Water damage is one of the most common ways that electronics like iPhones get damaged. If you accidentally drop your iPhone in water or spill a drink on it, you may end up with a water-damaged device that no longer functions properly. This can be frustrating and expensive to repair if you don’t have AppleCare+ coverage on your iPhone.
AppleCare+ is an optional extended warranty program offered by Apple that provides additional coverage for accidental damage, including water damage. With AppleCare+, you can get repairs or replacements for a service fee if your iPhone is damaged by liquid. This can save you money compared to paying Apple’s out-of-warranty repair costs.
In this article, we will look at how AppleCare+ covers water damage, how much you have to pay for water damage repairs with AppleCare+, and whether it’s worth adding AppleCare+ to your iPhone for water damage protection.
What is Covered Under AppleCare+ for Water Damage?
AppleCare+ provides up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee. This includes water damage from spills, splashes, or accidental submersion in water up to 6 feet deep for up to 30 minutes.
Some specifics on Apple’s water damage coverage under AppleCare+:
– Covers accidental water damage from spills, splashes, or drops in water up to 6 feet deep for up to 30 minutes. Damage beyond these parameters may not be covered.
– Applies to fresh water and other liquids only. Other substances like soap, salt water, or other chemicals may not be eligible for coverage.
– Covers faults from liquid contact like speaker damage, receiver damage, microphone issues, camera issues, power issues, logic board failure, etc.
– Does not cover corrosion or rust damage that occurs over time after water exposure. Coverage is for immediate water damage only.
So in summary, any immediate water damage that occurs from common water accidents like dropping your phone in the sink or toilet, spilling your drink on it, or briefly submerging it in a lake or pool would be covered under AppleCare+ water damage policy. Just be aware that the water damage needs to be addressed right away rather than left to sit.
AppleCare+ Water Damage Repair Costs
If you make a water damage claim with AppleCare+, either at an Apple store or through Apple support, you will have to pay a service fee before you can get your iPhone repaired or replaced. Here is how much water damage repair costs with AppleCare+:
– iPhone screen damage only: $29 service fee
– iPhone damage affecting more than just screen: $99 service fee
– Additional damage to external enclosure: Up to $299 service fee
So for a simple water damaged screen, your cost is only $29 with AppleCare+. But if water caused damage to other components like the camera, microphone, or logic board, you’ll pay $99. And if the water also damaged the external body, like corrosion on the metal sides, the service fee can go up to $299.
This is significantly lower than without AppleCare+:
– Screen replacement without AppleCare+: $129 to $279
– Other damage without AppleCare+: $229 to $549+
As you can see, AppleCare+ cuts the water damage repair costs by over 50% in many scenarios.
Is AppleCare+ Worth it for Water Damage?
Given the high costs of water damage on iPhones without coverage, AppleCare+ can be very useful if you want to protect against potential water accidents. Here are some factors to help decide if it’s worth it for you:
– **Where you use your phone:** If you frequently use your phone near pools, lakes, boats, etc, the risk of water damage goes up. AppleCare+ helps mitigate this risk.
– **Your lifestyle:** Active lifestyles also increase chances of water accidents. If you have young kids who may spill on your phone, AppleCare+ can give peace of mind.
– **How long you keep your phone:** iPhones are often kept 2-3 years. AppleCare+ covers you for water damage for that time period.
– **Phone’s value:** The more expensive your iPhone, the higher potential repair costs, making AppleCare+ more valuable.
– **Existing alternatives:** You may already have water damage protection through credit card policies or homeowners/renters insurance.
– **Cost:** AppleCare+ costs $129 to $199 upfront, so evaluate if this expense is worth the water damage protection.
Overall, AppleCare+ can be very beneficial if you’re prone to water damage accidents or want that extra peace of mind. It greatly reduces repair costs and hassle if liquid does make contact with your iPhone. Take a close look at your lifestyle and phone use to determine if it makes sense for your needs.
What to Do If Your iPhone Gets Water Damage
If you do experience water damage on your iPhone, here are some important steps to take:
– **Get it out of the water immediately** if it is still submerged. Don’t try charging it until dry.
– **Dry it off** with a lint-free cloth. Do not try heating methods.
– **Do not try charging it** if it got wet. Only use after completely dried.
– **Use moisture-absorbing products** like silica gel packets. DO NOT use rice to dry, it has starch.
– **Ventilate and air dry** your phone for at least 24 hours before use.
– **Check for liquid in ports/speakers** using flashlight and toothpick.
– **Once fully dried, test functions** like screen, buttons, camera, battery life.
– **Back up data** in case device has suffered damage.
– **Contact Apple Support** to make an AppleCare+ claim or diagnose issue.
– **Be ready to pay service fee** for any repairs or replacement needed.
Taking quick action is important to give your iPhone the best chance of surviving water damage. Don’t try quick fixes and get professional help assessing any issues.
