AppleCare is Apple’s warranty program that provides additional coverage and support for Apple devices like the iPhone. One common issue iPhone users face is accidental water damage, which can be costly to repair if not covered by a warranty. This article will examine whether AppleCare for iPhones covers water damage and the steps to take if an iPhone is exposed to water.
AppleCare Overview
AppleCare is Apple’s protection plan that provides additional hardware coverage and technical support for Apple devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. There are different AppleCare plans available depending on the device.
For iPhone, there are two main AppleCare options: AppleCare+ and AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss. AppleCare+ covers your iPhone for accidental damage, like cracked screens or water damage, with each incident subject to a service fee. AppleCare+ coverage lasts for two years from the original purchase date of your iPhone. The Theft and Loss plan adds up to two incidents of theft or loss coverage every 12 months, with a deductible per claim.
All AppleCare plans extend the complimentary 90-day phone support that comes with iPhone to cover the length of the plan. AppleCare+ also adds 24/7 priority access to support advisors by chat or phone. In addition to tech support, AppleCare includes hardware coverage like battery service at no additional cost if needed.
For full details on AppleCare plans, terms, and eligibility for iPhone, visit Apple’s support page.
Water Damage Protection
Water damage is not covered under the standard one-year limited warranty that comes with iPhones. However, AppleCare+ plans do provide some protection against water damage for iPhone models. According to discussions on the Apple support forums, the original AppleCare+ plan covers up to two incidents of accidental damage, including water damage, subject to a service fee.
For more recent iPhones like the iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14 models, the AppleCare+ plan with Theft and Loss also covers water damage with a lower service fee compared to previous AppleCare+ plans. According to the Apple discussions thread, water damage claims require a $29 service fee for iPhone 13 and newer models under AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss.
So in summary, water damage is not covered under the standard warranty, but is covered under AppleCare+ plans for a service fee that varies based on the iPhone model and specific AppleCare+ plan.
Liquid Contact Indicators
Apple iPhones contain small liquid contact indicators that detect water damage. These indicators are tiny paper-like stickers located inside the SIM card slot, which change color when they come into contact with water or moisture (Apple Support, 2022). The liquid contact indicator normally appears white or silver. However, when water or liquid containing water touches the sticker, it will turn fully red or pink. The color change is irreversible and provides visual evidence that liquid entered that area of the device.
The presence of a tripped or red liquid contact indicator is often used by Apple and authorized service providers to determine if an iPhone has water damage. A red or pink indicator suggests the internal components may have been exposed to moisture and corrosion, requiring repairs or replacement under an extended warranty or AppleCare plan before further damage occurs. Therefore, it’s important to keep water and liquids away from the SIM card slot where the sticker is located.
Third-Party Insurance
AppleCare does not cover water damage. However, there are third-party insurance plans that specifically cover water damage for iPhones. These plans often cover incidents like dropping your phone in water, spills, floods, and other types of liquid damage.
Third-party insurance plans like Asurion and American REIA typically provide more comprehensive coverage for water damage than AppleCare. They may cover complete replacement of a water damaged device for a deductible fee, often $99-$249. AppleCare+ has a flat repair/replacement fee of $99 for screen damage and $299 for other damage, but this does not include liquid damage.
The main advantage of third-party plans is they offer protection against water damage and other accidental damage. The disadvantage is they often have higher monthly premiums than AppleCare+. Users have to weigh the likelihood they will need water damage coverage versus the extra cost.
Repair Costs
If an iPhone is damaged by water and no longer covered by an Apple warranty or AppleCare+ plan, repair costs can add up quickly. According to Apple’s support site, out-of-warranty service fees for water damage start at $549 for newer iPhone models like the iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 series. For older iPhones, fees typically range from $299 to $549 depending on the model (CellPhoneRepair.com).
Third party repair shops may offer cheaper water damage repairs, with costs averaging $60 to $180 depending on the iPhone model. However, quality and warranties may vary compared to service directly through Apple (Apple Discussions).
To avoid high out-of-warranty repair costs, extended warranty options like AppleCare+ can provide additional coverage for water damage repairs. With AppleCare+, the fee is capped at $99 for screen or back glass damage, and $299 for any other water damage (Apple Support).
