How to tell if your iPhone is waterproof or water-resistant, and to what extent

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• The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, introduced in 2016, were the first water-resistant iPhones released by Apple. Every iPhone released since has also been water-resistant.
• Note, however, that water-resistant isn’t the same as waterproof. Any iPhone can still be damaged by heavy or frequent water exposure.
• With AppleCare+ up to two water damage accidents are covered, but you might have to pay an extra fee for the repairs.
• Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Your iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus is not waterproof. Neither are any of the newer phones the company has released, all the way up to the iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The difference between waterproof and water-resistant is the difference between a piece of hardware that won’t break even with extended exposure to water, and one that almost surely will.

Here’s how to tell how water-resistant your iPhone is.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 7 (From $349.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone 7 Plus (From $449.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone 8 (From $449.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone 8 Plus (From $549.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone X (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone XR (From $599.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone XS (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone XS Max (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone 11 Pro (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone 11 Pro Max (From $1,099.99 at Best Buy)

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus were the first water-resistant iPhones

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were the first iPhones rated as IP67, which means the phones are resistant to splashe,s and can be submerged in just over three feet of fresh water for up to 30 minutes without damage.

Subsequent iPhone models, including the 8, 8 Plus, X, and XR have the same IP67 rating. But Apple took this water resistance further with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and now with the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max.

The iPhone 11 series and the iPhone XS series are slightly more water-resistant than previous models

In case you were wondering, the latest iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max all have a water resistance rating of IP68, the same as the previous iPhone XS and XS Max. This means that they can withstand a 30 minute exposure in a little more than six feet of fresh water. (I’d still recommend using your smartphone primarily on dry land, though. Or at least on a boat.)

Now, you might think that if your phone can be underwater for a half hour, you don’t have much to worry about from a bit of rain or a spilled glass of water. And you probably don’t, in fact, but it’s better to play it safe. Apple’s warranty does not cover issues caused by water, so if your phone is damaged by water despite that water resistance, you’re left holding the bag, so to speak.

And over time, the water-resistant capabilities of your phone wear down. The rubber gaskets that seal out liquid at the lightning cable port, the SIM card slot, and around the buttons slowly degrades, losing water-blocking ability.

Also note that when we talk about water resistance, we’re talking about clean freshwater, as far as Apple is concerned. They make no claims about the phone’s resistance to damage caused by salt water or any other liquids, like coffee, motor oil, or Red Bull, to name a few of the fluids out there other than pure water.

Prevent damage after your phone gets wet

And one note you need to make sure to remember: after your iPhone gets wet, whether from rain, a spilled beverage, or a total toilet submersion, don’t plug anything into it until you are certain it’s dry again. Connecting a charger or headphones via a wet port may cause serious damage.

Apple recommends waiting at least five hours before plugging anything in.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

• How to save audio messages on your iPhone, and change your settings so audio messages won’t delete after 2 minutes

• How to share your location between an iPhone and Android phone with Google Maps

• ‘Why won’t my iPhone camera work?’: How to fix your iPhone camera if it’s malfunctioning

• How to add faces to the Photos app on an iPhone, and automatically group your photos by who’s in them

• How to easily view your flight’s status on an iPhone using the Search bar

SEE ALSO: The best iPhone for every type of person and budget

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