iPhone Waterproof Guide: Water Resistance by Model

iPhones are water-resistant, not waterproof

No iPhone is fully waterproof. Apple describes recent models as splash, water, and dust resistant, and each supported model has an IP rating tested under controlled laboratory conditions.

That distinction is important. A water-resistance rating means an iPhone was tested against a specific depth and time limit in fresh water under lab conditions. It does not mean the phone is safe for swimming, showering, salt water, pools, soap, steam, pressure, or repeated water exposure.

Apple also says splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions. Resistance can decrease with normal wear, drops, repairs, cracked glass, worn seals, or other damage.

Quick iPhone water resistance table

Apple's current support page groups iPhone water resistance into four main levels:

Older iPhones before iPhone 7 are not listed by Apple with these splash, water, and dust resistance ratings.

What IP67 means

IP67 means the device has a dust-resistance rating of 6 and a water-resistance rating of 7 under IEC standard 60529.

For the iPhone models Apple lists as IP67, the stated test limit is:

• up to 1 metre of water
• up to 30 minutes

This applies to models such as iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone XR, and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation).

In everyday terms, IP67 is meant for accidental exposure. It is more about surviving a splash or brief drop than being used around water on purpose.

What IP68 means

IP68 means the device has the same dust-resistance rating of 6, but a higher water-resistance rating of 8.

The exact depth can vary by manufacturer and model. For iPhones, Apple lists three IP68 depth groups:

• iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone 11: up to 2 metres for 30 minutes
• iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max: up to 4 metres for 30 minutes
• iPhone 12 and later listed models: up to 6 metres for 30 minutes

That means two iPhones can both be IP68 but still have different listed depth limits.

iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17e

Apple lists iPhone 17e, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max as IP68 with a maximum depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes.

This puts the current iPhone lineup in Apple's highest listed iPhone water-resistance group.

That does not mean these phones are designed for underwater photography or regular water use. It means they have the same lab-tested splash, water, and dust resistance class as the iPhone 12 through iPhone 16 families.

iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 families

Apple lists these iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 models as IP68 with a maximum depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes:

• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

For most buyers, the water-resistance rating should not be a major reason to choose between these models. They are in the same 6-metre IP68 group.

Other factors, such as battery, camera, Apple Intelligence support, storage, price, and resale value, are more likely to affect the decision.

iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and iPhone 12 families

The iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14 families are also listed by Apple as IP68 with a maximum depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes.

This includes:

• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max

These models can still have strong water-resistance ratings on paper, but age is a factor. A used iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 may have several years of wear, drops, heat exposure, pocket dust, repairs, or battery swelling history.

When buying or selling a used iPhone, the original IP rating is useful, but the current condition of the device is more important.

iPhone 11, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max

The iPhone 11, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max are IP68, but Apple lists them at a lower depth than newer iPhones:

• iPhone 11: up to 2 metres for 30 minutes
• iPhone XS: up to 2 metres for 30 minutes
• iPhone XS Max: up to 2 metres for 30 minutes

The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max are a step above that:

• iPhone 11 Pro: up to 4 metres for 30 minutes
• iPhone 11 Pro Max: up to 4 metres for 30 minutes

This is a useful detail if you are comparing older used iPhones. The iPhone 11 Pro models have a stronger listed water-resistance test limit than the regular iPhone 11.

iPhone XR, X, 8, 7, and SE models

Apple lists these models as IP67 with a maximum depth of 1 metre for up to 30 minutes:

• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• iPhone XR
• iPhone X
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus

These models can handle more accidental exposure than older unrated iPhones, but they should be treated carefully around water. Many of them are older devices now, and their seals may not be as effective as when they were new.

What the ratings do not cover

IP ratings can be easy to misunderstand. Apple's iPhone water-resistance ratings do not mean the phone is safe in every wet situation.

Avoid exposing an iPhone to:

• salt water
• chlorinated pool water
• soap
• shampoo
• conditioner
• lotion
• sunscreen
• perfume
• detergent
• high-pressure water
• steam
• saunas
• hot tubs
• intentional underwater use

Apple specifically warns against swimming or bathing with iPhone, exposing it to pressurized water or high-velocity water, using it in a sauna or steam room, intentionally submerging it, or exposing it to soaps, detergents, acids, acidic foods, lotions, perfumes, solvents, oils, and similar liquids.

Fresh water in a lab is different from real-world water exposure.

Why water resistance gets weaker over time

An iPhone's water resistance depends on seals, adhesives, gaskets, ports, buttons, speaker openings, and the physical condition of the device.

Resistance can decrease because of:

• normal wear
• drops
• cracked glass
• bent frames
• screen repairs
• battery replacements
• heat
• dust and debris
• worn port openings
• repeated exposure to water

This is why a used iPhone with a strong original IP rating can still have water damage risk. The rating describes how that model was tested when new, not a guarantee for every used phone years later.

Is liquid damage covered by warranty?

Apple says liquid damage is not covered under warranty, although consumer law rights may still apply depending on location.

This means water resistance should be treated as protection against accidents, not permission to use the phone in water.

If an iPhone has liquid damage, Apple or a repair provider may find corrosion or liquid contact indicator changes inside the device. That can affect repair options and trade-in value.

What to do if your iPhone gets wet

If your iPhone gets wet:

1. Remove it from the liquid.
2. Turn it off if it is acting strangely.
3. Unplug all cables.
4. Remove the case.
5. Wipe the outside with a soft, lint-free cloth.
6. Let the phone dry with the charging port facing down.
7. Wait before charging.

Do not use a hair dryer, compressed air, rice, heat source, or cotton swab inside the charging port.

Apple says not to charge a wet iPhone. If you see a liquid-detection alert, let the phone and cable dry before trying again.

Can water resistance affect resale value?

The original IP rating can help buyers compare models, but resale value depends more on current condition.

A phone may lose value if it has:

• visible corrosion
• liquid contact warnings
• camera fogging
• speaker distortion
• Face ID issues after water exposure
• charging problems
• screen lifting
• a history of liquid damage

When selling an iPhone, describe the condition honestly. If the phone was dropped in water and later developed issues, that can affect its value even if the model originally had an IP68 rating.

Quick answer

Recent iPhones are water-resistant, not waterproof. iPhone 12 through iPhone 17 models listed by Apple are generally IP68 up to 6 metres for 30 minutes. iPhone 11 Pro models are IP68 up to 4 metres. iPhone 11, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max are IP68 up to 2 metres. iPhone 7, 8, X, XR, and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) are IP67 up to 1 metre.

These ratings are based on controlled lab testing. Water resistance can decrease over time, and liquid damage is not covered under Apple's standard warranty.

Sources:

• Apple Support: About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone 7 and later
• Apple iPhone 17 technical specifications
• Apple iPhone Air technical specifications
• Apple iPhone 17 Pro technical specifications
• Apple iPhone model comparison