If you’ve accidentally spilled water or gotten your iPhone wet, you may be wondering how much Apple will charge for a water damage repair. Water damage is one of the most common issues that can affect iPhones and other Apple devices, and the repair costs can vary depending on the extent of the damage.
What causes water damage in iPhones?
There are a few main ways that water damage can occur with an iPhone:
- Dropping the iPhone in water – This includes dropping it in the sink, toilet, puddle, lake, ocean, etc.
- Exposing the iPhone to heavy rain or very humid environments
- Spilling a liquid on the iPhone – coffee, tea, juice, etc.
When liquid makes its way into an iPhone, it can cause corrosion and short circuiting of the internal components. The severity depends on factors like how much liquid got inside, how long it was exposed to the liquid, and what type of liquid it was.
How does Apple test for and classify water damage?
When you bring an iPhone into an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider for repair, the first thing they’ll do is run diagnostic tests to check for internal damage. They connect the iPhone to their computer and use Apple’s proprietary tools to get detailed information about the phone’s components and systems.
Based on the results of these diagnostics tests, the damage will be classified into one of the following categories:
- Level 0 – No water damage: Diagnostics show everything is working normally with no signs of internal water exposure or corrosion.
- Level 1 – External moisture indicator: The external Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) sticker inside the SIM card slot has turned red, indicating water exposure. But diagnostics show no corrosion damage has occurred yet.
- Level 2 – Tier 1 water damage: Diagnostics detect minor corrosion to certain components, but main logic board is still functional.
- Level 3 – Tier 2 water damage: Diagnostics show corrosion on the logic board and potential short circuiting. Some onboard components may need to be replaced.
- Level 4 – Tier 3 water damage: Severe damage detected to multiple components and the logic board. iPhone has limited or no functionality.
How much does Apple charge for each water damage tier?
Here is an overview of how much Apple typically charges for out-of-warranty water damage repairs for each tier:
| Water Damage Level | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Level 0 – No water damage | $0 |
| Level 1 – External moisture indicator | $0 if no other damage $99 diagnostic fee if internal damage is detected |
| Level 2 – Tier 1 | $299 |
| Level 3 – Tier 2 | $399 |
| Level 4 – Tier 3 | $599 |
Here are some additional notes about Apple’s water damage repair pricing:
- If the iPhone is still under Apple’s 1-year limited warranty, water damage repairs are fully covered at no extra cost as long as there was no accidental damage.
- AppleCare+ warranty coverage reduces the water damage repair fees to $99 for any tier of damage.
- Actual repair costs can sometimes exceed the tier rates if more parts need to be replaced or if other non-water related issues are discovered.
- For severe Tier 3-4 damage, Apple may determine a repair is infeasible and offer a replacement iPhone at their out-of-warranty pricing.
- Pricing is for iPhone screen, battery and other internal repairs only. Additional fees apply for any external enclosure damage.
What should I do if my iPhone gets wet?
If your iPhone has been exposed to liquid, following these steps can help minimize damage:
- Dry it off immediately – Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe off any excess moisture.
- Don’t try to power it on – Don’t press any buttons or attempt to turn it on, as this can short circuit the device.
- Disconnect power – Remove any connected chargers, cables or accessories.
- Allow it to air dry – Let the iPhone sit for at least 24 hours in a dry, ventilated space to fully dry out.
- Don’t use heat sources – Avoid hair dryers, microwaves, ovens which could overheat the iPhone.
- Use moisture-absorbing products – Place the iPhone in a bag or container with silica gel packs or rice to help absorb any residual moisture.
- Check for liquid indicators – Examine the SIM card slot for the Liquid Contact Indicator sticker.
Following a thorough drying process, you can attempt to turn on your iPhone. If it successfully powers on without issue, you likely avoided any major water damage. But it’s still a good idea to run diagnostics at an Apple Store or with Apple Support to double check for corrosion.
How can I avoid water damage to my iPhone?
While accidental spills or drops in water can always occur, you can take some precautions to keep your iPhone away from liquid exposure:
- Use a protective case and screen protector.
- Keep drinks and other liquids away from your iPhone.
- Avoid using your iPhone in very humid environments like pools, showers or steam rooms.
- Immediately dry your hands or iPhone if they get wet before handling.
- Never charge your iPhone in the bathroom or other damp locations.
- Take extra care when on boats, around pools or at the beach.
- Consider investing in waterproof accessories for added protection.
Should I invest in AppleCare+ for coverage of water damage?
Purchasing AppleCare+ extended warranty coverage can be worthwhile if you are worried about potential water damage or other accidents. Here are some of the benefits it provides:
- Reduces water damage repair fee to $99 for any tier of damage, for up to two incidents.
- Covers you for up to two years from iPhone purchase date.
- Also covers accidental physical damage like cracks or drops.
- Provides 24/7 tech support and software fixes from Apple.
- Extends hardware warranty coverage from 1 year to 2 years.
AppleCare+ costs $149 for iPhone 8 and later models, and must be purchased within 60 days of getting your iPhone. When you consider that a single Tier 2 or 3 water damage incident could cost $399+ without coverage, AppleCare+ can pay for itself after just one repair.
Conclusion
Water damage is a common way that iPhones get damaged, but how much Apple charges to repair it depends on the severity. Minor moisture exposure with no internal corrosion has no cost if the iPhone is under warranty. But liquid contact reaching the internal hardware can cost anywhere from $299 up to $599 for more significant damage, based on Apple’s repair tiers. Following proper drying steps after water exposure and investing in AppleCare+ warranty coverage can help you avoid and minimize costly iPhone water damage repairs.