Can I Shower With My iPhone 13? 7 Surprising Facts (2023)

If you’re just like me…

You use your iPhone 13 more than you interact with other gadgets.

So, it’s not unusual if you want to bring it with you inside the shower.

However, is it really safe to expose your expensive iOS device to this much water?

Continue reading to find out:

Whether or not your iPhone 13 is waterproof.
What happens if you shower with an iPhone 13.
7 surprising facts about showering with your iOS device.
And this is just the beginning…

Can I shower with my iPhone 13?

You can shower with your iPhone 13 because your device is water-resistant. However, it’s not recommended to do so. That’s because liquid can still reach your phone’s internal components with enough pressure. And warm showers’ temperatures also negatively affect your phone’s performance.

What happens if you shower with an iPhone 13?

If you shower with an iPhone 13, you’ll damage your device’s components. Or stop your phone from working due to high temperatures caused by a warm shower.

Now, a lot of my friends get confused when I say this. So, they always ask me:

“But isn’t my iPhone 13 water resistant?”

Yes, that’s true. However…

Having resistance to water doesn’t guarantee your phone’s safety against liquid. Not to mention the toiletries you use in the shower, like soap or shampoo.

See, Apple rated iPhone 13 with IP68. Which means your device can survive 6 m deep underwater for 30 minutes.

Now, that may sound like your iPhone can surely withstand showering…

But really, it won’t.

Here’s why:

Apple only tested your iPhone model on controlled laboratory conditions where:

The water wasn’t moving.
Temperatures were regulated.
The water didn’t have any chemicals.

And your shower doesn’t replicate this environment.

Is the iPhone 13 waterproof?

The iPhone 13 isn’t waterproof. It’s water-resistant.

Now, don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with both terms yet. Because I’ll explain them below.

That said, first, let’s talk about…

What waterproof means

When you step in a puddle while wearing rubber boots…

Your feet will remain dry regardless of how long you stand in the water.

See, this is only possible because your boots are waterproof. Which means they’re made with materials that never absorb water.

Here are other objects that are considered waterproof:

Goggles.
Umbrella.
Raincoat.

Now, your iPhone doesn’t fall under this category. Simply because it’s made with materials that water can pass through. And it also has gaps and holes that liquid can enter.

Instead, your iPhone 13 has something called water resistance.

And here’s…

What being water-resistant means

Devices or objects under this category have protection against water. But they’re not totally safe from it.

That’s because with enough liquid exposure…

Water can still damage even phones with the highest water resistance.

Because all devices have holes and gaps, such as:

Speakers.
Charging ports.
Headphone slots.

“Do all phones have the same water resistance?”

No, they don’t.

The IP Rating I talked about earlier is a scoring system that states how much your device can resist water.

Interesting fact: As mentioned, your iPhone 13 has an IP68 rating. And this is the highest water-resistance level all mobile devices can reach up to date.

Showering with an iPhone 13 – 7 surprising facts

#1: Water damage isn’t covered by warranty

There are many reasons I don’t recommend showering with an iPhone 13.

And this, no doubt, tops the list.

See, Apple doesn’t cover water damage in its One-Year Limited Warranty. No matter how new your iPhone may be.

However, luckily…

If you have AppleCare+, the brand’s extended warranty…

You’ll have the choice to get your iPhone 13 fixed for about $100.

Or alternatively…

You may replace your device with the same refurbished model for a couple of hundred bucks.

#2: iPhone warns you if there’s liquid in your lightning port

If you accidentally dropped your device on the floor…

Manually checking if there’s water inside your phone’s lightning port isn’t necessary.

Why?

Because your iPhone 13 has a built-in liquid detection alert.

So, a notification will show up on your screen if your device has water inside its charging port.

And you’ll see either of these prompts on your device:

Charging not available (if you connect a charger to your iPhone).
Liquid detected in lightning connector. (If you plug another accessory like EarPods into your device).

Note: Your iPhone won’t charge if this alert shows up.

But don’t worry.

You can still use your mobile device once you completely remove the water inside it.

So, just follow these steps to…

Dry your iPhone’s lightning port:

Hold your iPhone with the charging slot facing down.
Tap the device against your hand 5-10 times to remove excess water.
Leave your iPhone in a dry area.
Wait for 30 minutes.
Try charging your device again.

