Water damage is one of the most common ways that iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices can become damaged. Unfortunately, water and electronics don’t mix well. If an Apple device gets wet, it can cause all sorts of issues, from malfunctioning buttons and glitchy screens to complete failure of the device. This leaves many Apple device owners wondering: does Apple fix water damage for free?
The Quick Answer
In most cases, no, Apple does not fix water damage for free. The vast majority of water damage repairs for iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and other Apple devices are not covered under Apple’s standard warranty or AppleCare+ coverage. Unless the damage occurred due to a defect in manufacturing or materials, Apple considers water damage to be the result of accidental damage, which has a fee for repair or replacement.
Apple’s Warranty Coverage
To understand Apple’s policy on water damage, it’s important to first understand what their standard warranty and AppleCare+ extended warranty cover. Here’s a quick overview:
- Apple’s standard 1-year limited warranty covers defects in manufacturing and materials only. Any damage due to accidents or misuse is not covered.
- The optional AppleCare+ extended warranty provides up to 2 years of coverage for accidental damage, with a service fee per repair incident.
- For iPhone, the AppleCare+ fee is $29 for screen damage or $99 for any other damage.
- For iPad, the AppleCare+ fee is $49 for any accidental damage.
- For Mac, the AppleCare+ fee is $99 for any damage.
As you can see, neither the standard warranty nor AppleCare+ provide free coverage for water damage. The standard warranty excludes it completely, while AppleCare+ requires a paid fee per repair or replacement.
Is Any Water Damage Covered?
There are a few rare scenarios where water damage may be covered by Apple for free:
- Defect causes water damage: If there was a manufacturing or materials defect that allowed water to get inside and damage the device, Apple will cover the repair under the standard 1-year warranty.
- Device advertised as waterproof: Some Apple watches are advertised as waterproof or water resistant. If one of those models gets water damage from normal use within its advertised limits, Apple will honor the warranty.
- Extreme rare goodwill: Occasionally Apple may make a one-time exception and cover water damage as a goodwill gesture. But this is extremely rare and not something to expect.
However, these types of scenarios are few and far between. The vast majority of the time, if an Apple device sustains water damage, there will be a repair fee if you want Apple to fix it.
AppleCare+ Coverage Details
Since AppleCare+ offers the only official Apple water damage coverage option, it’s worth looking at the details of what it covers:
- Covers accidental damage from spills and immersion in water or other liquids up to specified limits.
- For iPhone, covers up to 2 incidents of accidental damage with deductible fee per repair.
- For iPad, covers up to 2 incidents of damage with one fee to repair any damage.
- For Mac, covers up to 2 incidents of damage with deductible fee per repair.
- Must purchase AppleCare+ within 60 days of getting your device.
- Extends regular warranty up to 2 years from original purchase date.
- Does not need to be purchased for each device – one plan covers all devices on account.
As you can see, AppleCare+ is really the only way to get any amount of Apple coverage for water or liquid damage. And even then, you have to pay the applicable deductible fee for each repair or replacement.
Cost of Water Damage Repair
If you don’t have AppleCare+ and need to pay Apple’s out-of-warranty cost for water damage repair, here is an overview of typical fees:
| Device | Typical Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| iPhone Battery | $49 |
| iPhone Screen | $129 |
| iPhone Other Damage | $229 |
| iPad Screen | $299 |
| iPad Other Damage | $299 |
| MacBook Screen | $299 |
| MacBook Other Damage | $299+ |
As you can see, water damage repair costs can add up quickly without AppleCare+ protection. The costs typically range from $229 to $299 or more, depending on the device and extent of the damage. These prices make AppleCare+ a wise investment for anyone worried about potential water damage incidents.
Third-Party Repair Options
Because Apple’s water damage repair costs are so expensive, many people consider third-party repair shops instead. Here are some things to keep in mind with third-party water damage repair:
- Cost is usually 40-60% less than Apple repair pricing.
- Quality can vary greatly between repair shops.
- May void any remaining Apple warranty coverage.
- Risk of low quality components or improper repair techniques.
- Often cannot get original Apple parts, only aftermarket.
The lower prices of third-party repair are appealing. But you risk getting lower quality repairs that may not properly fix your device or even cause new issues. Be sure to carefully vet any third-party repair shop before using them for water damage fixes.
DIY Repair Options
Some Apple device owners attempt to fix water damage themselves rather than paying Apple or a third-party shop. Here are some considerations for DIY water damage repair:
- Requires technical skill and proper tools.
- High likelihood of completely destroying device if done wrong.
- Difficult or impossible to find authentic Apple replacement parts.
- Void any remaining warranty from Apple.
- Unlikely to achieve proper waterproofing without right materials.
Unless you have electronics repair experience and the right equipment, DIY water damage repair is extremely difficult and risky. Even if you seemingly fix the issue, it’s unlikely your repair will withstand future moisture exposure.
Preventing Water Damage
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some tips to help prevent water damage to your Apple device:
- Use a waterproof case for outdoor use or in risky settings near water.
- Attach a floating strap to your device if using near open water.
- Keep away from moisture sources like sinks, tubs, pools, puddles, etc.
- Never use device in the rain, storm, or other precipitation.
- Don’t use device with wet or damp hands.
- Protect against unexpected spills by keeping away from open containers.
- Never charge device near moisture sources.
Making it a habit to keep your Apple devices away from water and moisture can help avoid costly water damage down the road. An ounce of prevention really is the most effective way to avoid steep repair costs.
Drying Out a Wet Device
If your Apple device does get wet, quick action can sometimes save it before permanent water damage occurs. Here are some dos and don’ts if your device gets doused:
- DO: Immediately power off the device and do not try to turn it on.
- DO: Dry the device exterior with a clean, soft cloth.
- DO: Place the device in front of a fan to air dry for at least 24 hours.
- DO NOT: Use a hairdryer or other heat source to dry – this can damage components.
- DO NOT: Use cleaning products, chemicals, or disassembling – this can destroy the device.
The key is to be gentle and patient and allow the device to thoroughly air dry before attempting to use it again. Even if it seems to work initially, residual moisture inside can rapidly cause corrosion and permanent damage unless fully dried.
Conclusion
The vast majority of the time, water damage repair for Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and Watches is not covered for free. Except for rare manufacturing defects that led to water intrusion, Apple considers water damage to be accidental and charges accordingly for out-of-warranty repair.
To get any amount of water damage protection, investing in AppleCare+ is highly recommended. It provides coverage for up to two incidents, subject to a deductible fee per repair. Without it, Apple’s repair fees can quickly climb into the $200 to $300+ range.
Preventing exposure to moisture in the first place is the best way to avoid costly water damage incidents. But if it does occur, power off the device immediately, dry thoroughly with air before use, and take it to Apple right away for assessment. With quick action, some minor water exposure can potentially be remedied before permanent major damage sets in.