I‘ll get right to it – no, the iPhone 11 is not fully waterproof. But it is water resistant thanks to its IP68 rating. I‘ll explain exactly what that means shortly.
Water damage is a major risk for smartphones like the iPhone 11. Let‘s dive deeper into how it holds up against water, so you can better protect your phone.
Evaluating Water Resistance
First, let‘s clarify the terminology…
Waterproof means completely impervious to water – you could submerge the device indefinitely without issues. This level of protection is extremely rare in consumer electronics.
Water resistant provides only limited defense against water. The phone can withstand water exposure to a certain depth and duration, but has its limits.
Most modern high-end phones like your iPhone 11 are water resistant, not fully waterproof. This distinction is important.
Apple carefully avoids marketing the iPhone 11 as "waterproof" because it implies your phone is impervious to water, which isn‘t true.
The IP68 Rating
Apple assigns an IP68 ingress protection rating to the iPhone 11.
This IP number tells us two things:
The first digit is about dust protection. 6 means the iPhone 11 is "dust tight" against dirt and debris intrusion.
The second digit rates liquid protection. 8 indicates your phone can withstand immersion in water, with specific limits.
So IP68 guarantees the iPhone 11 can survive being submerged at a limited depth and duration. But how deep, and for how long before issues arise?
Water Resistance Limits
Here are the key IP68 water resistance specifications for the iPhone 11:
- Maximum submersion depth: 2 meters (6.56 feet)
- Maximum submersion duration: 30 minutes
So in theory, the iPhone 11 could withstand being underwater at depths up to 2 meters for half an hour without issues.
But keep in mind, Apple designed it to resist water, not get repeatedly doused or submerged. Let‘s look at how they achieved this IP68 rating.
How the iPhone 11 Resists Water
Apple incorporated several design elements to achieve the IP68 water resistance rating on your iPhone 11:
Water-resistant adhesive seals – Gaskets and adhesive completely seal the phone‘s enclosure and openings.
Hydrophobic water contact indicators – Stickers inside the SIM card and charging port turn from white to red upon water exposure.
Membranes across openings – Water-repellent mesh membranes cover the speakers and microphone ports.
Reinforced charging port – The Lightning port tightly seals to repel water even with a cable inserted.
While these provide decent water protection, it‘s not perfect. The seals can gradually wear over time. And manufacturing defects could leave tiny gaps for moisture to intrude.
Prolonged submersion stresses the water barriers beyond their intended design limits. So while your iPhone 11 meets the IP68 spec, that‘s not a permanent guarantee.
The Limits of IP68 Water Resistance
I don‘t want to give you a false sense of security about the IP68 rating. It does not mean you should be getting your iPhone 11 wet intentionally.
Here are some important disclaimers about the water protections:
Apple does not cover water damage under warranty, even with an IP68 rating.
Water resistance may decrease over time as seals degrade from normal wear.
Repairs from unauthorized technicians often compromise water sealing.
The IP68 spec only applies to fresh water, not soaps, chemicals, saltwater, etc.
High water pressure or velocities can push past the seals.
Using the phone underwater violates the IP68 parameters.
While the iPhone 11 has decent water defenses, it‘s not a waterproof device. You‘ll get best results by keeping it dry and handled carefully.
Now let‘s explore how the iPhone 11 holds up in real world water situations.
Does the iPhone 11 Work Underwater?
While the iPhone 11 can physically withstand brief underwater submersion thanks to its IP68 rating, the touchscreen and Face ID features do not work when submerged.
The capacitive touch sensor relies on electrical signals from your fingertip, which won‘t transmit through water. And the dot projector and flood illuminator that enable Face ID facial recognition will not operate underwater either.
In theory the iPhone 11‘s internal components like the processor and radios could function when submerged within IP68 limits. But the device is not optimized for sustained underwater usage.
You‘d need an entirely waterproof Bluetooth headset to make calls submerged. The microphone and speakers still transmit muffled audio when underwater.
Bottom line – the iPhone 11 won‘t actually work right if you‘re using it while it‘s submerged. Brief dips below the surface are tolerated, but not recommended by Apple.
Can the iPhone 11 Go in Saltwater or Chlorinated Pools?
The IP68 certification applies specifically to fresh water. Saltwater and chlorinated pool water could impact the iPhone 11 over time.
