iPhones contain small water damage indicator strips that are designed to detect the presence of water or other liquids. Locating these sensors is important to determine if water damage has occurred and to assess the extent of the damage. A tripped or activated water damage sensor on an iPhone usually indicates some degree of water exposure, which can lead to corrosion and electrical shorts if left unchecked. Knowing where these water sensors are found allows iPhone users to quickly inspect them after water exposure incidents so they can promptly take action if needed, such as powering off the device, drying it out, or seeking repair. This helps minimize the impact of any water damage.
What is the iPhone Water Sensor?
The iPhone water sensor, also known as the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI), is a small sticker inside iPhones that changes color when it comes into contact with liquid, indicating possible water damage (Wired, 2007). The sensor contains soluble ink that dissolves and spreads out within the sticker when it gets wet, changing the sticker from white to red or pink (Harvest Cellular, 2013).
The main purpose of the water sensor is to allow Apple technicians to quickly identify iPhones that have been exposed to water or other liquids. Since water damage can cause corrosion and electrical shorts, seeing a tripped sensor alerts Apple that liquid ingress may be the cause of any issues with the phone. The sensor helps technicians diagnose problems and determine whether phones are eligible for repair under warranty (Gotta Be Mobile, 2012).
Locations of Water Sensors
Apple iPhones contain small Liquid Contact Indicators (LCIs) that are designed to detect the presence of water or other liquids. The location of these water sensors varies slightly across different iPhone models:
iPhone 7 Water Sensor
The iPhone 7 has water sensors located near the bottom speaker grille, SIM card tray, and near the charging port:
Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204104
iPhone 8 Water Sensor
The iPhone 8 water sensors are positioned by the bottom speaker, near the SIM card tray, and by the Lightning connector:
Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204104
iPhone X Water Sensor
The iPhone X has sensors near the bottom speaker, by the SIM card tray, and near the Lightning port:
Source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204104
iPhone 7 Water Sensor
The iPhone 7 has a small circular water contact indicator located inside the SIM card slot. To check it, you need to eject the SIM card tray. Inside the SIM card slot, you will see a small and nearly invisible circle that is the water contact indicator.
This water contact indicator has small discs within it that are white when dry but turn red when they come in contact with liquid. So if the normally white or silver disc has turned pink or red, that indicates water has tripped the sensor and entered that area of the phone.
According to Apple’s support page on liquid damage, the water contact indicator can be tripped by even a small amount of moisture, such as humidity or condensation. So a red dot inside the SIM card slot may indicate minor water exposure rather than complete submersion. You’ll need to inspect the rest of the phone and ports for corrosion or other signs of liquid damage.
To recap, the iPhone 7’s water contact indicator is located inside the SIM card slot. Eject the SIM tray and look for a small silver or white disc that will turn red if water is detected. A red dot means moisture entered but doesn’t necessarily confirm major water damage occurred.
iPhone 8 Water Sensor
The iPhone 8 has a water damage indicator located inside the SIM card tray. To check it, you need to eject the SIM card tray, which is on the right side of the iPhone 8. Once the tray is out, inspect the white sticker inside the SIM card slot. If the sticker has turned pink or red, that indicates water damage has occurred.
The water damage indicator sticker in the iPhone 8 is very small and sits towards the back of the SIM card tray. It may be difficult to see if you are not looking for it. The best way to find it is to shine a flashlight into the SIM card slot after removing the tray. The sticker will be white normally, so look for any tint of pink or red on the edges.
According to Buyback Boss, Apple started using these liquid contact indicator stickers inside the SIM tray beginning with the iPhone 7. So the iPhone 8 contains the same water damage sensor location. If liquid gets inside the iPhone 8 and hits this sticker, it will turn pink or red to visually indicate the presence of water intrusion.
iPhone X Water Sensor
The iPhone X has water damage indicators located in the SIM tray slot, near the Lightning connector port, and near the front-facing camera above the earpiece speaker. According to this source, the water damage indicators in the iPhone X are small white stickers. When exposed to moisture, the stickers will turn red or pink.
To check the water damage indicator near the Lightning port, you need to insert a SIM eject tool into the small hole above the Lightning port to pop open the SIM tray. The indicator sticker will be visible on the underside of the SIM tray. For the indicator near the front camera, you’ll need to carefully pry open the phone to view it.
