Is the iPhone XR Waterproof?

The iPhone XR, released way back in late 2018, is still a popular choice in 2021, owing to the seemingly huge jump it made from the earlier iPhones. It had an upgraded display, was packed to the brim with new features, and was much more durable than its predecessors.

But how waterproof is the iPhone XR?

While no one expects their phone to survive a swim to Atlantis, we have come to expect a certain level of protection against the elements from the latest and most expensive flagship phones in the market. So it’s natural to wonder how waterproof the iPhone XR really is.

What do the Specs Say?

The iPhone XR has a protection rating of IP67. IP stands for Ingress Protection and is the industry standard when it comes to quantifying a phone’s chances when going against dust, sand, and water. A rating of IP67 indicates that the iPhone XR has a rating of ‘6’ (the maximum) against solid objects like dust and sand and ‘7’ against liquids, with 8 being the maximum.

You might have seen the iPhone Xs and Xs Max having an IP68 rating, meaning they have been tested to have the maximum possible protection that phones can have against dust and water. But let’s come back to the iPhone XR.

While it has the maximum rating for protection against solids, its ‘water-resistant’ capabilities are not the best, like those of the iPhone Xs or Xs Max.

How Waterproof is the iPhone XR?

So what does all this translate to? Can you take your phone with you on a swim? Can you dare to shoot a fancy underwater video capturing your watery shenanigans? Sadly, no.

The iPhone XR is what we call a ‘water-resistant’ phone. Its IP67 rating means it can shake off accidental splashes of water and other liquids and perhaps, a fall in the toilet. It can be submerged in water up to 1 meter for a maximum of 30 minutes. But that’s under factory conditions. We would not urge you to go test it on your phone.

But suffice it to say, the IP67 rating simply means your iPhone XR is built to withstand only accidental contact with liquids and is not waterproof by any stretch of the imagination.

What does it Mean For You?

So now that you know that your iPhone XR is not immune to water damage, what can you do about it? Simply put, avoid situations where your phone can potentially be submerged in water or be bombarded with sustained liquid attacks. Just follow some simple tips to minimize chances of bricking your pricey investment:

1. Don’t take your phone in the shower! (obviously)
2. Don’t drag it to the toilet with you. Relax, you can stay away from your phone for 5 minutes.
3. Keep your phone away from the pool and the sea. You’ll thank us later!
4. Keep your phone tucked away when in a rainy situation. You don’t want that rainy selfie!
5. Slap a protective case on your phone. Fall damage can open up cracks for liquids to sneak in.

What to Do if Your iPhone XR Gets Wet?

After all the safekeeping measures, there are still chances that your phone would get in contact with water, either a less harmful splash or a deadlier dive in the toilet or the pool. There are some handy steps you can follow in such a situation to try to salvage your phone and save a costly repair trip to the Apple store:

• Wipe your phone with a microfiber cloth.
• Let the excess water flow out on its own through the ports. Make sure all cables and accessories are unplugged.
• Don’t try to turn it on or open the SIM tray before at least 5 hours of drying.
• Never blow hot air on the phone to dry it. You can, however, place it under a fan.

Here’s hoping you learned something new about your beloved device. Let’s cross our fingers you never have to test the iPhone XR’s liquid protection capabilities yourself!