Is the iPhone 11 water resistant? IP68 rating and water damage explained

The iPhone 11 is water resistant, not waterproof: Apple rates it IP68 under IEC standard 60529 for a maximum depth of 2 meters for up to 30 minutes.

This guide explains what that rating covers, why resistance fades over time, how the iPhone 11 compares with later models, and what to do if your phone gets wet.

Is iPhone 11 waterproof or water resistant?

Apple calls the iPhone 11 splash, water, and dust resistant, and it never calls any iPhone waterproof.

1. Treat the IP68 rating as protection against accidents, such as a spill, rain or a brief drop into a sink.
2. Keep the phone out of pools, baths and the shower, because Apple lists these as exposures to avoid.
3. Wipe the phone with a soft, lint-free cloth straight away if it does get wet.
4. Wait until it is completely dry before charging it with a cable.

iPhone 11 waterproof rating: what IP68 means

Part of the rating	What it means for the iPhone 11
IP68	Dust tight and protected against immersion in water under test conditions
2 meters, up to 30 minutes	The maximum depth and time Apple tested in the lab
IEC standard 60529	The international test standard behind the rating
Controlled laboratory conditions	Still, fresh water in a lab, not pressure, heat or chemicals
Not permanent	Resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear

Is the iPhone 11 waterproof rating reliable?

The rating is reliable for a new phone in the lab conditions Apple describes, but it is not a promise for an older phone in real water.

Seals age, drops and impacts can weaken them, and opening the phone or removing screws breaks them.

Use the IP68 rating as a safety margin for accidents, never as permission to take an iPhone 11 swimming. Apple states that liquid damage is not covered under warranty, although you might have rights under consumer law.

What iPhone is water resistant? Ratings by model

Every iPhone from the iPhone 7 onward has a water resistance rating, but the tested depth differs by model.

Models	Rating	Maximum tested depth
iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 families, iPhone Air	IP68	6 meters up to 30 minutes
iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max	IP68	4 meters up to 30 minutes
iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max	IP68	2 meters up to 30 minutes
iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation), XR, X, 8, 8 Plus, 7, 7 Plus	IP67	1 meter up to 30 minutes

So the answer to how water resistant the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 or iPhone 16 is: all three are rated IP68 to 6 meters, three times the iPhone 11's tested depth.

Activities to avoid with an iPhone 11 in water

Avoid	Why
Swimming or bathing with the phone	Apple lists it as a cause of liquid damage
Showering, surfing, water skiing or jet skiing	Pressurized or high-velocity water is outside the test
Saunas and steam rooms	Heat and humidity are outside the suggested ranges
Intentionally submerging the phone	The rating covers accidents, not deliberate use
Drops and impacts	Physical damage can weaken the seals
Removing screws or disassembling it	Opening the phone breaks the seals

Clean the phone promptly after contact with soap, sunscreen, perfume, lotion, oil, solvents or acidic foods, since Apple lists these as substances to wipe off.

What to do if your iPhone 11 gets wet

1. Unplug every cable and accessory.
2. Wipe the phone with a soft, lint-free cloth, such as a lens cloth.
3. Tap it gently against your hand with the Lightning connector facing down to remove excess liquid.
4. Leave it in a dry area with some airflow; a fan blowing cool air into the Lightning connector can help.
5. Keep the SIM tray closed until the phone is dry.
6. Wait at least 5 hours before charging with a Lightning cable or connecting an accessory.

Never dry the phone with an external heat source, and never push a cotton swab or paper towel into the Lightning connector. For wireless charging, wipe the phone dry before placing it on the charging mat.

Check your iPhone 11 is dry before charging

1. Place the phone speaker side down on a lint-free cloth and check whether water drips out.
2. Play a sound and confirm the speaker no longer sounds muffled.
3. Connect the Lightning cable and confirm no liquid-detection alert appears.

The iPhone 11 can warn you about liquid in the Lightning connector when you connect a cable or accessory. If the phone still refuses power after drying, work through the fixes for an iPhone that is not charging.

iPhone 11 water damage symptoms and fixes

Speaker or microphone sounds muffled after getting wet

Water is sitting in the speaker or microphone openings.

1. Place the phone speaker side down on a lint-free cloth.
2. Let the water drip out and evaporate in a dry area with airflow.
3. Test the audio again once the phone is fully dry.

Liquid-detection alert when you plug in a cable

Liquid is still in the Lightning connector.

1. Unplug the cable immediately.
2. Tap the phone with the connector facing down and leave it to dry.
3. Wait at least 5 hours before connecting the cable again.

Phone still misbehaves after it has fully dried

Liquid may have reached internal parts, which the warranty does not cover.

1. Back up the phone while it still works.
2. Contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for a repair assessment.

iPhone 11 water resistance FAQ

Is iPhone 11 waterproof or resistant?

The iPhone 11 is water resistant, not waterproof. Apple rates it IP68 under IEC standard 60529, tested to a maximum depth of 2 meters for up to 30 minutes in controlled laboratory conditions.

Is my iPhone water resistant?

Every iPhone from the iPhone 7 onward is splash, water and dust resistant. Older models such as the iPhone 7 and 8 are rated IP67 to 1 meter, while the iPhone 12 and later are rated IP68 to 6 meters.

Is the iPhone 11 waterproof rating reliable?

It is reliable for a new phone under the lab conditions Apple tested. Resistance is not permanent and can decrease with normal wear, drops or repairs, so treat it as protection against accidents only.

How water resistant is iPhone 13?

The iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are rated IP68 under IEC standard 60529, tested to a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes.

How water resistant is iPhone 16?

Every iPhone 16 model, including the iPhone 16e, is rated IP68 to a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. Like other iPhones, it is resistant to accidental spills of common liquids, not waterproof.

Are iPhone 12 water resistant?

Yes. The iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max are rated IP68 to a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes, three times the depth Apple tested for the iPhone 11.

Are iPhones waterproof or water resistant?

iPhones are water resistant. Apple tests them under IEC standard 60529 in a lab, warns that resistance decreases with wear, and does not cover liquid damage under warranty.

Does the warranty cover iPhone 11 water damage?

No. Apple states that liquid damage is not covered under warranty, although you might have rights under consumer law in your country.