How To Tell If An Iphone 7 Has Water Damage

You can tell if your iPhone has water damage by removing the SIM tray and looking for a red color inside the SIM card slot.
If it's red, that means the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) has been activated and there is water damage. It should appear white or silver if there is no damage.
Apple's iPhone warranty does not cover water damage — and even though newer models have increased water resistance, continued exposure to water can still damage your device over time.
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With its brand new iPhone 11 Pro, Apple has increased water resistance from previous models.

An iPhone 11 Pro is now supposedly resistant in up to four meters of water for 30 minutes, compared to two meters for 30 minutes with an iPhone XS. But that doesn't mean you should go around submerging your iPhone in every liquid you find.

Just because your iPhone might be water resistant under certain conditions doesn't mean it won't affect your device — continued exposure to water can still lead to damage over time, and other liquids like coffee or soda can also damage your phone.

And if your iPhone does experience water damage, you're going to be left holding the bag. Apple's warranty does not cover water damage, so that one little drop that manages to find its way in may lead to hundreds of dollars less in your bank account.

If you think it's already too late and your phone has been damaged by water, here's how to check.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 Pro (From $999.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone Xs (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

How to tell if your iPhone has water damage

1. Remove your iPhone case and locate the SIM card tray, which will be on the right side of the phone, an inch or so below the side button.

The SIM tray has a small hole and is located under the side button.

2. Using a SIM tray removal tool or a straightened paper clip, press into the small hole at the bottom of the SIM tray and gently remove the tray.

Insert the paper clip into the small hole.

3. Shine a light into the empty SIM slot and look for a red color (you may need a magnifying glass).

If you see red … that's bad. That means the phone's Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) has been activated and that water or another liquid (looking at you, coffee) did get into the phone, likely damaging it. Otherwise, you should see white or silver, and your phone is likely not damaged.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

How to tell if your iPhone is waterproof or water-resistant, and to what extent
'Is my iPhone under warranty?': How to check if your iPhone is still eligible for Apple's warranty status
7 ways to fix your iPhone when it has no service
How to manually update the carrier settings on your iPhone to improve its performance and cellular connection

Steven John

Freelance Writer

Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com.