The iPhone 11 is one of Apple’s popular smartphone models first released in 2019. All iPhones contain a Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI), which is a small sticker inside the device designed to indicate if water or liquid has entered the phone.
The LCI is white or silver when dry. But if it comes into contact with water or liquid containing water, it will turn red or pink. This color change is permanent and signals that liquid has gotten inside the iPhone.
Knowing how to locate the LCI is important for iPhone 11 users. It allows you to quickly check if water or liquid damage has occurred. And if the LCI has been triggered, it can help users seek any necessary repairs or replacements under warranty or insurance.
What is the LCI?
The LCI (Liquid Contact Indicator) is a small sticker located inside the SIM card slot of an iPhone. It is designed to indicate if any liquid has gotten inside the phone. The LCI has markings that will turn red if it gets wet, triggering the indicator that water or another liquid has entered the iPhone [1].
The LCI is different from the iPhone’s serial number, which is a unique identifier assigned to each device by Apple. The serial number allows Apple to identify a specific iPhone for repairs or troubleshooting. It is etched or engraved on the back of the iPhone. The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number serves a similar purpose as the serial number, providing a unique identifier for the iPhone that carriers use to connect it to their networks [2].
So in summary, the LCI is an indicator sticker that detects water intrusion, while the serial number and IMEI are unique IDs for identifying the device. The LCI is not a number, but a visual trigger that turns red when wet.
Locating the LCI
The Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) on the iPhone 11 is located inside the SIM card tray. You can see the LCI when you eject and remove the SIM card tray from the right side of the iPhone. According to Apple Support, the LCI is a small sensor inside the SIM tray that turns red if it detects the presence of liquids (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204104).
As explained on GopherMods.com, the LCI is a small sticker located on the underside of the SIM tray. When you remove the tray, you’ll see a small white or silver circle. If the circle has turned fully red, then water or liquid has gotten into your iPhone and triggered the indicator (https://www.gophermods.com/how-to-tell-if-your-iphone-has-water-damage/).
Importance of the LCI
The Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) is an important diagnostic tool used by technicians to detect potential water damage in iPhones. According to discussions on Apple’s support forums, the LCI is designed to turn red when exposed to liquid as an indicator of water damage. Technicians routinely check the LCI when inspecting an iPhone brought in for service or repair. An intact white LCI signifies no water damage, while atriggered red LCI alerts the tech that water infiltration may have occurred.
The LCI is also used to detect unauthorized repair attempts. Apple’s warranty terms prohibit third-party repairs and state that only Apple-certified technicians should service Apple devices. If an iPhone with a triggered LCI is brought in, the tech can deny warranty coverage due to the unauthorized tampering. The triggered LCI provides visual evidence that the iPhone has been opened and repaired outside of Apple’s authorized channels.
The LCI consists of two tiny paper-like tabs that are treated with a water-soluble ink. When water penetrates the iPhone’s casing and comes in contact with the LCI, the ink dissolves and the tab turns from white to red. This irreversible color change is easy for technicians to spot upon opening the iPhone. So a triggered LCI clearly indicates the presence of liquid water damage to the internal components.
Checking the LCI
The LCI or liquid contact indicator on the iPhone 11 is located in the SIM card tray. To check it, you’ll need to remove the SIM tray.
First, locate the SIM tray on the right side of the iPhone 11. It is the small rectangular slot above the volume buttons. To remove the SIM tray, find the SIM ejection tool that came with your iPhone or a straightened paperclip. Gently insert the end of the tool or paperclip into the small hole next to the SIM tray slot. Pressing straight in, the tray should pop out.
Be very careful not to use anything sharp like a thumbtack or pin to remove the SIM tray. This could damage the water seals and allow liquid to enter the phone. Only use the provided SIM ejection tool, a paperclip, or other soft, dull tipped tool.
Once the SIM tray is out, tilt it to view the white or silver LCI inside the tray opening. An intact LCI will be solid white or silver. A triggered LCI will turn red or pink. This shows it has been exposed to liquid.
An Intact LCI
An intact LCI on an iPhone indicates that the phone has not been exposed to water or liquid damage. The LCI is normally white or silver in color when it is intact. This means it has not come into contact with water or moisture that would trigger a color change.
