Is the iPhone 11 Really Waterproof?

Everyone has been there. A phone dropped in the toilet, a glass of water spilled on the table where your phone sits, or getting pushed into a pool with your phone in your pocket. Okay, that last one may not have happened to everyone, but each of these situations means your phone was probably ruined. Well, no more. The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max are all water resistant 🏄🏼‍♂️, so it can withstand your life a little better. 

According to the Apple website, the iPhone 11 series is “rated IP68 for water resistance up to 2 metres for up to 30 minutes (the Pro and Pro Max up to 4 metres for 30 minutes), and is protected against accidental spills from common liquids such as coffee and soda.” This is great news for those of us who are a little bit clumsy and prone to dropping things. 

There’s something important to remember here, though. Water-resistant is not really the same thing as waterPROOF. Waterproof implies that something cannot and will not be ruined or destroyed by water. A rubber duck? Waterproof. A pool noodle? Waterproof. Your iPhone 11? Not quite waterproof. Water resistance means that in the situations laid out in Apple’s specs (being submerged up to 2 metres for up to 30 minutes), your phone won’t experience permanent damage. Keep in mind though that if you have a cracked screen and your phone gets wet, there’s no guarantee it won’t be damaged.

While Apple gives limited guidelines as to the water resistance of the iPhone 11 series, CNET conducted an experiment that showed the phones may be able to withstand a little more than what Apple says. They brought the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro as deep as 39 feet without major issue. That being said, your Apple warranty doesn’t cover liquid damage, so maybe not an experiment you want to conduct on your own. 

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So what does this water resistance really mean? Well, like the company says, your phone is protected against spills from coffee, soda, and water. It also means if you’re somehow caught in the rain your phone won’t act up. Here are some things you’ll want to avoid according to Apple 🍏:

• Swimming or bathing with your iPhone
• Exposing your iPhone to pressurized water or high velocity water, such as when showering, water skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, jet skiing, and so on
• Using your iPhone in a sauna or steam room
• Intentionally submerging your iPhone in water
• Operating your iPhone outside the suggested temperature ranges or in extremely humid conditions
• Dropping your iPhone or subjecting it to other impacts
• Disassembling your iPhone, including removing screws

They also recommend that you “minimize exposing your iPhone to soap, detergent, acids or acidic foods, and any liquids—for example, perfume, insect repellent, lotions, sunscreen, oil, adhesive remover, hair dye, and solvents.”

In the end, your phone is not waterPROOF, but rather water resistant. As time goes on, and regular wear and tear takes over, it may not be able to withstand water the same way it did when you first got it. If you really need your phone to be waterproof, it’s probably best to invest in a case that can help.