You naturally prefer to keep your iPhone close to you at all times, but can you also do that when you take a refreshing dip or go for a swim?
Swimming with your iPhone
Now that temperatures are rising again, the question arises whether you can take your iPhone into the water with you. iPhones are waterproof to a greater or lesser extent, but it is not advisable to just jump into the water with your iPhone. If you have a recent iPhone, then you still have a good chance of it ending well. But even then there are limitations that you have to take into account. Apple strongly advises against swimming with your iPhone and we completely agree.
Apple also doesn’t talk about waterproof, but about water resistant. It makes sense that Apple advises against swimming with your iPhone. The extent to which an iPhone is water-resistant is indicated by a certification. The highest possible certification is IP69, but no iPhone has yet received this certification.
IP Certifications and their meanings
Recent iPhones have the IP68 certification, which means that these models are water resistant to a depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. Older models are only certified to 4 meters, or even only to 2 meters, for up to 30 minutes. Even though you shouldn’t take your iPhone swimming, the chances of your iPhone surviving a submersion also depend on these certifications. For the sake of completeness, here is an overview:
- iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12 (all models):
- IP68 (up to 6 meters deep, maximum 30 minutes).
- iPhone 11 Pro (Max):
- IP68 (up to 4 meters deep, maximum 30 minutes).
- iPhone 11, iPhone XS (Max)
- IP68 (up to 2 meters deep, maximum 30 minutes).
- iPhone SE (2nd gen.), iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone 8 (Plus), iPhone 7 (Plus)
- IP67 (up to 1 meter deep, maximum 30 minutes).
iPhones that are even older do not have certification. They have never been tested for water resistance according to current guidelines. So you should definitely not go swimming with an older iPhone!
Swimming is not a good idea
Although it should be possible according to the certifications, it is still not a good idea to go swimming with your iPhone. It is a nice idea that there is probably not much wrong if you do fall into the pool with your iPhone. But we still advise against extensive swimming with your iPhone.
By the way: even though Apple advertises the water resistance of its iPhones, water damage is never repaired for free. Not under warranty, not with Apple Care+, just never. That is also something to always keep an eye on, if you do decide to take your iPhone into the water.
If you still want to go into the water with your iPhone, take a look at accessories that you can use for this. Think of waterproof covers and cases, or a waterproof sports armband. Also read the article These are the best accessories to make your iPhone really waterproof.
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