Water damage is a common problem with most smartphones. It can cause significant loss as water damaged phones don’t get the required price when sold or traded off. Repairing a water damaged phone also requires expertise.
Similar to other smartphones, iPhones and water isn’t meant to be friends. People carry their phones everywhere, to the beach or when they go swimming and even to the bathrooms. There are high chances that water may spill on it or the water gets splashed or submerged in water.
Though the newer iPhones are supposed to be water resistant, extended exposure to water can have a damaging effect. Water damaged phones are at the risk of losing their warranties and a significant drop in their value.
If you believe your iPhone has been exposed to water or has sustained any form of water damage, below mentioned are a few things that can help you determine if your iPhone has water damage.
How to tell if iPhone has water damage?
The iPhone works on amazing technology. The device is wired with small wires, connections and batteries that are responsible for the great performance and speed of the iPhone. Exposure to water can disrupt these connections and the phone may not function as required. Some of the first signs that the phone has been exposed to water or any liquid are:
- The phone may go silent with neither the headphones nor the external speakers emitting any sound.
- You may not be able to start some applications, even if they start they may end up closing immediately.
- The phone may behave funnily and keep turning off and on over and over again.
- Signs of water may be seen on the screen of the phone. A foggy appearance on the screen and some wet spots.
Even if you don’t experience any changes in the phone behavior or don’t see any physical damage to the phone, you can still determine if the phone was exposed to water or not. Apple has put in a tiny indicator inside all the iPhones. This indicator changes color on exposure to water. The location of the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) in each iPhone model varies.
- The LCI is located inside the charging port of the phone in iPhone 4 and 4s.
- The LCI is located inside the SIM tray in all the iPhone Models 5 and up.
To check for water or liquid exposure to the phone just remove the SIM tray and you will be able to see the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) inside. Depending on the model, the SIM tray would be located either under the Volume buttons on the left side or the right side under the Side button.
Opening the SIM tray in the new iPhone models is not simple. Use a SIM tray opener tool or a paperclip to pop out the tray. Always remember to switch off the phone before opening the SIM tray. Once the tray is out you can check the LCI, if it is no longer white and turned Red it means the phone has been exposed to water damage.
Water damage is not covered under Apple’s iPhone warranty. The newer models are water resistant however, continued exposure to water can damage the device.
iPhone repair services
If your phone has suffered water damage, it is advisable to take the iPhone to a professional iPhone repair and service care center. The experienced technicians can diagnose and fix the iPhone and get it back to working condition. Whether your phone has cracked screens or charging connection issue or a headphone socket problem, a professional repair service provider can solve all the iPhone related problems.