AppleCare+ Cost for iPhones
Here is a breakdown of how much AppleCare+ costs for current iPhone models:
| iPhone Model | AppleCare+ Cost |
| iPhone 14 | $149 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $149 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | $199 |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | $199 |
| iPhone 13 | $149 |
| iPhone 13 Mini | $149 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | $199 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | $199 |
| iPhone 12 | $149 |
| iPhone 12 Mini | $149 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | $199 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | $199 |
| iPhone SE (3rd Gen) | $79 |
| iPhone 11 | $149 |
| iPhone 11 Pro | $199 |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | $199 |
| iPhone XR | $149 |
| iPhone XS | $199 |
| iPhone XS Max | $199 |
Prices are for two years of coverage including two incidences of accidental damage coverage. As you can see, costs range from $79 for lower-end models to $199 for premium Pro models.
How to Add AppleCare+ to Your iPhone
If you decide AppleCare+ is a smart choice, here is how to purchase and add it to your iPhone:
– **When you purchase your iPhone:** This is the easiest way to buy AppleCare+ and you can roll it into your original iPhone purchase cost. Just request it when buying iPhone.
– **Within 60 days of buying iPhone:** During this window, you can go to iPhone settings > General > About to enroll in AppleCare+. You can pay monthly over 12 months if needed.
– **After 60 days:** You can still purchase AppleCare+ but will need to have your iPhone examined either in store or remotely to ensure it is eligible for coverage based on diagnostic testing. There is no monthly payment option.
– **At iPhone repair:** If you bring your iPhone into Apple for any repair after 60 days, you can choose to add on AppleCare+ protection at this time for a full examination.
So in summary, it’s simplest to get AppleCare+ right away when you first buy your iPhone. But you have options to add it on later if you initially declined the coverage.
Using AppleCare+ for Water Damage
If you have an AppleCare+ covered iPhone that gets water damage, here is how to make a claim and get it repaired or replaced:
– **Back up your data** to iCloud or iTunes in case phone needs to be replaced.
– **Contact Apple Support** via phone, chat, or set up a Genius Bar appointment at an Apple Store.
– **Describe the water damage** incident and symptoms you are seeing on your iPhone.
– **Make sure to request AppleCare+ claim** for water damage repair. This is not automatic!
– **Be ready to pay your service fee** based on the repair type needed (screen, other damage, external damage).
– **Apple will examine iPhone** and confirm liquid damage. If approved, they will collect service fee and repair or replace iPhone.
– **If phone cannot be repaired**, it will be replaced subject to the damage fee. This will also use one of your two AppleCare+ claims.
– **Repaired/replaced devices** come with a new 1-year warranty for defects. Your AppleCare+ also remains active.
So be clear that you want to make a claim on your AppleCare+ policy when setting up water damage service with Apple. Pay your fee up front, and they will take care of the rest!
Third Party Repair Options
While AppleCare+ makes it convenient to get water damage service directly through Apple, you can also choose third party repair services. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
– Third party shops don’t honor AppleCare+ but may offer competitive repair pricing.
– Quality of third party parts may not match Apple’s official components.
– Water damage diagnosis and repair can vary greatly based on technician skill and tools.
– Shop around for best price quotes if going third party route.
– There is risk of voiding any Apple warranty using unauthorized services.
– Apple may refuse future service if improper repairs are detected.
So while AppleCare+ gives guaranteed coverage, third party shops do offer alternative repair options in many cases. Do research to find well-reviewed local repair technicians. And make sure to backup data in case water damage is irreparable.
Preventing Water Damage on iPhone
While AppleCare+ gives you peace of mind if water damage does occur, it’s even better to avoid it completely. Here are tips to prevent water accidents with your iPhone:
– Use a protective case designed to resist water. Look for IP67 or IP68 ratings.
– Avoid using iPhone in high risk situations like pools, boats, baths, rainstorms, etc. Exercise caution.
– Attach a floating strap to iPhone if using around water, so it doesn’t sink if dropped.
– Keep food and drinks away from iPhone. Never place drinks on or over your device. Use coasters.
– Take care when washing hands near iPhone. Don’t use sink with phone nearby.
– Keep iPhone away from kids and pets who may spill on the device accidentally.
– Shut power off immediately if phone does get wet. Don’t try charging until completely dry.
– Inspect ports, speaker, mics regularly for any liquid buildup from small splashes.
Practicing prevention is the best protection against expensive water damage incidents. But AppleCare+ provides backup assurance just in case accidents happen!
Conclusion
Water damage is one of the costliest repairs for iPhones when not covered by warranty or insurance. AppleCare+ provides excellent protection against these expenses if you experience a spill, splash, or submersion accident with your device. For $149 to $199, you get up to two claims with reduced service fees starting at just $29 for screen damage or $99 for other component damage.
While AppleCare+ is not mandatory, it can give many iPhone users greater peace of mind knowing water damage, which is quite common, will only cost a small repair fee. Evaluate your lifestyle and phone usage habits, as well as repair costs without coverage, and determine if AppleCare+ makes sense for your needs. But in general, AppleCare+ is a smart investment for anyone at risk of water damage and wanting to mitigate expensive iPhone repair costs.