deeper or for longer, to a depth set by the maker.

Most iPhones from the iPhone 7 onwards have an IP67 or IP68 rating. Older models, and the original iPhone SE, have no water resistance rating.

These tests use still, fresh water in a lab. Real life is different. Pool water, sea water, drinks, soap, hot water in a shower and water at pressure, such as diving in, can all get past the seals more easily.

Why water resistance fades

The seals that keep water out are adhesive and rubber gaskets. They weaken over time because of:

  • age and normal wear
  • drops and knocks, which can bend the frame or crack the glass
  • heat, which softens the adhesive
  • repairs, because opening the phone breaks the original seal

A phone that was water resistant when new may not be after two or three years.

Is water damage covered by Apple’s warranty?

In general, Apple’s standard warranty doesn’t cover liquid damage, even on a water-resistant iPhone. Check your own cover, including any insurance or AppleCare plan, for the details.

What to do if your iPhone gets wet

  1. Take it out of the water and switch it off.
  2. Don’t charge it until it’s been checked. If it shows a liquid detected warning, unplug it.
  3. Take off the case and wipe the outside dry.
  4. Don’t put it in rice or use a hairdryer. See does putting a wet phone in rice work?
  5. Get it checked if it was in salt water, a drink, or under for more than a moment.

There’s more detail in phone dropped in water? The first hour.

Water damage checks in Nuneaton

If your iPhone has been in water, bring it to Ezone Repairs at 9 Harefield Road, Nuneaton CV11 4HA, or call 024 7634 1341. We check it and quote before any work starts. If it won’t turn on and you need the photos, see data recovery. See water damaged phone repair.

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