What Is an iPhone IP Rating? Everything You Need to Know About Water Resistance

We take our phones with us everywhere we go in today’s society. While modern smartphones are more resistant to the elements than ever, this doesn’t mean they’re impervious to damage. If you want to know how water resistant your iPhone is, check out its IP rating.

IP ratings describe how resistant a device is to water, dust, and dirt. Knowing your iPhone’s IP rating can help you make smarter decisions about when it’s safe to use. However, not all iPhone models have the same ratings, so let’s examine how different models have varying levels of water and dust resistance.

What Does an iPhone Model’s IP Rating Mean?

The Ingress Protection (IP) rating is an international standard in consumer law. A device’s IP rating indicates its resistance levels to dust and liquid damage. You’ll typically see these ratings displayed like this: IP68. Each of those two digits has a different meaning. The first digit indicates how dust resistant the device is, while the second digit indicates its water resistance rating.

Since IP68 is the IP rating for all iPhone models since the XS, let’s break down what the 68 stands for:

• First number: This digit ranges from 0 to 6 and indicates the device’s dust resistance. A 0 rating means that it has no protection at all, while a 6 indicates that it has full protection.
• Second number: This digit ranges from 0 to 9 and indicates the device’s water resistance. A 0 rating means that it has no resistance, while a 9 indicates that it can resist hot, high-velocity water from various angles.

In this context, where higher numbers mean greater protection, an IP68 rating means the device has the highest possible level of dust resistance. In addition, its water Ingress Protection rating of 8 means that it includes protection against “continuous immersion in water.”

While it might seem that the modern iPhone’s IP68 rating indicates that there are devices with greater water pressure resistance, this isn’t really the case. Ratings of 9 for water resistance are almost never used except for highly specialized products that use special enclosures. So, practically speaking, the IP68 rating means that an iPhone has the maximum possible resistance to both water and dust, assuming normal wear.

However, it isn’t always quite so simple, and there are still ways that dust and water can damage your iPhone.

How Dust- and Water-Resistant Are iPhones?

The iPhone 7 was the first model of Apple smartphones to earn an IP rating. Along with the 7 Series, the 8 Series, X Series, and iPhone SE Series (2nd and 3rd Gen) all had IP67 ratings. This means that the devices were as dustproof as today’s iPhone 16 Series, but their water resistance rating left something to be desired.

A rating of 7 for water resistance means that the device can withstand being immersed in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes or less. However, the 8 rating has some nuance to it. Even though the last seven series of iPhones have had the same IP68 rating, Apple indicates that newer models have superior water resistance to the older ones.

The iPhone XS and XS Max feature water resistance of up to two meters for 30 minutes, while the iPhone 11 Series can withstand up to four meters of water. Water damage is even more uncommon for the iPhone 12 Series and newer models, including the iPhone 16. That’s because these iPhones can resist leakage in up to six meters of water!

The Difference Between Water Resistant and Waterproof

That said, being waterproof and water resistant are two different things — iPhones are the latter, not the former. This means that you shouldn’t just let a wet iPhone sit in water indefinitely, as it will eventually leak in, especially through the charging port.

In fact, Apple’s improvement from Lightning to USB-C cables did much more than just improve charging performance. The Lightning port was one of the most water-sensitive components of older iPhones, and USB-C ports are more durable in this regard.

Even with the upgrades in recent iPhone models, you certainly shouldn’t just dump your phone in a lake to see what happens. Once the phone’s internal components start to absorb moisture, the chances of damage skyrocket. It’s also important to note that IP ratings refer to fresh water — saltwater can still easily corrode the iPhone’s components.

While there is some nuance to dust ratings as well, there isn’t nearly as much variance between devices with the top-tier “6” rating. As long as you don’t take it on any lengthy trips through the desert, the iPhone’s dust resistance will probably hold up. That said, always use a lint-free cloth to avoid tiny particles from getting embedded in your screen when you clean it.

What if My iPhone Has Water or Dust Damage?

Sometimes, even the highest levels of dust and water resistance aren’t enough. If you drop your phone in a lake and can’t fish it out in a half hour or less, there’s an excellent chance that it’ll be damaged. In this scenario, you could experience some tough luck: Apple explicitly says that it does not cover any kind of dust or liquid damage under its warranties.

However, if you have AppleCare+, your wet or dusty phone problems could have much simpler solutions. That’s because AppleCare+ offers dust and water damage protection services. While there is an annual limit on how many times they’ll fix your dust- or water-damaged phone, and you’ll pay a small service fee each time as well, it can still potentially save you hundreds of dollars if your phone ends up getting wet or dirty.

How to Prevent Dust and Water Damage

Today’s iPhones have highly impressive IP ratings, but this doesn’t make them impervious to damage from dust and water. Here are some quick tips and tricks that can keep your phone clean and dry.

• Keep it in a waterproof case. Even these “waterproof” devices are more often water resistant than truly waterproof, but they can still provide a significant level of added protection. Waterproof cases are especially useful if you spend lots of time at the beach or on the water. And they help resist dust, too!
• Don’t charge a wet phone. If your phone gets wet, moisture stuck in the charging port can cause serious problems. Gently wipe off your device and blow some air into the port, then let it sit until it’s completely dry.
• Stay away from saltwater. Even though modern iPhones are tremendously water resistant in fresh water, the salt and other minerals in ocean water can badly corrode even an IP68-rated phone.
• Avoid cracks and drops. If your phone has any cosmetic imperfections — like a cracked screen or dented frame — these could significantly affect its water resistance.

If you think your iPhone has water damage, check inside the SIM card slot. Apple includes a Liquid Contact Indicator in the SIM slot. If it’s white, you’re in the clear.

However, if it’s red, your phone’s internal components may have been exposed to water. In this situation, take your phone to an Apple Store or visit another Apple Authorized Service Center immediately.

Can I Sell a Water-Damaged iPhone?

Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t buy used iPhones with water damage. To be clear, if your phone has extensive water damage, it’s unlikely that anyone will give you much (if any) money for it. Once a phone’s internal components get wet, they’re pretty much done for.

That said, here at ecoATM, we might be able to offer you cash for your water-damaged iPhone if we think it has enough salvageable components. To find out, bring it to your nearest ecoATM kiosk and allow it to evaluate your phone. After a brief assessment, we’ll either make a cash offer for your phone or offer to recycle it on your behalf, free of charge.

To maximize your ROI on your next smartphone, always keep it in good condition. If you use a sturdy case and keep your phone away from water sources, you can extend its lifespan and maximize its resale value — that’s always a winning combination!