How do I know if my iPhone has water damage?

To check whether your iPhone has water damage, look for both built-in liquid indicators and signs of malfunction.

1. Check the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI)

Many iPhones have a small liquid indicator that changes color when it contacts water or other liquids.

• Location: The exact location varies by model. On many iPhones, it’s inside or near the SIM card tray area. Some newer models or regional variants may not have a SIM tray, so the indicator location can differ.
• How to check: Remove the SIM tray, if your model has one, and shine a flashlight into the slot.
• What the colors mean:
  • White or silver: No liquid exposure detected at that indicator.
  • Red or pink: The indicator has been triggered by liquid exposure.

2. Look for condensation or fogging

If you see fog, droplets, or condensation behind the camera lenses or display glass, that can be a sign that liquid got inside.

3. Watch for iPhone warnings when charging

If moisture is detected in the charging connector, iPhone may show a warning such as “Liquid Detected in USB-C Connector” or “Liquid Detected in Lightning Connector,” depending on the model, and pause charging until the connector dries.

4. Check for hardware symptoms after exposure

Common signs of water damage include:

• display glitches, dark spots, lines, or touch problems
• muffled speakers, crackling audio, or headset/earpiece detection issues
• charging problems, overheating, repeated restarts, or the phone not turning on

Important caveat

A triggered LCI strongly suggests liquid exposure, but a normal-looking LCI does not guarantee the phone is undamaged. Water can sometimes enter other parts of the phone without triggering the indicator, so if you suspect liquid damage, it’s best to back up your data and have the device inspected.