The iPhone is considered water-resistant and meets certain standards that allow Apple to slap an IP68 rating on its phones, the device is not waterproof. Apple does not offer water damage coverage in its warranty, which suggests that the company does not believe its phones can consistently repel water. This is a common practice among phone manufacturers, as none of them cover water damage in the warranty, even if a device has an IP68 or IP67 rating.

Apple says that the iPhone 15 series is water-resistant to 6 meters (nearly 20 feet) for as long as 30 minutes, which is above the IP68 standards. However, it’s important to note that the phone may not survive exposure to water from jet-sprays, and contact with non-fresh water can also be detrimental. In other words, it’s not recommended to take your iPhone diving unless it’s in a case made specifically for that type of activity.

The fact that Apple does not cover water damage in the warranty is a clear indicator that the company does not believe the iPhone can survive every encounter with water. However, a recent patent awarded to Apple titled “Underwater User Interface” suggests that the company may be working on a waterproof version of the iPhone. This patent focuses on adjusting iOS when an iPhone is underwater to make it easier to use, indicating that Apple is exploring both software and hardware solutions for waterproofing.

While it’s unclear when a waterproof iPhone could become a reality, it’s an exciting development that could lead to a significant feature for consumers. The patent was awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and was given U.S. patent number US 11,875,021. We hope that if Apple does release a waterproof iPhone, it will also add water damage coverage to the limited warranty.