It’s shower time.
But you’re still on your iPhone 11 working on something.
So now you’re thinking…
“Can I take my phone with me while I bathe?”
Well, I’ve got the answer to that and more.
Keep reading to find out:
- Whether an iPhone 11 is actually waterproof.
- 5 interesting facts about showering with an iPhone 11.
- What truly happens with an iPhone 11 if you shower with it.
- And a lot more…
Can I shower with my iPhone 11?
You can shower with your iPhone 11. Apple designed it to withstand splashes of water. But it’s not advisable to do so. This is because the chemicals from soaps and shampoos can be harmful to the device. In addition, this phone’s water resistance level also decreases over time.
What happens if you shower with an iPhone 11?
What happens if you shower with an iPhone 11 is it’ll keep working. Its water seal is strong enough to withstand the moisture from the shower. However, you should still be careful with soaps and shampoos. They have chemicals that can negatively affect the phone’s water resistance level.
Most people wouldn’t even dare take their iPhone 11 to the shower. This smartphone isn’t exactly cheap, after all. And water and electronic devices are usually a terrible match.
But the truth is…
This device can survive a few trips in the shower. In fact, you can even place it under shallow water for about half an hour. And it’ll continue to work.
However, just because you can shower with an iPhone 11 doesn’t mean you should.
Its water resistance property does get weaker due to wear and tear. So you can’t always count on its ability to protect itself from water damage.
Besides, it’s rather difficult to be using your phone while showering.
And if you’re intending to use it to blast some music…
Use a waterproof Bluetooth speaker instead.
Is the iPhone 11 waterproof?
The iPhone 11 isn’t waterproof. You can only submerge it for a half hour under 6.6 ft (2 m) of water at most. It won’t survive anything beyond that. This phone is, however, water-resistant. And that’s why it won’t necessarily be harmed when you shower with it.
To further answer this question…
Let me explain the difference between waterproof and water resistance.
I understand these terms can be confusing to many. In fact, I’ve even encountered some tech articles that have used them interchangeably.
But they’re not the thing same at all.
What does waterproof mean?
This term refers to something that won’t be damaged by exposure to water. And that’s regardless of how long or how deep you submerge it.
Here are a few examples of waterproof gadgets:
- Kindle Paperwhite.
- Nikon COOLPIX W100.
- GoPro HERO6 Black Camera.
- iFox Bluetooth Shower Speaker.
- Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM Bluetooth Speaker.
“That’s awesome. But what about Apple devices?”
As of 2022, the company has yet to release any fully-waterproof gadgets. However, Apple devices all have impressive water resistance ratings.
Speaking of which…
What does water resistance mean?
This label implies that something can survive water exposure to an extent.
In other words, there’s a limit to how deep or long you can submerge it in water.
And you’ll know your device’s resistance to water via its Ingress Protection (IP) rating.
This indicates how well a device is sealed against dust and water.
Now, there are 2 digits to an IP rating.
The first is for dust protection. It’s scaled from 1 to 6.
The second digit is for water resistance. And it ranges from 1 to 8.
For both ratings, the higher, the better. So a device with a score of IP68 is well-built to withstand dust or water.
Water resistance rating of the iPhone 11
It should come as no surprise. But this smartphone has an excellent IP68 rating.
This means that some splashes of water won’t harm it. And it can survive being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. Provided that the depth doesn’t exceed 6.6 ft (2 m).
Meanwhile, the Pro and Pro Max versions also have the same IP rating.
The only difference is that these 2 high-end models can also survive a depth of up to 13 ft (4 m).
Would you like to see how well an iPhone 11 can withstand water?
If so, watch this video below:
Showering with an iPhone 11 – 5 interesting facts
#1: All iPhone 11 variants can withstand a cold to lukewarm shower
It doesn’t matter what version of this smartphone you own.
