Everything you need to know
Thinking about buying an iPhone 8? Did you recently drop your iPhone 8 ? In either of those cases, you may be wondering: is the iPhone 8 waterproof? ²
This article will quickly and clearly cover everything you need to know about the waterproof rating of the iPhone 8.
Is the iPhone 8 waterproof ?
First, let’s clarify the difference between the terms waterproof and water resistant. (For context as you read these definitions, the iPhone 8 is water resistant, not waterproof).
“Waterproof” means that a device is 100% sealed so that no liquid can enter inside. Therefore, waterproof products can withstand immersion in water for an indefinite period of time without liquid leaking into them.
On the other hand, “water resistant” means that a device is protected from water under certain conditions. Water resistance is typically associated with a water pressure depth and a duration of exposure time.
For example, in our article focused on determining whether the iPhone X is water resistant, we found that Apple observed water resistance for this model to a depth of 1 meter (3 feet) for half an hour.
So how long is the iPhone 8 water resistant? Or, more accurately, what are the limitations of the iPhone 8’s resistance to liquid damage.
The answer to that question lies in the IP rating of the iPhone 8.
IPhone 8: IP rating of IP67
A device’s IP rating stands for “International Protection” or “Ingress Protection,” depending on who you ask. The IP code is a standardized measure of a product’s water resistance.
The iPhone 8 has an IP rating of IP67. This IP code has two numbers. The first number (6 in this case) ranges from 0 to 6 and speaks to a product’s protection against dust and other solid particles. As such, the iPhone 8 has a perfect seal against solid particles.
The second number of the IP code (7 in this case) refers to water resistance. This number can range from 0 to 9. Given this rating, the iPhone 8 is not waterproof, technically speaking.
The iPhone 8’s waterproof rating of 7 out of 9 means that it can resist water damage below 1 meter (3 feet) of fresh water for up to 30 minutes.
Does Apple’s warranty cover water damage?
Unfortunately, no, it doesn’t.
Despite Apple marketing the waterproof nature of the iPhone 8, the company’s warranty does not cover liquid damage. Apple’s warranty documentation explicitly states as much.
Furthermore, Apple specifically discourages your iPhone 8 from coming into contact with water. Therefore, if your iPhone 8 has water damage, unfortunately Apple will not repair or replace it without charging you the out-of-warranty replacement cost.
In fact, every iPhone 8 even comes with an internal Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) that activates upon contact with liquid. Here’s a diagram of the LCI location on an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus. If the LCI has been activated as in the image below, it is unlikely that Apple will honor the phone’s warranty.
What to do if your device gets wet
If your iPhone 8 comes in contact with water, don’t worry, you’re probably fine.
Referring back to your phone’s IP rating, it should be able to withstand water damage below 1 meter (3 feet) of fresh water for up to 30 minutes.
That said, Apple warns that the waterproof seal may diminish over time, so you should still take the following precautions:
- If your phone is on, turn it off. If it turns itself off, leave it off!
- Wipe off the water with a cloth as soon as possible.
- Shake excess water off the device by gently touching it against your hand, with the charging port facing down.
- Place your iPhone 8 in a dry place (may we suggest the familiar rice bowl?) And make sure not to charge the device while it’s drying. You can speed up this process by pointing a cool air fan at the device, ideally directly at the charging port.
If in doubt, take the phone to the Apple Store or a certified technician for inspection.
Is the iPhone 8 waterproof with a cracked screen?
An example of a situation where the above guidelines may not apply is if your iPhone 8 has a cracked screen. Apple mentions in its literature that the water resistance of each device is temporary in nature and that wear and tear can lower the waterproof rating.
Therefore, if your iPhone 8 has a cracked screen, it is less likely to be protected against water damage. Any cracks can compromise the integrity of your iPhone 8’s water seal.
Therefore, if the exterior condition of your iPhone 8 is materially worse than when you purchased it, you are at greater risk of water damage.
Is the iPhone 8 resistant to liquids other than water?
For the purposes of this article, we assume that your iPhone was dropped in water, not any other liquid, such as coffee or juice.
This is an important distinction because the IP rating provided by Apple technically only applies to fresh water. The smartphone manufacturer determined the waterproof rating of the iPhone 8 in controlled laboratory conditions with fresh water.
However, if you splash a liquid other than water on your iPhone 8, you’re generally still okay. Assuming it was just a quick touch, if you wiped the liquid off quickly and/or rinsed it off with some water and then let the phone dry, your iPhone 8 should not be affected.
If your device was submerged in a liquid other than water for a period of time (as opposed to a small splash), your iPhone 8 may have suffered liquid damage. But it depends on the unique nature of the incident. If you are unsure, consider visiting a local repair shop or Apple store to get an idea of the damage before turning it on.
How to minimize the risks of water damage ?
Based on the above information, we definitely do not recommend taking your iPhone 8 into the shower. More specifically, the best way to avoid liquid damage to your iPhone 8 is to avoid contact with water altogether.
But if you want to take extra precautions and minimize the risk of water damage, you should consider purchasing a waterproof case for your iPhone 8. These cases give you an additional notch on the IP humidity scale, bringing the device’s waterproof rating from IP67 to IP68.
This upgrade in IP rating essentially gives your iPhone 8 the leeway to be submerged in an additional 0.5 meters of water depth for the same period of time (30 minutes).
Waterproof cases for the iPhone 8.
These cases should technically be referred to as “waterproof cases”. Their moisture rating should be the maximum grade of 9 out of 9 to be truly waterproof.
In any case, here are some waterproof cases for iPhone 8 that you can buy in our store.
