Water Submersion Indicator - Void Warranty

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Water Submersion Indicator - Void Warranty

I've only had the iPhone 3GS for two months. Since then, I have been using it carefully. Never have I dropped my phone or put it in any location in which liquid was present. I live in sunny California and it has only rained once so far. I kept the phone within my pocket so there isn't any reason why rain could've gotten on it. However, when I took my phone to the Genius Bar at the Apple Store because Home Button is not working smoothly (No problem on device function, though), they told me that my water indicator had gone off.

Do you have similar situation? Why did this happen? I am really careful on using iPhone, but I could not believe in Apple's judgment.

Posted on Nov 1, 2009 10:39 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 1, 2009 10:59 AM in response to xcomme

I dropped my original iPhone in the toilet ... yeah, the toilet 🙂 I've also dropped in lots of times on all kinds of surfaces.

After the toilet incident, it looked dead, but came back to life after plugging it into iTunes and re-initializing it. Kept working for almost a year with pretty much no problems. I took it to the Genius Bar and they noticed the water indicator, but the phone was way out of warranty anyway. BTW, I don't think the water caused the problem I was having that made me bring it in. But they did tell me that the water indicator does void the warranty.

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Answer 2

modular747

Level 6

19,668 points

Nov 1, 2009 11:00 AM in response to xcomme

This topic has been discussed here countless times, in hundreds (thousands maybe) of threads which you can find with a forum search.

A tripped water exposure indicator defines water exposure and voids the warranty, unless you can prove otherwise. The water sensors can be tripped without immersion by condensation, inadvertently splashing/spraying, or exceeding the maximum rated relative humidity (95%).

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Answer 3

Nov 1, 2009 11:21 AM in response to xcomme

Get a flashlight and look for yourself. This shows where they are: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3302

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Answer 4

xcomme Author

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Nov 1, 2009 12:47 PM in response to xcomme

My case is different from the others.

First, I used my iPhone very carefully, and never dropped it to ground or water or anything like that. Second, I live in Sunny California, the humidity is fairly low.

Yes, the indicator on my phone turned pink, but I really opposed to Apple's judgment that my phone has been dropped into water or splashed by any liquid. It did not. I used my iPhone very carefully.

I believe that iPhone is well designed, at the same time, I am shocked why my iPhone's indicator turned pink. It does not make sense.

The humidity in California is like 10-20% all the time in the past few months. But isn't iPhone designed for worldwide distribution in the cities, like in East Coast, Oregon or SE Asia?

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Answer 5

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,395 points

Nov 1, 2009 1:05 PM in response to xcomme

"My case is different from the others.

First, I used my iPhone very carefully, and never dropped it to ground or water or anything like that"

Most everyone says this very same thing.

Sweat, raindrops, steam, etc that gets in the headphone jack can do this as well.

"isn't iPhone designed for worldwide distribution in the cities, like in East Coast, Oregon or SE Asia?"

Yes. I had my iphone in Oregon for a year and the indicator is not tripped, also Louisiana and the Gulf Coast of Florida with no issue.

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Answer 6

xcomme Author

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Nov 1, 2009 1:22 PM in response to xcomme

The humidity is only 10-20% in California, so I do not think this is an issue.

It only rained slightly once in Los Angeles, California in the past 5 months, so his should not be an issue.

My iPhone is working well, except the Home Button mechanical part. I do not think my iPhone functions are affected by any water damage except the indicator got tripped. I think the water indicator is not well designed. It lets Apple getting away with warranty easily.

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Answer 7

modular747

Level 6

19,668 points

Nov 1, 2009 1:27 PM in response to xcomme

Giving you the benefit of doubt that you honestly don't know of any moisture contact, the fact that you're unaware of it hardly rules it out. Sweat, leaving it in a bathroom when showing, blowing debris out of the jack with your mouth, sneezing/coughing near the phone, etc., etc, are all capable of both tripping the sensors and causing internal water damage.

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Answer 8

Ziatron

Level 5

4,193 points

Nov 1, 2009 2:54 PM in response to xcomme

It sounds like your phone has two problems.

1) A defective moisture sensor.

2) Home Button is not working smoothly.

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Answer 9

modular747

Level 6

19,668 points

Nov 1, 2009 3:06 PM in response to Ziatron

Ziatron wrote:
It sounds like your phone has two problems.

Or:

1. Correctly sensed water exposure.

2. Home button not working smoothly due to corrosion from water exposure.

It's much less probable that there are 2 completely independent malfunctions, as you suggest, than 1 event that explains both.

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Answer 10

Nov 1, 2009 4:28 PM in response to xcomme

People tend to be really fast to judge others here -- but the fact of the matter is, that there is no way that the water sensor can be tripped without actual water.

This includes water accidently spashed on if too close to the sink in the kitchen or bathroom; or condensation while in the shower; or any liquids you might use to clean your iPhone (including apple approved "Apple Polish" and the like); or the spray of a Seven-up or softdrink when opened; etc...

It's physically impossible for the sensor to be tripped without something like that...

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Answer 11

xcomme Author

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Nov 1, 2009 8:26 PM in response to xcomme

Read this story. http://iphuckd.blogspot.com/2009/08/does-your-iphone-have-warranty-dont.html?sho wComment=1257109189517#c3955987100486978703

This person has the same situation as mine. I do not think an indicator such close to the edge is not an adequate indicator for interior device damage. The iPhone could be perfectly fine even the indicator got tripped. Mine works perfectly fine electronic wise, except the mechanical home bottom, it is not a smooth push close to left edge.

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Answer 12

deggie

Level 10

167,327 points

Nov 1, 2009 8:54 PM in response to xcomme

Nobody here can do anything for you. Call Apple Customer Service and plead your case to them.

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Answer 13

modular747

Level 6

19,668 points

Nov 1, 2009 9:04 PM in response to xcomme

This link is just another ranting blog with no verified documentation. You have to take the bloggers word for everything he claims happened and was said by Apple support.

Curiously, the link with the "proof" that the water sensors give false positive results was Blackberry forum!!! Even at that, if they are tripped by humidity exceeding 95%, this exceeds the iPhone operating range and does void the warranty regardless of immersion.

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Answer 14

Ziatron

Level 5

4,193 points

Nov 1, 2009 10:12 PM in response to RonAnnArbor

but the fact of the matter is, that there is no way that the water sensor can be tripped without actual water

Including water at the Chinese factory, or any water along the transportation route.

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Answer 15

Nov 1, 2009 10:52 PM in response to xcomme

If the humidity is only 10-20%, and it's above 80°F, then you are sweating a lot. You may not notice this, because at those humidity levels it will be evaporating too fast to generate noticeable wetness or stains on your clothing. However, it will mean that the humidity near your skin, especially in pockets, is above 80%. If that weren't the case you would have died of heat prostration by now. But since Apple chose to use a cheap & easily affected paper indicator there is no way to tell the difference between a toilet and your sweaty chest. After all, they're not in business to replace these things, so enjoy your void.

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