Whether it’s the standard, the Pro, or the Pro Max variant…
All of them will work fine in the shower. But this is provided that the water doesn’t exceed 95º F (35º C).
As I mentioned, all iPhone 11 models have an IP68 rating. Even a total submersion under 6.6 ft (2 m) of water won’t damage them.
So the splashes of water that come from the showerhead won’t cause much harm.
In fact, just before Apple released the iPhone 11 in late 2019…
The company released several TV ads showing the phone being doused in liquid. And it’s a testament to how much the firm believes in its product’s water resistance capability.
#2: A hot shower can be harmful to an iPhone 11
While this smartphone would be fine with a cold to lukewarm bath…
A hot shower is an entirely different matter.
To be more specific, if your shower temperature exceeds 95º F (35º C)…
Your iPhone will likely get damaged if you take it with you.
This is because iOS devices work best in a place where the temperature ranges from 32º F to 95º F (0º C to 35ºC).
Anything above that and you risk overheating your phone.
Moreover, the iPhone 11 won’t work as normal under extreme heat. Its performance will slow down. And its reception will be weaker.
In addition, as a mechanism to protect itself from heat…
Your iPhone 11’s display may either dim or go black entirely.
That’s why if you’re planning to take a hot shower…
It’s best to just leave your smartphone behind. You likely won’t be able to use it to its full capacity, anyway.
You might also be interested: (13 Fixes) How To Stop iPhone From Overheating
#3: The chemicals from toiletries can cause damage to an iPhone 11
The water from the shower won’t really harm your smartphone.
But you know what will?
Your toiletries. Examples of these include:
- Soap.
- Lotion.
- Shampoo.
- Body wash.
- Conditioner.
Apple’s website warned against exposing your iPhone to those substances. And it’s because they all have chemicals that can affect your device’s water resistance ability.
You see, your iPhone uses a special glue to create a barrier against water entry.
Moreover, this smartphone also has an acoustic membrane.
It’s a kind of net that protects the phone’s speaker from water. And it helps make it easy to get water out of a charging port.
But the glue and the acoustic membrane are only designed to withstand water. And exposing them to toiletries will eventually damage them.
And when they’re no longer functional…
Your iPhone’s speaker may blow out.
And more importantly…
The phone becomes more vulnerable to water and all other types of liquid.
That’s why if you really must shower with your iPhone 11…
Do your best to prevent it from contact with your toiletries.
#4: An iPhone 11 won’t survive frequent shower trips
So I just mentioned how crucial it is that your phone avoid things like soap and shampoo.
But here’s the reality.
Even if your device never comes into contact with those substances…
Its water resistance level is still bound to decrease with time. This is normal. And it’s part of the usual wear and tears that all gadgets go through.
Furthermore, there’s no way for Apple to reinforce an iPhone’s water resistance property.
You can’t just take it to a service center. And have them do something to make your phone’s water resistance level strong again.
What that means is, while your iPhone can survive several trips to the shower…
That won’t always be the case. Eventually, the water will get to it. And cause malfunctions or defects.
#5: Apple’s warranty doesn’t cover damages from liquid
So let’s say you took your iPhone with you in the shower.
And it somehow got damaged. Perhaps because its water resistance level is already low.
Well, you should know that your Apple warranty won’t take care of that. Liquid damage is outside of its coverage. In fact, it clearly says so on Apple’s website.
And the thing is…
There’s an easy way for Apple to tell if moisture caused your phone’s defect.
Every iPhone comes with a Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI).
It’s a small plastic that you can find on the side of your device. The color is either silver or white.
But it turns red completely when it comes into contact with liquid.
So how much will you have to spend to repair an iPhone 11 from water damage?
Apple’s website didn’t offer an exact range. But estimates from 3rd party sites say it would be anywhere from $59 to $599.
So in the end, while it’s fine to take your iPhone with you in the shower…
It still comes with some risk. And considering how much it may cost you, you’d be better off just keeping your phone dry.