Is the iPhone 14 Waterproof?

Wouldn't it be great if all technology were waterproof? There would be no water damage and endless underwater photography opportunities. Unfortunately, technology hasn't reached that point yet for iPhones. 

While the iPhone 14 does have water-resistant capabilities, it's not wholly waterproof. Understanding this difference is essential so you can keep your device as safe as possible.

Is It Safe to Drop an iPhone 14 in Water?

Nobody wants to see their iPhone 14 water-damaged from a drop in the ocean, pool, or (unfortunately sometimes) toilet, so what happens if the worst occurs? While the excellent IP68 rating means that your iPhone 14 should come away from the experience relatively unharmed, it’s not “safe” to try your luck. In other words, while the iPhone 14 is built to withstand some submersion, this depends on the depth of the water and the duration. 

Additionally, just because the iPhone 14 might come away from an accidental drop unscathed, it doesn’t mean you should try to use your iPhone 14 underwater. After all, the iPhone 14 is water-resistant and not waterproof, and this difference between the two is crucial. 

iPhone 14 IP68 Rating Explained

An IP rating tells you how dust-resistant and water-resistant your device is: the first number, in this case ‘6’, signifies the dust resistance, whereas the second number, in this instance ‘8’, demonstrates how water-resistant the iPhone 14 is. But what does it all mean in practical terms?

The ‘6’ illustrates that the iPhone 14 can prevent dust entry for approximately 2-8 hours, depending on the conditions, protecting your iPhone against unwanted debris. Meanwhile, the ‘8’ demonstrates that the device can be submerged up to 1.5 meters for approximately 30 minutes without water damage. 

However, as with all statistics, it’s vital to remember that this IP rating comes from new devices that haven’t suffered general wear and tear. Likewise, the IP rating comes from scientific testing, so the conditions that warrant the IP rating may not be the same as your accidental drop in water. 

This all means that while the IP68 rating is excellent and offers additional protection, it’s not guaranteed that your device will never undergo water damage. 

What’s the Difference Between Water-Resistant and Waterproof?

Water resistance is your device’s (or any object’s) ability to prevent water entry. However, if something is waterproof, it is impervious to water, i.e., water cannot cross the material’s boundary. 

It’s a common misconception that devices like iPhones are waterproof. Instead, it’s vital that you remember they are water-resistant; they now have added protection against water damage, but they aren’t waterproof. 

What to Do if You Drop Your iPhone 14 in Water

1. Turn your phone off

Ensure you turn your phone off when you’ve retrieved it from the water. Don’t try to charge it, plug the device into anything, or use it, as this could cause significant internal damage.

2. Remove the case

The next step is to remove the case. Water might be trapped under the case that you need to remove. Additionally, it will be harder to air dry quickly if the case is still on. Set the case aside, and after seeing to your device, you can wipe the case down with a towel and leave it to air dry to avoid any damage to the case (depending on what material it is). 

3. Remove the SIM

Not everyone uses a physical SIM card now that e-SIMs are available, but if you do have one, you need to remove it as quickly as possible. If water has entered the SIM card port, it could cause damage if left too long. 

4. Dry with a towel

Once you’ve turned it off and removed the case and SIM card, use a towel to remove as much water as possible. It’s best to use a microfiber towel to avoid fibers entering the phone, but drying the device quickly is more important. 

5. Air dry (not with rice)

While it’s a common misconception that a wet phone needs rice to dry, many people still think this is the best step. However, Apple advises against it; it’s better to let the phone air dry safely, preferably with a fan to help the drying process. While rice can enter the phone ports and cause problems, silica gel is an alternative that can help dry the phone out through adsorption. 

6. Turn back on

After 24-48 hours, you can turn your device on again and assess if it works correctly. Hopefully, if it wasn’t submerged more than 1.5 meters for more than 30 minutes, your iPhone would come away from the accidental drop and still work as before. 

But this is phone-dependent; factors such as whether it’s second-hand, its general wear and tear, or if it was dropped in a liquid other than water will all have an effect. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iPhone 14 Truly Waterproof?

While the iPhone 14 is water-resistant, meaning it has some protection against water infiltration, it isn’t wholly waterproof as it isn’t impervious to water. This means that accidental drops in water should leave your device unscathed, but it’s best to keep your device away from water hazards.

Can You Take Underwater Photos With an iPhone 14?

While it might be possible to take underwater photos due to the iPhone 14's water-resistant nature, it’s not actively encouraged. This is because the iPhone 14 isn’t waterproof and could suffer considerable damage depending on the time spent in the water, depth, and the device’s condition.

Final Thoughts

While the iPhone 14 devices' IP68 rating proves that they are highly water resistant, protecting your phone against every possible circumstance, including general bumps, scratches, and drops, is crucial. 

So why not discover Casely’s wide range of chic and protective iPhone 14 cases today to keep your device alive as long as possible?