Quick Answer
Apple may replace an iPhone that has water damage, but it is not guaranteed. The outcome depends on a few factors:
- If the device is still under warranty, Apple is more likely to replace it.
- If there are signs of external water damage, replacement is less likely.
- If the water indicator inside the phone has turned red, Apple will not replace it for free.
So in summary, if your iPhone is still under warranty and hasn’t been obviously water damaged on the outside, take it to Apple and plead your case. Be honest but emphasize you had no intention of liquid exposure. There’s a chance they’ll take pity and swap it out.
What are the chances Apple will replace a water damaged iPhone?
First, let’s start with the basics. The iPhone warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship. Accidental damage from liquid is explicitly not covered.
So if an iPhone gets wet, Apple is under no obligation to repair or replace it for free. However, there are a few situations where they may make an exception:
- The device is still under the 1 year limited warranty.
- There is no sign of external water damage. The outside of the phone looks pristine.
- The internal Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) has not been triggered. This is a small sticker inside the phone that turns red if it gets wet.
Under these circumstances, Apple may determine the issue was due to a manufacturing defect and not water exposure. In that case, they’ll often replace the device as a one-time exception to the warranty policy.
Essentially, if it’s plausible that the water intrusion was caused by a production defect, Apple is more inclined to give the customer the benefit of the doubt. However, if there are obvious signs of water damage, they can easily deny the claim and blame it on the user.
What percentage of water damaged iPhones does Apple replace?
It’s hard to put an exact number on it, but estimates suggest Apple agrees to swap out 15-30% of iPhones with liquid damage that are still under warranty.
For devices that are out of warranty, the replacement rate drops to nearly zero. The exception would be if the customer purchases an extended AppleCare+ plan, which covers accidental damage from handling (including water).
So in summary:
- Under warranty with no signs of water damage: 15-30% replacement rate
- Out of warranty: Less than 5% replacement rate
- With AppleCare+: Much higher than 95% replacement rate
The numbers aren’t definitive, but they give a ballpark estimate based on Apple’s practices. Unless the customer has purchased additional coverage, Apple is not obligated to service water damaged devices for free.
What are the signs of water damage in an iPhone?
If an iPhone has been exposed to liquid, there are usually a few telltale signs. Apple Geniuses are trained to look for these indicators when determining whether a device can be replaced under warranty:
External water damage
– Rusted SIM card tray
– Corrosion around ports, screws, or speaker grills
– Fogginess or distortion under the rear camera glass
Internal water damage
– Triggered liquid contact indicators – small internal stickers that turn red when wet
– Visible corrosion inside the device
– Short circuits and electrical failure resulting from liquid
Software and performance issues
– Glitchy display with unresponsive or inaccurate touch input
– Speakers and microphone producing crackling/popping sounds
– Connection problems with WiFi, Bluetooth, or cellular data
– General instability like random crashes and freezing
– Dimming or flickering screen brightness at random
In severe cases of liquid exposure, the iPhone may not power on at all or only work intermittently. Any of these symptoms could stem from water damage and reduce the chances of Apple repairing or replacing the device for free.
What are liquid contact indicators (LCIs)?
Liquid contact indicators, or LCIs, are tiny internal sticker-like sensors that are triggered irreversibly when exposed to moisture. They essentially act as a water damage detector inside the iPhone.
Here’s a quick overview of how LCIs work:
- LCIs contain materials that are sensitive to moisture.
- The stickers are placed strategically inside an iPhone near openings and ports.
- On newer iPhones, there are 2-3 LCIs located near the SIM card, by the battery, and on the logic board.
- The LCI sticker is white or silver when dry and turns bright red when wet.
- Once red, the color change is permanent and does not reverse back to white.
When servicing a water damaged iPhone, Apple Geniuses will immediately check these liquid contact indicators. If they find a triggered red LCI, they can definitively confirm liquid exposure and deny any warranty coverage.
So in summary, LCIs act as internal forensic evidence of water damage in an iPhone. Once red, they cannot be reversed and the iPhone cannot be warrantied.
What should I do if my iPhone gets wet?
If your iPhone is exposed to any kind of liquid, staying calm and taking quick action is important. Here are the recommended steps:
- Immediately remove the phone from the liquid and dry it as much as possible. Use a clean, soft cloth to soak up excess moisture.
- If possible, open the SIM card tray to help drain out the water.
- Do NOT try to power on the phone while wet, as this can short circuit the device.
- Place the iPhone in front of a fan to actively air dry the water, ideally for 24-48 hours.
- Do not use any heat sources like hairdryers or microwaves to dry, which can damage internal components.
- Once completely dry, attempt to switch on the iPhone. If it works normally, you should be in the clear.
- If it displays any glitches or odd behaviors, immediately take it to Apple to determine next steps.
The quicker you can remove water and dry out the device, the better your chances of avoiding permanent internal damage. With immediate care, it is possible for an iPhone to survive accidental water exposure.
Should I be honest if my iPhone has liquid damage?
If you bring your malfunctioning iPhone into an Apple Store or service provider, it’s best to be upfront about any accidental liquid exposure. There are a few reasons why honesty is the recommended policy:
- Apple technicians can detect water damage regardless of what you tell them. When they open up the phone and inspect the internals or run diagnostics, liquid exposure will be apparent.
