iPhone 12, rated for up to 30 minutes underwater, survived for three months in a California river،
Poseidon, the Greek god of water, acts in mysterious ways. Just like Apple engineers, they designed the iPhone 12 to withstand exposure to water up to 20 feet and up to 20 feet, but one of these phones managed to survive three months whole in a river in California. And it still works!
The phone was recently removed by a diver who was cleaning the Stanislaus River in Northern California and came across the submerged mobile treasure and said AppleInsider his history.
Lee, as the diver is called, was minding his own business in the river (cleaning it) on November 10, when an iPhone covered in algae and stuck at the bottom between some rocks caught his attention. He took it out and it turned out to be a iPhone12.
Lee let the soaked cellphone dry for six days, then managed to turn it on after connecting it to a charger.
The phone apparently did not have a password since Lee was able to unlock it and view information such as recent photos and contacts. The most recent video recorded on the phone was taken on the same river on September 4, suggesting she had been submerged there for three months.
So far the diver has not been able to find out who lost the device, but plans to contact some of the contacts listed in the iPhone12 and return it to its owner.
How do I prevent liquid damage on my iPhone?
The aforementioned story is fascinating and gives us all hope, but we shouldn't take for granted that every iPhone can (and should!) survive weeks and months submerged in water. As always, there are a few simple rules to follow to avoid liquid damage to your iPhone.
So, avoid:
- Swim or bathe with your iPhone
- Exposing your iPhone to pressurized water or high-velocity water, such as when showering, water skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, jet skiing, etc.
- Using your iPhone in a sauna or steam room
- Intentionally submerging your iPhone in water
- Using your iPhone outside of suggested temperature ranges or in extremely humid conditions
- Dropping your iPhone or subjecting it to other impacts
- Disassembling your iPhone, including removing screws
- Minimize your iPhone's exposure to soap, detergent, acids or acidic foods and any liquids
But my iPhone is already wet, what now?
If a liquid other than water splashes on your iPhone, rinse the affected area with tap water. Wipe your iPhone with a soft, lint-free cloth, such as a lens cloth. Make sure your iPhone is dry before opening the SIM tray. To dry your iPhone, gently tap it against your hand with the Lightning or USB-C connector facing down to remove excess liquid. Leave your iPhone in a dry place with some air circulation. Placing your iPhone in front of a fan blowing cool air directly into the Lightning or USB-C connector can help with the drying process.
Do not dry your iPhone using an external heat source or insert a foreign object, such as a cotton swab or paper towel, into the Lightning or USB-C connector.
And remember, Apple doesn't cover water damage, even though the device can survive three months in a river.