A white or silver LCI gives a good indication that the iPhone has not suffered any water damage or needed water damage repairs. It has not been triggered or compromised. According to Apple support, “The indicator’s color is normally white or silver, but when it contacts water or a liquid containing water, it will turn fully red.” https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204104
This intact and white LCI shown above signals that the iPhone has not suffered water damage or needed any repairs related to liquid contact. A white LCI gives consumers confidence in the water-resistance of the iPhone.
A Triggered LCI
A triggered or red LCI on an iPhone means that water or liquid damage has occurred. The LCI, or Liquid Contact Indicator, is a small sticker inside iPhones that is designed to change from white/silver to red when it comes into contact with water or liquid containing water [1]. This change is irreversible, so a red LCI will stay red even after the phone has dried out.
Seeing a red LCI is an indicator that water or liquid damage has affected the internal components of the iPhone. It does not necessarily mean the phone won’t function, but liquid damage can cause issues like corrosion over time. The phone may seem fine at first, but problems can appear later as damage progresses.
A red LCI will also void any warranty and prevent you from being able to get repairs through Apple or insurance. Apple considers a tripped LCI conclusive evidence of liquid damage, regardless of whether issues have appeared yet or not [2].
While some third party or unauthorized repair shops may replace an LCI sticker to hide liquid damage, Apple technicians can often still detect if true water damage occurred even with a “new” LCI. So a red activated LCI is difficult to hide from Apple and you should avoid any repair shop that offers to do so.
Seeking Repairs
If the LCI in your iPhone has been triggered, it can void your warranty with Apple. According to Apple’s support page, “Service for liquid damage to an iPhone or iPod isn’t covered by the Apple One-Year Limited Warranty.” This means you may have to pay out-of-pocket for any repairs, even if your device is otherwise still under warranty.
Some users have reported success appealing to Apple and getting repairs covered despite a triggered LCI, but this is not guaranteed. As discussed in this Apple forum thread, a triggered LCI is often considered automatic grounds for a voided warranty.
If Apple won’t cover the repair, you can look into third party repair shops that may be able to service the device for less cost. However, the repair may not be to the same quality standards as an Apple authorized repair. You’ll have to weigh the options of paying more for Apple service versus potentially lower quality third party repairs.
Replacing the LCI
It is generally not recommended to attempt to replace or recolor the LCI on an iPhone. Apple technicians are trained to detect any tampering with the LCI during repairs. According to Apple’s support page, “The location of the indicator allows Apple to determine whether liquid contact has occurred in a specific location, potentially impacting certain functions of your device.”1
Attempting to replace or alter the LCI yourself could void any warranty and make your iPhone ineligible for repair through Apple. The LCI is designed to be tamper-evident, so any changes are likely to be detected. If liquid contact is suspected, it’s best to bring your iPhone to Apple or an authorized service provider for an official inspection and diagnosis.
Replacing an LCI may temporarily hide signs of liquid damage, but it does not fix any underlying issues caused by water exposure. It’s better to be transparent about any incidents so the phone can be properly repaired if needed. Covering up water damage could lead to further issues down the line.
Conclusion
In summary, the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) on the iPhone 11 is a small white sticker located inside the SIM card slot. It is designed to detect if any moisture or liquid has entered that area of the phone. When the LCI sticker turns pink or red, it means it has been triggered and liquid has gotten inside.
It’s important to check the LCI when getting your iPhone 11 repaired, as many companies will refuse service if the LCI has been triggered. An intact LCI shows no water damage has occurred. You can locate the LCI yourself by ejecting the SIM card tray and looking inside the SIM slot for the small white sticker. If the LCI appears triggered during a repair, you may need to replace the LCI sticker before the phone can be serviced.
Understanding the location and purpose of the iPhone 11 LCI can help you avoid expensive liquid damage repairs. Routinely checking it yourself allows you to quickly spot any problems and take action before corrosion can occur inside the phone. Being aware of the LCI is key for anyone who owns an iPhone 11 and wants to properly maintain or get it repaired.
