As an iPhone user, one of the biggest concerns is accidentally dropping your phone in water. Water can be extremely damaging to electronics, so it’s natural to worry about whether your iPhone 6 can survive if it takes an unexpected swim. In this article, we’ll look at the water resistance of the iPhone 6 and find out if it can survive underwater.
Is the iPhone 6 waterproof?
The iPhone 6 is not waterproof. Apple does not advertise it as water resistant or waterproof. So unlike some newer phones that are marketed as water resistant, the iPhone 6 does not have an official IP water resistance rating.
Without waterproofing, if the iPhone 6 gets wet, water can get into ports like the charging port and headphone jack. Water exposure can damage the internal components and circuitry, rendering the phone unusable.
Can the iPhone 6 handle splashes or brief water exposure?
While the iPhone 6 is not waterproof, it may be able to survive incidental splashes and brief water exposure in certain circumstances. Here are some factors that can help the iPhone 6 survive limited water contact:
- The build materials and tight tolerances help keep water out of the internal components.
- Water-resistant coatings are applied around some ports and openings during manufacturing.
- If water exposure is immediately limited to just exterior wetting, and the phone is powered off and dried out right away, it may continue to function.
However, direct splashes or drops into water substantially increase the risk of liquid ingress and damage. It only takes a small amount of water to create shorts and corrosion on the logic board or connectors. So while brief, limited splashes might be survived, it’s still an extremely risky situation for an iPhone 6.
Can the iPhone 6 survive being dropped in water?
Dropping an iPhone 6 into water significantly increases the chance of catastrophic water damage. Without waterproof seals around the openings, when the phone is fully submerged, water can quickly seep into the internal components.
The amount of time submerged also makes a big difference. A very brief dunk with immediate retrieval and drying may allow the phone to survive with minimal issues. However, within seconds to minutes, enough water will reach the logic board and other electronics to cause failures.
Most iPhone water damage occurs when the phone is dropped into:
- Toilets – The contaminants in toilet water can rapidly corrode connections and components even faster than clean water.
- Sinks or tubs – Deep sinks and tubs allow longer exposure time as the phone sinks to the bottom.
- Washing machines – The water pressure and turbulence in a washing machine almost always causes irrecoverable damage.
- Pools, lakes, oceans – The greater depth allows extensive water exposure.
Without complete waterproofing, briefly dropping an iPhone 6 in water usually destroys the phone. The longer the submersion time, the lower the chances of survival.
Does the iPhone 6 have any internal water sensors or indicators?
Yes, the iPhone 6 contains internal indicators that can detect water exposure. There are small water contact indicator stickers visible internally:
- Near the SIM card tray
- On the logic board
The contacts on these stickers are designed to corrode and change color when exposed to moisture, providing visual evidence of water contact. This helps technicians diagnose water damage during repairs.
If the water indicators are tripped, Apple may refuse warranty coverage since water damage is not covered under the warranty. So make sure to avoid any water exposure to prevent triggering these sensors.
What happens if an iPhone 6 gets wet? Can it be fixed?
If an iPhone 6 does get exposed to water, it may begin exhibiting issues like:
- Not powering on
- Display glitches or distortion
- Speakers/microphone failing
- Corrosion on charger connector
- Buttons becoming unresponsive
- Short circuits and catastrophic component failures
Any amount of water can create gradual corrosion over time. So even if the phone initially seems to work after getting wet, the damage can get worse in the following days or weeks.
For the best chance of saving a water damaged iPhone 6, immediate action is required:
- Dry it out – Use a soft dry cloth to wipe off exterior water. Do not try charging it until it’s completely dry.
- Turn it off – Power it down immediately to avoid shorts and further damage.
- Remove all connectors – Take out the SIM card and charger cable to avoid corrosion.
- Use desiccant packets – Place phone in a sealed bag with desiccant packs designed to absorb moisture.
- Wait 48+ hours – Let the phone thoroughly dry out before attempting to turn it on again.
- Get professional help – Most water damage requires component-level microsoldering repairs. Hire an experienced phone repair tech for best results.
With rapid drying and professional intervention, it is sometimes possible to resurrect an iPhone 6 after brief water submersion. But long-term water exposure often causes irreversible board corrosion and damage requiring extensive parts replacement.
How to keep the iPhone 6 dry and water-free
Since the iPhone 6 is not waterproof, it’s important to keep it away from moisture. Here are some tips to avoid water damage:
- Use a protective case – A good case provides extra protection if accidentally dropped.
- Avoid bathrooms – Don’t take the phone into humid bathrooms or near pools and lakes where an accidental drop is more likely.
- Never charge near water – Only use the charger in dry locations to prevent electric shocks or shorts.
- Handle with care around sinks – Be very careful not to drop the phone in sinks or tubs.
- Keep away from heavy rain – Don’t use the phone unprotected in heavy rainfall.
- Watch out for condensation – Temperature changes from cold to hot can create damaging condensation inside the phone.
Careful handling is the best way to keep an iPhone 6 in good working order and avoid costly water damage repairs. For added peace of mind, purchase a waterproof case or consider upgrading to a water resistant phone in the future.
Does AppleCare cover water damage on the iPhone 6?
Standard AppleCare and AppleCare+ purchased for the iPhone 6 do NOT cover water damage. The warranties exclude any failure caused by:
- Liquid contact
- Dropping in water
- Exposure to rain or moisture
So if an iPhone 6 gets wet and sustains water damage, Apple will NOT repair or replace it for free under warranty. The owner will be responsible for any repair costs.
Some insurance plans like mobile phone insurance through carriers may help cover water damage. But AppleCare will not pay for water damage repairs on an iPhone 6.
Does the iPhone 6s or newer models survive water any better?
Unlike the iPhone 6, newer iPhone models starting with the iPhone 6s have improved water resistance, though are still not fully waterproof. Here is how later models compare for water and splash protection:
| iPhone Model | Level of Water Resistance |
|---|---|
| iPhone 6 | None |
| iPhone 6s/6s Plus | Some splash resistance |
| iPhone 7/7 Plus | IP67 rating, 1m depth x 30 min |
| iPhone 8/8 Plus | IP67 rating, 1m depth x 30 min |
| iPhone X | IP67 rating, 1m depth x 30 min |
| iPhone XR/XS/11 | IP68 rating, 2m depth x 30 min |
| iPhone 12/13 | IP68 rating, 6m depth x 30 min |
While no iPhone is fully waterproof, the newer models are significantly more water resistant. Each version can withstand greater depths for longer without issues. So upgrading to a newer iPhone greatly improves chances of surviving minor water exposure.
Conclusion
In summary, the iPhone 6 is not waterproof or water resistant. Getting it wet, especially full submersion, has a very high chance of destroying the phone due to liquid damage of internal components. To keep an iPhone 6 working reliably, it is critical to keep it dry and get water damage repaired immediately by a professional if it does occur. Upgrading to a water resistant iPhone model greatly improves survival odds if the phone takes an accidental dip.