If any of the iPhone X water damage indicator stickers have turned pink or red, it means liquid has gotten inside your device at some point. A tripped water sensor on iPhone X will void any warranty and make the phone ineligible for standard repair service.
iPhone 11 Water Sensor
The iPhone 11 contains water damage indicators inside the SIM tray and near the bottom of the charging port (The-DIY-Life, 2022). These stickers have a reddish or pink color when new, but turn white if they come into contact with liquid. To check the sensor near the charging port on iPhone 11 models, you’ll need to gently pry open the port using a plastic tool. Be very careful not to damage any components. The water damage indicators are small circular or oval stickers inside the port. If they have turned white or a faded pink color, that indicates water damage has occurred.
Sources:
The-DIY-Life. (2022, January 6). iPhone X/XS/11 Water Damage Indicator – How To See If Your iPhone Is Water Damaged. https://www.the-diy-life.com/iphone-x-xs-11-water-damage-indicator-how-to-see-if-your-iphone-is-water-damaged/
iPhone 12 Water Sensor
The iPhone 12 models (iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max) have a water damage indicator located inside the SIM card slot.
To find the water damage sensor on an iPhone 12 model, you will need to remove the SIM card tray. The SIM card tray is located on the right side of the iPhone, below the power button. Use a SIM card removal tool or a paperclip to pop out the SIM card tray.
Inside the SIM card slot, you will see a small white or silver sticker. This circular sticker is the liquid contact indicator (LCI) for iPhone 12 models. When dry, it should appear white or silver. If it has been exposed to water or liquid, it will turn fully red or pink.
If the LCI sticker inside your iPhone 12’s SIM card slot is red/pink, it means the sensor has been tripped and liquid has entered that area. You may need to have your iPhone evaluated for water damage repair.
It’s important to note the water damage sensor’s location in iPhone 12, as the SIM tray is a vulnerable point of entry for liquid. Checking this sensor can help determine if water caused internal damage. Knowing where to find the water indicator is key for identifying potential water damage issues in an iPhone 12.
Locating a Tripped Sensor
The iPhone’s liquid contact indicator is a small white sticker located inside the SIM card slot. To check if your iPhone’s water sensor has been activated:
- Turn off your iPhone and remove any case.
- Locate the SIM card tray on the right side of the iPhone.
- Use a SIM card removal tool to gently pop open the SIM card tray.
- Look inside the SIM card slot for a small white sticker. This is the liquid contact indicator.
- If the sticker has turned pink or red, the sensor has been tripped, indicating water damage.
Be very careful not to damage the liquid contact indicator when opening the SIM tray. If the sticker appears missing or damaged, the iPhone has likely already had liquid exposure. An authorized Apple service provider can also inspect the iPhone using diagnostic software to check if the water sensors have been activated.
It’s important to quickly identify water damage on an iPhone. A tripped sensor may indicate corrosion or short circuiting, which can permanently damage internal components. Checking the water sensors can help users get timely repairs after accidental water exposure.
Conclusion
In summary, the water sensor on iPhones is an important component that detects liquid damage. While the exact location varies between models, it is typically near the SIM card tray or battery connector. Knowing where the sensor is can help you quickly identify if it has been tripped, indicating potential water damage that requires attention. Properly locating water damage right when it occurs gives you the best chance to dry out the iPhone before corrosion sets in and causes permanent issues. Hopefully this overview has provided useful information to iPhone users about finding the water sensor and identifying liquid damage. Understanding the water sensor can help maximize your iPhone’s lifespan and avoid costly repairs.
To recap, key points covered include:
- Water sensors allow iPhones to detect liquid exposure and possible water damage
- Sensors are located near battery/SIM card area in different models
- A tripped sensor turns red due to a special indicator dye
- Finding the sensor quickly lets you address any water damage right away
- Knowing the sensor location is useful for identifying and troubleshooting issues
Being able to locate the iPhone water sensor and identify liquid damage can help you protect your device and potentially avoid expensive repairs down the line. This knowledge allows immediate action if water exposure does occur. We hope this overview gives you a better understanding of this important iPhone component.
