How Much to Fix Water Damage on iPhone?

You finally got some time off work, and it looks like it’ll be lovely throughout the day. So, you decide to hit town and stroll around the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.

As you walk outside, though, the sky quickly turns from blue to gray, and you find yourself caught in the rain. In your hurry to find shelter, you drop your precious iPhone in a puddle. You pick it up, only to drop it again.

At this point, the only thing likely running through your mind is how to know if your phone has water damage.

Before you panic, switch your phone off. The sooner you do, the more likely you can prevent further problems.

Then, check out the rest of this guide to help you determine if your phone has sustained water damage. It also gives insights on how much its repair can cost, so read on. 

How to Know if Your Phone Has Water Damage

The easiest way to tell if you have a water-damaged iPhone is to check its Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI). All models, from the first to the latest generation, have this built-in. You should see it from the outside without opening your entire phone. 

What the LCI Is

The LCI is a technology that shows if a device has come into contact with water or water-containing fluid. Its standard color is white or silver, which signifies it hasn’t had water exposure. It turns red if it does. 

How to Find and Check the LCI

If you have an iPhone 5 or later, you should find the LCI within the SIM card slot. On older models, it’s in the headphone jack and charging port. As for the original iPhone (first-generation), its indicator is in the headphone jack.

If you need to access the SIM card slot, ensure your phone is completely dry from the outside first. Then, grab your SIM eject tool (the small metal pin that came with your unlocked phone when you bought it) or a paper clip. Stick this in the tiny hole of the SIM tray and gently push it until the tray pops out.

Check your SIM card and tray to see if there’s any sign of moisture. Hopefully, there’s none, but if there is, use a microfiber towel or a lint-free cloth to dry it.

Next, hold your phone face down and shine a flashlight into the SIM card slot. You should see if the LCI is still white or silver or has gone red. 

Other Symptoms of iPhone Water Damage

It’s vital to note that the LCI can malfunction, making it seem like your iPhone has (or has no) water damage. As such, you should check if your device exhibits the other water damage symptoms below.

Before you do, though, thoroughly wipe dry your phone’s exterior and, if you can wait, let it air dry for at least 48 hours.

If you can’t afford to wait, then it may be best just to bring it to a reputable iPhone repair specialist. Expert technicians can often fix water-damaged phones in an hour or less. 

Blurry Camera

Whether you find a red or a white/silver LCI, you should still check your iPhone camera. In many cases, a blurry camera indicates your phone has water damage. Note, though, that this is also one of the most common iPhone problems that could happen after a bad drop. 

Slow and Buggy Performance

Does your iPhone screen take forever to respond to taps and touches? Maybe some areas of the screen don’t even react. Perhaps your apps keep lagging, or your phone gets noticeably warm.

Those are all signs that water may have infiltrated your device.

However, those symptoms can also arise from a potential malware infection. Contrary to popular belief, iPhones can get viruses and other malicious software. 

The Cost of Fixing a Water-Damaged iPhone

Repairing a water-damaged iPhone may cost anywhere from $50 to $699. This depends on whether you have AppleCare+, who fixes your phone, and its model. Likewise, the extent of the damage influences the cost. 

AppleCare+

The Apple One-Year Limited Warranty and AppleCare Protection Plan don’t cover water damage. So, even if your iPhone still has either, you may have to pay hundreds to get your water-damaged phone fixed.

If you have AppleCare+, though, you may only have to pay $99 plus taxes to get your phone fixed. It covers accidental damage from handling (ADH) for two incidents. ADH includes damage due to liquid contact and breakage from drops. 

Who Repairs Your Phone

If you don’t have AppleCare+, you can still have Apple fix your water-damaged phone. However, the cheapest, according to their website, is $269 for an iPhone SE and a whopping $699 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

If you take your phone to a trustworthy third-party repair center, they will charge you much less. This price difference has more to do with Apple’s “premium” label, not quality. Just make sure you choose a store known for its high-quality parts and services.

The Model of Your iPhone

It typically costs more to repair water damage on newer iPhone models. This is due to them featuring more sensitive components that water can destroy. So, expect a water-damaged iPhone 15 to cost many times more to fix than, say, an iPhone 6. 

The Extent of the Damage

Suppose your phone’s camera, battery, and screen all sustained water damage. In this case, you may have to pay a pro several hundred dollars to fix them.

In contrast, if the damage only affects your charging port, you may only have to pay $50 to $100.

Save Your Water-Damaged Phone

You should learn how to know if your phone has water damage as soon as you drop it in a puddle or spill liquids on it. The sooner you do, the sooner you can address the issue and potentially save your device.

If you’re in Virginia Beach, Richmond, or nearby areas, our technicians at Fruit Fixed can help. We provide high-quality repair services for Apple products and other brands.

Have a look at our iPhone service page now to get a repair cost estimate. Then, feel free to ring us up if you have other questions!