Are iPhones resistant to sea water?

The iPhone is not waterproof and is not recommended for taking photos underwater. About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone 7 and later - Apple Support As noted in the link I provided, it says not to intentionally submerge your iPhone in water. Sea water is especially problematic.

With salty water there’s also a corrosion component, not just a water resistance, I didn’t see anything saying it’s resistant to salty water corrosion, it’s barely resistant to a splash in fresh water. So I wouldn’t use my iPhone in the sea water, but it’s your call

About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone 7 and later - Apple Support

ManPerson1 wrote:

I have an iPhone 12 Pro max

General info:

Water and other liquid damage to iPhone or iPod isn't covered by warranty - Apple Support

About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone 7 and later - Apple Support

Operative word here is “resistant “, not “proof”.

Per Apple:

Or have at. Do what you want with your iPhone 12. It’s your iPhone 12, after all. Take it swimming. Let us know if it still works. Don’t expect anybody to repair it, should it fail immediately, or should it fail later due to corrosion. Do expect to need to replace it though, so have current backups before the planned dunking, and budget for the replacement iPhone.

ManPerson1 wrote:

What about silica dioxide packets from beef jerky

Silica gel doesn’t alter an iPhone with salt and other mineral deposits within, including the carcasses of aquatic critters.

You do get a mostly-dry iPhone filled with a water-absorbing, corrosive, and conductive materials, though.

Best to avoid dunking any device you can’t afford to replace. And if you can afford to replace it, well, have at.

I used my iphone 13 many times in shallow fresh water for underwater photography. In sea water been down to 3 m without problems. Rinsed the charge port with fresh water afterward and let it dry 6-8 h before charging ( otherwise give liquid detected charge error) BUT its an expensive item to take chances with. Salt water conducts electricity so there woukd be a low level short circuit between charging contact. Cannot be a good thing. Good quality cheapish cameras available for underwater- rather buy one that risk iphone

Don't do it. The phone is not waterproof. Any water damage will not be covered by the warranty.

Besides, IP68 rating, they are water resistant in fresh water to a maximum depth of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes. Apple is extending it to 6m, but the conditions don’t change

Hello~ As a scuba diver myself I would not use an iPhone underwater. Purchase a camera made for that specific purpose. Housings may or may not work plus you will need additional lighting to get any type of quality images.

~Katana-San~

Kv1221 wrote:

Well, i have taken my phone many times in pool and other water bodies, not salty though and after getting water out of speakers, it was in new condition, mine was 14 pro. So i wont say it is only for splash or spill. I have take many underwater pictures but not in depth though. Salt water could cause erosion of protective layer.

So, you've been lucky. But, eventually, you won't be. I hope you're putting money aside for a new phone.

Excellent post by Katana

iphone insurance won’t work for water damage. It’s simply not worth risking a £1000 device when you can get a really neat waterproof camera for a few hundred quid that is designed for purpose and is ergonomically designed for the purpose

there are some fairly good housings for cameras that could work

Under controlled testing conditions, it meets that water resistance standard. It is not for operating under water. If you read the entire document that I provided, it indicates all the things you should not do.

Hello again ~ Not to sound rude but only informative… I know all there is to know about this subject as I am a Dive Master with 40 years of experience. One of my rated specialties is underwater photography. I would not under any circumstances use my iPhone in any depth of water. I have underwater cameras from base models to exceptional ones for photography in and around water. Some good cameras are available now at a decent price point to use snorkeling. You do as you would like as you have been well advised here. If you think I am submerging my iPhone to test this for you…that’s a big “No”Take care.

~Katana-San~

No iPhones are not resistant to sea water

Hello~ It is not for going swimming with period. Please don’t come on this site and contradict Apple’s statements. Would you like to provide everyone who follows your lead with a new iPhone? I think not. What you are saying is nonsense…utter nonsense.

~Katana-San~

This is completely ridiculous. The features are meant to protect your phone during accidents. You should never purposely put your phone in water or purposely damage it. And doing this several times can cause the protection to wear away and not work as well. If you don’t absolutely need to do it, just don’t. Get a waterproof camera.