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Dropped your iPhone in water or spilled coffee on it? Whether you'll pay for the repair depends on your coverage. Apple's standard warranty and AppleCare+ treat liquid damage very differently. Here's what each covers, what a liquid-damage repair costs, and how to check your status in a minute.
Key takeaways
- Apple says liquid damage isn't covered by its one-year limited warranty, though you may have rights under consumer law.
- AppleCare+ covers accidental damage, including liquid damage, for a service fee.
- In the US, Apple lists a $99 fee for "other accidental damage" on iPhone (liquid damage falls here) and $29 for screen-only or back-glass-only damage. Fees vary by country.
- Check your coverage at checkcoverage.apple.com or in Settings on your iPhone.
The standard warranty
Every new iPhone comes with Apple's one-year limited warranty, which covers manufacturing defects. Apple's water-resistance support page says plainly that "liquid damage is not covered under warranty, but you might have rights under consumer law." Water resistance also isn't permanent and can decrease with normal wear, so even an IP68-rated iPhone isn't protected against liquid damage claims. See is my iPhone waterproof?
Consumer law
In some countries, including the UK, EU member states and Australia, consumer law gives you rights beyond the manufacturer's warranty when a product isn't of acceptable quality. Those rights generally cover faults, not accidents, so they rarely help with a phone dropped in a pool. They're still worth knowing if a phone fails in normal use.
What AppleCare+ covers
AppleCare+ extends hardware coverage and adds accidental damage protection, including liquid damage. Apple's US program terms list two kinds of accidental damage service fees for iPhone:
| Type of damage (US) | AppleCare+ service fee |
|---|---|
| Screen-only or back-glass-only damage | $29 |
| Other accidental damage, including liquid damage | $99 |
| Theft or loss (AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss only) | Separate deductible; check Apple's fees page |
Fees, taxes and plan options differ by country and can change, so check Apple's current AppleCare fees page for your region before you book a repair.
What a repair costs without AppleCare+
Without AppleCare+, liquid damage is usually treated as out-of-warranty "other damage." Apple's repair price for that varies by model and can be several hundred dollars, sometimes close to the cost of a replacement phone. Apple's support site lets you get an estimate for your model before you commit.
How to check your coverage
- On your iPhone, open Settings, then General, then AppleCare & Warranty. Your iPhone and any plan or remaining warranty are listed there. (On older iOS versions, look under Settings, General, About, Coverage.)
- Or visit checkcoverage.apple.com and enter your serial number.
- You can also sign in to mysupport.apple.com to see all your devices and plans.
Can you still buy AppleCare+ after water damage?
No. AppleCare+ has to be in place before the accident. In the US, Apple generally lets you add AppleCare+ within 60 days of buying your iPhone, and a plan bought after damage won't cover that damage. If you miss that window, Apple may offer enrollment after an inspection. Check the options shown in Settings, General, AppleCare & Warranty.
Other places your phone might be covered
- Carrier insurance plans often cover liquid damage, with their own deductibles.
- Home or renters insurance may cover phones, though the deductible often makes small claims pointless.
- Credit card benefits: some cards include cell phone protection if you pay your monthly phone bill with the card. Check the card's benefits guide for deductibles and limits.
Step by step: what to do after liquid damage
- Follow the drying steps in dropped your iPhone in the pool? Don't charge it while wet.
- Back up your data as soon as the phone works, through iCloud or a computer.
- Check your coverage.
- If you have AppleCare+, start a repair request through the Apple Support app or website.
- Without AppleCare+, compare Apple's estimate with an independent repair shop, keeping in mind that third-party repairs can affect future Apple service.
Is AppleCare+ worth it for water damage?
It depends on how accident-prone you are, the price of your iPhone, and whether you already have coverage through a carrier or credit card. If a $99 fee feels much easier to absorb than a repair bill of several hundred dollars, and you use your phone around water, AppleCare+ can be worth considering. If you rarely damage phones, setting aside money for repairs may cost less over time.
Tips to make a claim go smoothly
- Back up your iPhone first if it still turns on, since repairs can involve a replacement device.
- Turn off Find My before handing the phone over, if Apple asks you to.
- Have your Apple Account password ready.
- Describe what happened honestly; liquid indicators inside the phone usually show water exposure anyway.
- Keep the repair confirmation and any fee receipt.
Frequently asked questions
Does Apple's warranty cover water damage?
No. Apple says liquid damage isn't covered by its standard one-year limited warranty, although you may have rights under consumer law in some countries.
How much does AppleCare+ charge for water damage?
In the US, Apple lists a $99 service fee for iPhone "other accidental damage," which includes liquid damage. Screen-only or back-glass-only damage is $29. Fees vary by country.
Can I buy AppleCare+ after my phone gets wet?
AppleCare+ only covers accidents that happen after it's in place. In the US you can usually add it within 60 days of buying your iPhone, but it won't cover damage that already happened.
How can I tell if my iPhone has AppleCare+?
Check Settings, General, AppleCare & Warranty on your iPhone, or enter your serial number at checkcoverage.apple.com.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 15, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.
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