- Providing accurate information allows them to better pinpoint the cause of the problem and recommend appropriate solutions.
- Admitting what happened shows you have nothing to hide and are just looking for a good faith repair.
- The technicians may appreciate your candidness and be more willing to work with you on replacement options.
- Lying or hiding water damage could be viewed as attempted fraud and may jeopardize Apple’s warranty policies.
The bottom line: don’t try to deny or cover up any accidental iPhone water damage. Honesty is the best policy when dealing with Apple. Tell the truth upfront, plead your case politely, and hope for the most favorable outcome.
What are my options if Apple won’t replace my water damaged iPhone?
If Apple determines your iPhone cannot be replaced for free due to liquid damage, you still have a few options:
Pay for an out-of-warranty replacement
Apple may be willing to sell you a replacement iPhone at their out-of-warranty pricing:
– iPhone replacement: $299 (plus tax)
– iPhone screen replacement: $129 (plus tax)
While expensive, this is cheaper than buying a brand new iPhone.
File an insurance claim
If you pay for mobile phone insurance, it may cover water damage and lost/stolen devices. Just be sure to read your policy’s fine print for details.
Use a third party repair service
Independent repair shops can sometimes fix water damaged iPhones for much less than Apple. Just ensure they use high quality replacement parts.
Trade it in and put credit towards a new iPhone
Even broken iPhones hold trade-in value with services like Apple Trade-In and Decluttr. You can offset the cost of a new device.
Sell it for parts on eBay
While not usable as a whole phone, your water damaged iPhone can be sold for parts like a working display, rear camera, logic board components, etc.
So in summary, not all hope is lost if Apple refuses to swap out your liquid-exposed iPhone. You have routes to get a replacement or offset upgrade costs.
Does AppleCare+ cover water damage?
The regular AppleCare Protection Plan for iPhone does NOT cover accidental damage from liquid exposure. However, AppleCare+ does provide coverage for water damage and submersion.
Here are the key differences between the plans:
AppleCare Protection Plan
– Extends warranty coverage to 2 years from purchase date
– Covers manufacturer defects only
– Does NOT cover accidental damage
– Repair fee for screen damage: $129
– Repair fee for any other damage: $299
AppleCare+
– Extends warranty coverage to 2 years from purchase date
– Adds coverage for 2 incidents of accidental damage
– Covers any operational failure from accidental water damage
– Screen or back glass damage fee: $29
– Any other accidental damage fee: $99
So in summary, the AppleCare+ plan is the only Apple warranty that provides some protection against water exposure or submersion accidents. Just be sure to purchase it within the first 60 days of buying your iPhone.
Does iPhone water damage coverage apply internationally?
For the most part, Apple’s policies for water damaged iPhones are the same internationally as in the United States. However, there are a few nuances depending on country:
- Apple’s standard 1 year limited warranty covers iPhones in most countries.
- AppleCare+ is available internationally, though exact fees and purchase windows vary.
- Local consumer laws in some countries offer protections beyond Apple’s standard warranty.
- iPhones purchased in one country may only be serviced by Apple within that country.
- Mail-in repair options for accidental damage may not be universally available.
- Repair pricing and parts availability may differ across regions.
To summarize, Apple’s stance on servicing water damaged iPhones does apply globally. But practical logistics may vary internationally. Your best bet is contacting Apple support in your specific country for detailed local guidance.
What are my rights if Apple refuses to honor the warranty?
If Apple determines your iPhone was damaged by accidental liquid exposure and denies you warranty coverage, here are some next steps to consider:
Politely escalate your case
Calmly explain why you believe your situation warrants an exception to policy. Ask to speak to a supervisor or manager at Apple to plead your case.
Contact Apple Support
Explain the situation to Apple’s phone, chat, or email support teams. They can document your case and may have additional options.
File a complaint with Apple
Formally submit a complaint through Apple’s website detailing what happened and requesting further assistance.
File a complaint with regulatory bodies
In certain regions, you can report warranty disputes to consumer protection agencies who can intervene on your behalf.
Consult consumer law attorneys
If you strongly feel Apple is shirking its responsibilities, consider discussing the situation with knowledgeable legal counsel.
In most cases, reasonable cooperation with Apple support staff should result in some type of fair resolution. But you also have the right to formally complain and solicit help if you feel mistreated.
Conclusion
While not guaranteed, Apple may agree to replace an iPhone suffering from accidental water damage – especially if the device is still under warranty and appears pristine on the outside. Be honest about any liquid exposure when seeking a repair or replacement, as Apple can easily detect internal water damage indicators. If they refuse service, politely plead your case and consider alternative options like insurance claims, third party repair, trade-in credit, or selling the damaged device for parts. With reasonable persistence and realistic expectations when dealing with water damaged iPhones, many customers are able to reach satisfactory outcomes with Apple.
| Scenario | Likelihood of Free Replacement |
|---|---|
| Under warranty, no external damage | 15-30% |
| Under warranty, external damage present | Less than 5% |
| Out of warranty, no damage | Less than 5% |
| Out of warranty, external damage | Virtually 0% |
| With AppleCare+ | Greater than 95% |