Note: If you still see the alert afterward, let your iPhone dry for the whole day.

#3: There’s a Liquid Contact Indicator inside your iPhone 13

Ever wondered how Apple can check if your device was damaged by water or not?

Well, the process wasn’t as complicated as I thought it was.

See, your mobile device has a Liquid Contact indicator (LCI) inside.

And it’s a small strip that changes color once exposed to liquid.

So, when you bring your device to Apple…

The brand’s representatives will briefly examine your phone’s LCI. And decide whether your iOS device is still covered by warranty based on the strip’s color.

Fun fact: It’s possible to check your iPhone 13’s LCI yourself.

And if you want to do so, just follow this video tutorial:

#4: Steam activates your phone’s LCI

When iPhones were only starting to become popular…

Apple had to pay about $53M to settle lawsuits.

The cause of the conflict?

Falsely activated Liquid Contact Indicators. Or LCIs that changed color despite not having any direct contact with water.

See, back then…

Thousands of people complained that they were denied a warranty. Even when they’ve made sure their devices stayed away from water.

Eventually, the manufacturer of iPhones’ LCI stated that:

Steam or humidity also triggers the Liquid Contact Indicator to change color.

And this fact stands true up to date.

That said, if your device is still under warranty…

Don’t bring it inside your bathroom if you like warm showers.

Because Apple might refuse to fix your phone later due to its activated LCI.

#6: Warm showers can stop your iPhone from working

Your device is designed to work in temperatures 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C).

However, warm showers exceed this range. So, I highly recommend keeping your iPhone out of the bathroom.

See, according to Apple…

You may shorten your phone’s battery life if you constantly expose it to warm temperatures.

And your device may also:

Stop charging.
Appear dimmer.
Show a warning notification.
Force close some of its apps.

And in the worst scenarios, you won’t even be able to use your iPhone when it’s hot.

#6: Shower is your iPhone’s oleophobic coating’s enemy

This fancy term is also known as an anti-smudge coat.

And simply speaking…

It prevents your phone’s screen from being covered in oily fingerprints and dust.

Now, this coat naturally degrades due to normal usage.

However, if you bring your iPhone 13 in the shower…

You may damage this layer a lot quicker. Because cleaning agents like your soap can remove the coating from your device’s screen.

Note: This also applies to the oleophobic coat on your phone’s screen protector.

“Is there a way to restore my iPhone 13’s anti-smudge coating?”

Luckily, there is.

Just put a few drops of an oleophobic coating kit on your phone’s screen. And your device will avoid having fingerprint marks again.

#7: Your iPhone becomes less resistant to water over time

Apple stated that your iPhone 13’s resistance to water isn’t a permanent condition.

Because over time, your device’s built-in seal will degrade and become loose.

Moreover…

The water resistance of your phone becomes even more shortlived if you:

Constantly drop your device.
Dissemble it and remove its screws.

That’s because these events create gaps that let water enter your phone.

That said…

Avoid bringing your iPhone 13 in the shower at all costs if it’s:

Older than one year.
Been dropped multiple times.
Been opened by Apple or other technicians.

Bonus: There are safe ways to bring your iPhone 13 into the shower

If you really want to enjoy your mobile device while showering…

Let me show 2 different ways you can ensure your phone’s safety.

First, instead of listening to music or podcast from your phone, you can…

Use a water-resistant Bluetooth speaker

Here are 2 reasons I love this audio device:

It’s louder.
It’s cheaper.

That means you can place your speaker further away from your shower.

Plus, you won’t break the bank if you accidentally damage this device with water.

“Which speakers do you recommend?”

I’m a huge fan of JBL water-resistant models. Because they’re affordable, loud, and extremely easy to connect with your iPhone.

Now, do you want to scroll through your device or watch a movie in the shower instead?

In that case, I recommend…

Buying a waterproof phone pouch

This protects your phone from any direct contact with water.

However, if you want to keep your iPhone 13 in the shower with the help of this case…

Important: Ensure that you’re not taking a warm shower. As mentioned, your device may overheat if the ambient temperature exceeds 95º F (35ºC).