The Short Answer
Generally speaking, Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers do not offer repairs for water damaged iPhones, even if the device is still under warranty. Water damage is considered accidental damage and is not covered by Apple’s limited 1-year warranty or extended AppleCare+ coverage. However, some third party repair shops may attempt water damage repairs on iPhones, but success depends on the extent of the damage.
Apple’s Official Policy on Water Damage
According to Apple’s official repair policy, liquid damage is not covered under warranty or AppleCare+ plans. Here is an excerpt from Apple’s Terms and Conditions for iPhone warranty and AppleCare+ coverage:
This Plan does not cover:
(i) installation, removal or disposal of the Covered Equipment, or provision of equipment while the Covered Equipment is being serviced; (ii) damage caused by a product that is not the Covered Equipment; (iii) damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, liquid contact, fire, earthquake or other external cause; (iv) damage caused by operating the Covered Equipment outside the permitted or intended uses described by the manufacturer; (v) damage caused by service performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”); (vi) a product or part that has been modified to alter functionality or capability; (vii) cosmetic damage to the Covered Equipment including but not limited to scratches and dents; (viii) preventative maintenance; or (ix) defects caused by normal wear and tear or otherwise due to the normal aging of the product.
So in clear terms, Apple does not cover any water damage to iPhones, whether the device is under warranty or covered by AppleCare+. Liquid contact of any kind is considered accidental damage and voids any warranty or extended coverage from Apple.
Why Apple Won’t Fix Water Damaged iPhones
There are a few reasons why Apple refuses to service water damaged iPhones:
- Water can cause corrosion and electrical shorts – When water gets inside an iPhone it can cause oxidation and corrosion of electronic components. This can lead to short circuits which may not be immediately apparent.
- Extent of damage is hard to assess – The true extent of liquid damage may not be obvious upfront. Problems can show up later as corrosion progresses.
- Repairs are often temporary – Even if an iPhone functions initially after liquid exposure, problems from corrosion often reoccur later on. Any repair may just be temporary.
- Safety hazards – Water damaged devices can pose safety hazards for technicians working on them due to potential electrical shorts. Apple stores are not equipped for these kinds of repairs.
- Not cost effective – With labor costs for out of warranty repairs, water damage repairs are typically not cost effective compared to replacing the device.
For these reasons, Apple has determined that water damaged iPhones cannot be safely and reliably repaired, even by Apple technicians. Thus any water damage voids the standard or extended warranties.
Liquid Contact Indicators
All iPhones contain special internal Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI) that are designed to detect the presence of water or other liquids. These paper or plastic stickers contain a substance that will cause permanent color changes if they come into contact with liquid. The location of the LCI stickers differ by iPhone model but are typically near cable connectors and openings.
Image: Example of LCI sticker inside an iPhone 11. Red color indicates water contact detected.
Genius Bar technicians at the Apple Store will check these Liquid Contact Indicators during any service request. If the sensors have turned red, that’s proof of liquid exposure and warranty coverage will be denied for that iPhone. This is the first thing checked before servicing any iPhone.
Third Party Water Damage Repairs
While Apple and its Authorized Service Providers will not repair liquid damaged iPhones, there are some third party repair shops that may attempt to service water damaged devices on a case by case basis. However, success is not guaranteed and depends on the extent of the water exposure.
Some of the steps a third party shop may try include:
- Opening the iPhone and cleaning corrosion from connectors and logic board
- Replacing any damaged electronic components
- Ultrasonic cleaning of logic board to remove corrosion and residues
- Testing and replacement of individual components like the battery, screen, cameras, speakers, etc
Even if an iPhone powers on initially after water damage, problems can show up later as corrosion continues to occur. And liquid may reach new areas as the phone is used, leading to new issues. So there is a good chance any repair may be temporary and not a true fix for a water damaged device.
The cost for third party water damage repairs varies widely, but can easily be over $200 in many cases, with no guarantee of success. At that price point it may make more sense to put that money towards a replacement iPhone instead.
