Apple’s repair costs for liquid damaged devices can vary greatly depending on the type of device, the extent of the damage, and whether you have AppleCare+ coverage or not. In general, liquid damage repairs for iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and other Apple devices are quite expensive without extended warranty coverage.
iPhone Liquid Damage Repair Costs
For newer iPhone models like the iPhone 14 or iPhone 13, Apple charges a flat rate repair fee of $599 for any liquid damage issue if you do not have AppleCare+ coverage. This covers both partial submersion water damage and full water damage where components like the logic board may need to be replaced.
With AppleCare+ coverage, you will pay a lower service fee of either $29 for minor liquid damage repairs or $99 for more significant water damage. AppleCare+ extends your iPhone warranty coverage for up to two years and covers two incidents of accidental damage with discounted repair fees.
For older iPhone models, Apple’s out of warranty liquid damage repair costs are generally around $300-$500 depending on the extent of the damage and which components need to be replaced.
Here is a table summarizing Apple’s liquid damage repair costs for iPhones:
| iPhone Model | Repair Cost Without AppleCare+ | Repair Cost With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14/13 | $599 | $29 minor damage $99 major damage |
| iPhone 12/11 | $300-$500 | $29 minor damage $99 major damage |
| iPhone XS/XR/X | $300-$500 | $29 minor damage $99 major damage |
| iPhone 8/7/6 | $300-$500 | $29 minor damage $99 major damage |
iPad Liquid Damage Repair Costs
For newer iPad models like the iPad Pro 11-inch and 12.9-inch, iPad Air, and iPad mini, Apple charges $599 for any out of warranty liquid damage repair without AppleCare+.
With AppleCare+, iPad liquid damage repair fees are $49 for iPad screen damage or $299 for other damage to areas like the logic board.
On older iPad models, Apple’s out of warranty liquid damage repair costs typically range from $300-$500 depending on which components are affected.
Here are Apple’s repair costs for liquid damaged iPads:
| iPad Model | Repair Cost Without AppleCare+ | Repair Cost With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro 12.9 and 11-inch | $599 | $49 screen damage $299 other damage |
| iPad Air | $599 | $49 screen damage $299 other damage |
| iPad mini | $599 | $49 screen damage $299 other damage |
| Older iPad models | $300-$500 | $49 screen damage $299 other damage |
MacBook Liquid Damage Repair Costs
For newer MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models released since 2020, Apple charges a flat rate of $1,299 for any out of warranty liquid damage repair without AppleCare+.
With AppleCare+ coverage, the MacBook liquid damage repair fee is reduced to $299.
On older MacBook models, liquid damage repairs costs generally range from $700-$1200 depending on the extent of the damage and required part replacements if you do not have AppleCare+.
Here are Apple’s repair fees for liquid damaged MacBooks:
| MacBook Model | Repair Cost Without AppleCare+ | Repair Cost With AppleCare+ |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro/Air 2020-2022 | $1,299 | $299 |
| Older MacBook models | $700-$1200 | $299 |
Factors That Affect Liquid Damage Repair Costs
While Apple has set fees for liquid damage issues, the total repair cost can vary significantly depending on factors like:
- Level of water exposure – Was the device partially or fully submerged? Partial water exposure often causes less damage.
- Time the device was wet – The longer an iPhone or MacBook sits in liquid, the more internal corrosion occurs.
- Liquid type – Clean water causes less damage than liquids with minerals, sugar, or chemicals.
- Speed of repair – Faster repair reduces corrosion to components.
- Parts needing replacement – Repair cost rises if major parts like the logic board need replacing.
- Device disassembly/reassembly – Taking a device apart and putting it back together takes time and care.
- Diagnostic testing – Identifying all components damaged by liquid takes time.
In some cases where the liquid exposure was minor and damage is limited, Apple may be able to clean and dry a device for a reduced flat-rate repair cost. But extensive water damage often pushes the total repair cost above Apple’s standard fees.
Third Party Liquid Damage Repair Options
While Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers are the only places able to perform official in-warranty repairs, there are many reputable third party repair shops that can fix liquid damaged iPhones, iPads and MacBooks at lower costs.
Common repair techniques used by third parties include:
- Ultrasonic cleaning – High frequency sound waves remove corrosion and residues from logic boards.
- Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) rinses – IPA displaces water and cleans internal components.
- Water damage indicator stickers – These stickers change color if moisture is present and help locate water exposure points.
- Silica gel drying – Silica gel packets absorb ambient moisture from inside a device.
- Pre-tinning – Solder points are re-tinned to restore damaged solder joints from liquid exposure corrosion.
Highly skilled microsoldering technicians at third party repair shops can often refurbish liquid damaged Apple devices at a fraction of Apple’s out of warranty repair costs. Component-level board repair is also offered, which replaces only the damaged components instead of the entire logic board.
The cost savings come from factors like:
- Lower technician labor rates
- Component-level repair instead of full board swap
- Use of lower cost third party replacement parts instead of original Apple parts
- No hidden diagnostic or part replacement fees
However, there are some risks with third party liquid damage repairs to consider:
- Voided warranty – Apple warranty will be void after third party repairs.
- Unofficial parts – Third party components may not perfectly match OEM Apple parts.
- No quality guarantee – Repair quality can vary greatly between repair shops.
- Possible device issues – Poor soldering or incorrect repair techniques can cause operational issues.
So the lower cost of a third party iPhone or MacBook liquid damage repair needs to be weighed against these factors. Reputable repair shops with experienced microsoldering techs, good reviews and warranties on work can provide a quality repair option at a more affordable price compared to Apple.
AppleCare+ Can Save Money on Liquid Damage Repairs
One of the best ways to minimize the cost of fixing an Apple device damaged by water or spills is to have AppleCare+ extended warranty coverage.
AppleCare+ warranty extends hardware coverage on iPhone, iPad, MacBook, iMac, Apple Watch and other devices to two years from the original purchase date. It also provides up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage subject to service fees significantly lower than Apple’s out of warranty repair costs.
On newer iPhone 14/13 models for example, AppleCare+ lowers the liquid damage repair fee from $599 to $29 for minor damage or $99 for major damage – a huge potential savings.
AppleCare+ has to be purchased within 60 days of getting an iPhone, iPad, MacBook or other Apple device to qualify for the extra coverage.
Cost for 2 years of AppleCare+ coverage:
- iPhone – $149
- iPad – $69 to $129
- MacBook Air & MacBook Pro – $249
- iMac – $99 to $169
- Apple Watch – $49 to $79
While adding another couple hundred dollars to the upfront cost of a new Apple product may seem unnecessary, AppleCare+ pays for itself several times over if any liquid damage or accidental damage occurs during the coverage term and you need a repair.
Getting AppleCare+ can prevent those high $300, $600 or $1200+ repair bills down the road if your device takes an unexpected dunk or splash.
Tips to Prevent Liquid Damage on Apple Devices
While accidents can always happen, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of liquid damage occurring to your iPhone, iPad, MacBook or other Apple devices:
- Use a protective case with seals – Cases designed for water protection seal ports and gaps.
- Never use device in rain/wet weather – Wait until in a dry spot to use.
- Don’t use near sink or liquids – Keep away from risk of splashes.
- Never leave drinks unattended near devices.
- Take care at the pool or beach – Don’t take device too close to water.
- Keep away from humid environments – High humidity can cause condensation and moisture buildup.
- Use device cleaning detergent and microfiber cloth to gently clean.
- Avoid pressure washing or running water to clean device.
- Don’t charge device in bathroom or other damp location.
A bit of care and precaution goes a long way in preventing those extremely costly spills, drops in sinks/toilets or submersions in water that can damage your iPhone, iPad, MacBook and other expensive Apple products.
Conclusion
Liquid damage repairs on Apple devices are quite costly without extended warranty coverage, often $300-$1200+ depending on the product and extent of the water exposure. AppleCare+ can significantly reduce these repair costs down to $29-$299 with accidental damage coverage.
While Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers are the only places to get official in-warranty repairs, third party repair shops offer lower cost out of warranty liquid damage repairs in many cases. However, third party repairs void Apple warranty and don’t come with a guarantee of quality.
The best approach is to be very careful around water with iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and other Apple devices. But accidents happen, so also consider investing in AppleCare+ during the initial purchase window to save on major costs later should any unfortunate liquid damage occur down the road.