Saltwater is highly conductive and corrosive. The sodium chloride salt can penetrate adhesive seals and cause electrical shorts. Rinse off your phone in fresh water after any seawater exposure.
Pool disinfectants like chlorine can damage rubber gaskets and plastics. After a dip in the pool, be sure to clean your iPhone 11 externally with fresh water to avoid chemical buildup damaging the water seals.
While the iPhone 11 may survive brief, accidental submersion in brackish and chlorinated water thanks to tight sealing, prolonged exposure is unwise due to the chemistry degrading water protections.
Is the iPhone 11 Okay in Hot Tubs or Steam Rooms?
Very high temperatures and dense steam pose problems for the iPhone 11‘s water sealing capabilities.
Hot tubs combine heat, chemicals, agitation, and sustained moisture. The high temperatures accelerate seal deterioration. Chlorine residues compromise gaskets. Powerful jets blast water past barriers. And prolonged soaking allows moisture buildup inside.
Steam room humidity condenses on surfaces. The hot, dense steam has lots of moisture to infiltrate ports and openings. Apple suggests keeping the iPhone 11 away from steam rooms or saunas exceeding 95°F – hot steam causes issues.
While the IP68 rating offers decent liquid protections, extremely wet and hot environments tax those seals to their limits. Best to play it safe and keep your phone away from hot tubs and steam rooms.
Can the iPhone 11 Get Wet from Rain or Splashes?
Yes, the iPhone 11 is well equipped to withstand light splashes or rain exposure without issues, thanks to the IP68 sealing.
Getting briefly rained on or accidentally splashed will not hurt the iPhone 11. Just be sure to wipe away any standing liquid when reasonably possible.
Avoid using your phone in sustained heavy rain. But the occasional splash or wet fingers from rain should not pose any problems due to the water-tight seals.
Just don‘t intentionally spray your iPhone 11 with water. The liquid contact indicators inside will assume water got in, voiding your warranty. Be prudent even though the phone has decent water defenses.
How Does Water Actually Damage an iPhone?
We‘ve established the iPhone 11 has good – but not foolproof – water defenses. But how exactly does water damage electronics anyway?
There are a few ways liquid can wreak havoc on delicate electronics like your iPhone:
Corrosion – Water shorts or corrodes electrical contacts and component leads. This leads to malfunctions.
Oxidation – When powered up while wet, oxidation rusts metallic surfaces causing permanent damage.
Deposits – Mineral sediment from water residue can inhibit circuit function over time.
Short circuits – Water bridging connections can short-circuit powered up components and fry them.
Leakage current – Water is conductive, allowing parasitic current flows where none should exist.
Minor moisture exposure causes gradual issues like corroded connectors or speakers sounding muffled. But if water gets on powered up circuitry, it can instantly fry components.
That‘s why immediate powering down of wet devices is critical. Preventing current flow while liquid is present avoids short circuit damage.
How to Dry a Wet iPhone 11
Okay, so your iPhone 11 got wet – now what? Here are the proper steps to dry it out:
Immediately power off the device – This prevents electrical shorts while water is present.
Do NOT try charging it – Attempting to charge before it‘s completely dry risks damage.
Wipe away exterior water – Use a soft lint-free cloth to absorb surface moisture.
Place it in front of a fan – Aim a fan directly at the phone to accelerate evaporation.
Stick it in rice (optional) – An urban myth says rice absorbs moisture, but silica gel is better.
Use desiccant packets – Place phone and packets sealed in an airtight bag for 24-48 hours to dehydrate interior.
Check water contact sensors – Sensors in the SIM tray and charging port turn red upon liquid exposure.
Let it air dry for 72+ hours – Allow ample time for any internal moisture to completely evaporate before powering on.
Inspect for odd noises – Power it on and listen closely for buzzing or crackling noises indicating water damage.
Test functions – Verify the speakers, mics, cameras, charging port, etc all work correctly after drying.
Consider professional help – If issues persist after thorough drying, seek professional water extraction services.
With prompt power-down and adequate drying time, you can often resurrect a waterlogged iPhone. But liquid exposure poses serious risk for electronics, so prevention is key.
Does AppleCare Cover iPhone 11 Water Damage?
Water exposure is explicitly excluded from warranty coverage and AppleCare+ plans for the iPhone 11.
The liquid contact indicators inside the phone turn red if water gets inside. This automatically voids any Apple warranty or extended coverage.