Preventing Water Damage
There are several tips you can follow to help prevent water damage to your iPhone:
- Use a waterproof case – Invest in a waterproof case designed for your specific iPhone model. This will protect your phone from water damage if you accidentally drop it in liquid. Some popular brands are LifeProof and Otterbox.
- Avoid water exposure – Try to keep your iPhone away from water whenever possible. Don’t use it around pools, bathtubs, sinks, etc. Only expose it to water when necessary.
- Turn off water detection – You can turn off the water detection feature that causes “liquid detected” alerts. Go to Settings > General > Liquid Detection to turn this off.
- Use a screen protector – A waterproof screen protector creates an extra layer protection from moisture.
- Don’t charge phone when wet – Never try to charge your iPhone when it’s wet. This can cause electric shock and further damage.
- Dry it off immediately – If your phone does get wet, dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth. Gently shake out any water in the ports.
Taking preventative measures can go a long way in avoiding water damage issues. Investing in protective accessories and being cautious around water sources helps minimize the risk.
What to Do After Water Damage
If your iPhone gets exposed to water or other liquids, it’s important to act quickly to try to limit or prevent damage. Here are the key steps to take if your iPhone gets water damaged:
According to MacWorld, the first thing you should do is immediately remove your iPhone from the water and take it out of its case. Use a soft, absorbent cloth or towel to gently wipe away any excess liquid from the device.
Do not try to turn on your iPhone or charge it after water exposure, as this can cause short circuiting. The next step is to power off your iPhone by holding down the side or volume button and sliding to power off. If your screen is unresponsive, you may need to let your iPhone sitpowered off for 72 hours before attempting to turn it on again.
It’s recommended to place your water damaged iPhone in a bag or container of uncooked rice. The rice will help absorb any remaining moisture inside your iPhone. Let it sit in the rice for at least 24 hours before removing it. You can also use a desiccant packet instead of rice if you have one available.
According to WikiHow, you should not try to charge, turn on, or plug in your water damaged iPhone until it has had time to thoroughly dry out over 24-72 hours. If possible, bring your iPhone to an Apple store or authorized repair center for professional diagnostics and repairs.
Moisture in an iPhone can cause serious corrosion over time, so it’s important to act quickly after water exposure. Do not attempt DIY repairs unless you are experienced, as this can further damage internal components. With fast action, you may be able to revive your water damaged iPhone.
Summary
Here’s a quick summary of the key points on AppleCare and water damage to the iPhone:
– AppleCare+ covers up to two incidents of accidental damage due to water contact. However, this requires you to pay an additional service fee.
– Without AppleCare+, any water damage to your iPhone will not be covered by the standard 1 year limited warranty. You’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for any repairs.
– Liquid contact indicators inside the iPhone will change color if water gets inside, voiding any warranty coverage.
– Third party insurance plans from phone carriers or other companies can also cover water damage, sometimes with lower fees than AppleCare.
– Repair costs for water damaged iPhones can range from $230 up to $1,099 if you need a full replacement phone. Costs vary based on model.
– To avoid water damage, be very careful around water, never charge your phone while wet, and immediately turn off and dry a wet iPhone. Waterproof cases can also help protect your iPhone.
Conclusions
In summary, AppleCare+ can provide valuable protection against water damage for iPhone users. While the basic AppleCare plan does not cover accidental damage, upgrading to AppleCare+ will provide coverage for up to two incidents of accidental damage from handling, including spills and drops. This can save hundreds of dollars in repair costs.
That said, AppleCare+ will not fully protect against all water damage. Repeated or extensive water exposure can still result in costly repairs. And liquid contact indicators may prevent certain repairs even under AppleCare+ coverage.
For these reasons, iPhone users should still take precautions to prevent water damage in the first place. Avoid exposing iPhones to moisture or liquids whenever possible. Also consider protective waterproof cases. Back up data regularly as an extra precaution.
Ultimately, AppleCare+ provides valuable but limited protection against water damage. iPhone users should understand its coverage limits, continue taking protective measures, and weigh the costs and benefits of third-party insurance for more comprehensive coverage.