Best Chance of Success: Quick Action After Water Exposure
If any iPhone does experience accidental water exposure, the best chance for saving it is to take immediate action:
- Immediately power off the iPhone if still on
- Do not try charging or powering on a wet iPhone
- Dry the iPhone with absorbent material like paper towels
- Do not use rice or heat to dry, only use room temperature air
- Once dry, bring to a phone repair shop as soon as possible
The quicker the water is removed and iPhone is disassembled and cleaned, the less corrosion will occur and the greater chance of success for a repair. But there are still no guarantees. The longer an iPhone sits wet, the worse the internal damage will be.
AppleCare+ Coverage for Water Damage
While a standard Apple warranty does not cover accidental water damage, AppleCare+ plans provide some additional coverage options. AppleCare+ extends hardware coverage for iPhones to two years from the original purchase date and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, subject to a service fee.
Here are the AppleCare+ terms for water damaged iPhones:
- Covers two incidents of accidental damage from handling, including water damage
- $99 service fee for screen or back glass damage
- $299 service fee for any other accidental damage including water
- Damage must be repaired by Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider
So with AppleCare+, you have two chances to get a water damaged iPhone repaired by Apple, but it will cost $299 for each incident. And any liquid damage repairs are done at Apple’s discretion – if they cannot reliably repair it you may still be out of luck. But AppleCare+ at least gives you a chance compared to the standard 1 year limited warranty.
Summary: Should You Try to Repair a Water Damaged iPhone?
To summarize the key points:
- Apple does NOT cover any water damage under their standard or extended warranties
- Genius Bar will not repair water damaged iPhones, even under warranty
- Apple Authorized Service Providers also will not do any water damage repairs
- Third party shops may attempt water damage repairs, but success is variable
- AppleCare+ allows up to two water damage repairs, but charges a $299 fee each time
- Best chance isimmediate action if iPhone gets wet – quick drying and disassembly
So while it is generally not recommended to repair water damaged iPhones through Apple, you may find third party repair shops willing to at least attempt a fix. But there are no guarantees it will be a permanent solution. The best preventative measure is to keep iPhones away from water in the first place, and act quickly if it does get wet to dry it as soon as possible. With immediate action, some damaged iPhones can be revived. But once corrosion sets in, the prognosis gets much worse. Use caution before spending money on any water damaged iPhone repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about water damaged iPhones and Apple’s repair policies:
Does AppleCare or insurance cover water damage?
Standard AppleCare does not cover any accidental damage including water. AppleCare+ allows up to two water damage repairs for a $299 fee each time. Phone insurance plans may cover water damage, but read policy details closely.
Can Apple technicians work on water damaged iPhones?
No, Genius Bar technicians at Apple Stores are prohibited from servicing any iPhones that have liquid contact detected internally. Apple Authorized Service Providers have the same policy.
What are signs my iPhone has water damage?
Symptoms can include no power, distorted/muted sound, blurred camera, unresponsive buttons, flashing display, charging issues. The best way to check is open it up and look for triggered Liquid Contact Indicators.
How much does Apple charge to fix a water damaged iPhone?
Apple does not offer any out of warranty repairs for water damaged iPhones under their standard 1 year limited warranty. With AppleCare+ coverage, there is a $299 fee per incident for water damage service.
Should I put my wet iPhone in rice?
No, this is not recommended. Rice and other food products can leave residues inside the iPhone and don’t do a good job absorbing water from inside device. Air drying or disassembly are better options.
Can I trade in a water damaged iPhone?
Most trade-in programs including Apple’s will not accept water damaged devices. Some third party trade-in services may offer reduced value based on damage. But it’s best to repair any water damage before trading in.
Conclusion
While no iPhone owner wants to experience the nightmare of a water damaged device, it is an all too common occurrence. If you act quickly after water exposure to dry out the device, you may avoid serious damage. But once corrosion sets in, the prognosis gets much worse and costs begin to mount for any repair attempt.
Apple does not cover any water damage officially, but AppleCare+ can provide some recourse for getting a damaged iPhone repaired by Apple, albeit at a steep $299 repair fee. Most third party repair shops will at least try to service water damaged iPhones, but offer no guarantees that any fix will be permanent once corrosion takes hold internally.
The bottom line when it comes to water and iPhones is caution and prevention. These amazing devices are not built to be underwater cameras. Keep your iPhone away from pools, baths, and any sources of liquid. A single spill can lead to permanent failure down the road. But with some luck and quick action, a water damaged iPhone can sometimes be revived. Just be prepared that it may end up being a very costly accident.