You will have to pay entirely out of pocket for any repairs related to water damage on your iPhone 11. This gives you all the more reason to keep it dry and handle with care.
How Much Does iPhone 11 Water Damage Repair Cost?
If your iPhone 11 sustains water damage, repair costs vary based on the components affected:
- Logic board replacement due to corrosion: $419+
- New display assembly due to stained water sensors: $279+
- Charging port or speaker replacement: $99+
- Full device replacement: $549+
Severe corrosion can total an entire phone. But even minor moisture triggers elevated repair fees and voided warranty coverage.
Can You Shower or Swim With the iPhone 11?
Neither showers nor swimming pools are appropriate places for electronics like the iPhone 11.
Hot steamy showers introduce heat, humidity, and soapy residues which compromise water protections. Dropping your slippery iPhone 11 onto hard surfaces also risks cracked screens.
While the iPhone 11 can briefly withstand water exposure thanks to its IP68 rating, the pressurized jets from shower heads may penetrate seals. It‘s best to enjoy music from a waterproof Bluetooth speaker instead.
Swimming pools harbor liquids and chemicals the iPhone 11 is not designed to withstand long-term. The pressures from diving into deeper depths beyond the 2 meter rating are problematic. And jostling a submerged phone often breaks the watertight seal.
While the iPhone 11 may endure an accidental quick dip, it‘s unwise to intentionally submerge it without a waterproof case, despite the IP68 rating.
When Does the iPhone 11 Lose Its Water Resistance?
The water protections on the iPhone 11 can degrade over time, resulting in reduced water resistance.
As the adhesive seals age and plastic components subtly warp, tiny gaps open allowing moisture ingress. The gaskets also wear out over years of use.
Dramatic temperature shifts can accelerate the degradation. Use in steam rooms, hot tubs and pools hastens the breakdown of water sealing.
And remember, any repairs or openings of the phone by unauthorized servicers likely sabotage the meticulous waterproofing done at the factory. Always use Apple for any service to maintain water seals.
So in summary, the IP68 water resistance has an expiration date. Expect the water protections to slowly decline over your iPhone 11‘s lifecycle.
iPhone 11 Waterproof Case Recommendations
To protect your iPhone 11 beyond its built-in IP68 water defenses, consider a waterproof case:
Catalyst Waterproof Case – Extremely durable design rated to 33 feet, combines water protection and drop resistance.
UBeesize Waterproof Case – Slim profile still allows touchscreen use, waterproof rated to 131 feet.
JOTO Universal Waterproof Pouch – Simple watertight bag works to depths of 100 feet and costs under $10.
LifeProof FRĒ Waterproof Case – Submersible to 6.6 feet, slim design, and touchscreen compatible.
Otterbox Defender Series Case – Rugged protection from drops plus IP68 water resistance rating.
SwitchEasy OzoBag Dry Waterproof Bag – Reusable Touch-sensitive waterproof pouch rated to 130 feet.
I suggest pairing a waterproof case with a floating lanyard or strap. This prevents the case from sinking if dropped in water. Give your iPhone 11 maximum chances of survival near wet environments.
Maintaining Water Seals Over Time
To prolong the lifespan of the iPhone 11‘s water seals, be sure to:
Avoid unnecessary water exposure – don‘t intentionally submerge it.
Promptly dry it off if splashed or wet. Lingering moisture degrades seals.
Keep away from hot tubs, steam rooms, and saunas.
Don‘t directly spray with water jets which could overwhelm seals.
Thoroughly rinse of any soaps, pool chemicals, or saltwater residues.
Use only Apple authorized technicians for any repairs. Third parties often botch waterproofing.
Consider a waterproof case as supplemental protection.
With proper care, the iPhone 11 can realistically retain its designed water resistance for 3-5 years. But seals weaken over time, so handle it with care around liquids.
The Bottom Line
While the iPhone 11 meets the IP68 spec for water resistance, it‘s not a completely waterproof device. You‘ll get best results by keeping it dry, wiping away spills immediately, and avoiding hazardous wet environments.
Brief, accidental splashes or dunks will likely be tolerated thanks to the watertight sealing measures. But prolonged submersion stresses the limits of the safety barriers.
I hope this deep dive explained the nuances around water and your iPhone 11. The phone has decent liquid defenses, but isn‘t invincible. With prudent care, your iPhone 11 can enjoy a long water-free life. Just use common sense and avoid unnecessary water exposure.
Stay dry out there!
