The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models are "splash-, water-, and dust-resistant." To quantify the level of resistance, Apple relies on the [Ingress Protection IP) ratings], where the iPhone 16 models pass for being IP68 water and dust resistance. Here’s what that means.
Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), IP ratings are a universal system that tests and classifies the degree of protection an electronic device’s enclosure provides against the damage caused by foreign particles. These could be dirt, dust, or water.
An IP rating consists of two numbers. While the first number signifies the level of protection against minute particles (between one and six), the second number suggests how well the enclosure can withstand damage due to the ingress of water (ranging between one and eight).
The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max are all rated IP68. While the first number represents the highest level of protection against dust particles, indicating that the device is dust-tight, the second number suggests it can also withstand submersion in over 6m of water (for 30 minutes).
In other words, if you drop your iPhone 16 in the shower or the bathtub, it’s probably going to be fine. It’s worth noting that this refers only to freshwater. Saltwater is much more corrosive and can cause damage to the metal sections of your phone even after limited exposure.
iPhone 16 got wet? Turn It Off
If your iPhone 16 gets wet, take out of the water as soon as possible and shut it down. This is because water may damage your iPhone because it conducts electricity.
Drying your device out thoroughly before turning it back on will give it the best chance of survival. If water is stuck in the USB-C port, consider tapping the phone against your palm. You should wait around 48 hours before powering it up and leaving it in a warm, dry place for the moisture to evaporate.
Dry Off and Don’t Panic
The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models can withstand a splash of water, whether that’s a heavy downpour, a spill at the dinner table, or being dropped in the bath. After turning your device off, dry out your iPhone thoroughly. Use a soft cloth to remove moisture, paying close attention to the charging port where droplets are harder to reach.
You should wait for your iPhone to dry out thoroughly before charging. Your iPhone may give you a warning about moisture being detected in the charging port if you don’t do this, with a recommendation to wait 48 hours before charging again to make sure all moisture has evaporated.
If you’re confident that your iPhone’s water-resistant rating hasn’t been jeopardized you may decide to continue using it as normal during this time. If you’re low on charge, consider charging wirelessly so that the charging port has time to dry out.
Remove Moisture from the Speaker Too
If you’ve decided to use your iPhone as normal, you may notice that the speaker doesn’t work quite as it should. A muffled or crackling tone may sound, which is caused by moisture that has yet to evaporate. You can either wait for this to occur naturally or try using a tone generator app like Sonic to get the water out of the speaker. I used this app on my iPhone 16 Pro after leaving it on the edge of the bath where it was thoroughly soaked.
After you download the app, launch the app and use the “Play” button on the “Water Eject” tab to play a series of tones designed to dislodge water from your iPhone. Use the time presets in the top right corner to choose 15, 30, or 60 seconds. The app will also play a sound in the earpiece speaker near the front camera array, so you might want to repeat this process with the phone face-down too.
If you find that water is still an issue, tap on the “Frequency” tab and cycle through frequencies manually. Hit “Play” to start the sound, then drag your finger up and down on the screen to increase the frequency. You can let this run for as long as you want until you’re happy, or someone starts to complain.
Salt Water is Far Worse Than Fresh Water
Salt water causes corrosion at a much faster rate than fresh water, so it’s important to rinse your iPhone 16 thoroughly if you drop it in the ocean. You should do this as soon as possible since the longer you wait the worse things can get. If you fail to get rid of the salt, corrosion may continue even in the absence of moisture.
Since salt water is so corrosive, the damage may already be done. The gold contacts in the charging port can quickly corrode, which will prevent your iPhone from charging at all using a cable. You’ll want to remove any salt residue using a soft brush and fresh water to give your iPhone the best chance of survival.
This advice goes for sugary and alcoholic drinks too, though they won’t cause corrosion like salt water.
Rice is Useless
Putting your iPhone 16 into rice won’t help to dry it out, and may instead cause grains of rice to become stuck in the charging port. We recommend cooking your rice and eating it instead, perhaps with a nice curry or in a sushi roll depending on the grain.
You’re far better off leaving your iPhone in a dry, warm place with plenty of airflow for around 48 hours to evaporate any remaining moisture. Don’t use a blow dryer, as too much heat could damage the water seal on the iPhone.
Often Near the Water? Get a Waterproof Case
If there’s a good chance your iPhone 16 is going to get wet, consider getting a waterproof pouch. They’re pretty cheap and add another layer of protection against water, plus they float!
iPhones are More Water Resistant Than Ever
The good news is that your iPhone 16 will probably be fine in most The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models are more resistant to water ingress and drops than ever before. With that in mind, AppleCare might be a good idea if you’re especially concerned or have a history of destroying personal electronics.