Waterproof Your Phone: Best Methods & Protection

Protecting Your Smartphone from Water Damage

Smartphones have become essential tools in modern life, and it’s understandable to want to bring them along during water-based activities while simultaneously safeguarding them. This article details how to effectively protect your phone from water hazards, particularly during a beach outing.

A Reader's Concern

Dear How-To Geek,

With summer quickly approaching, I anticipate numerous trips to the beach, relaxing by the pool, and family fishing excursions – all activities that place me near or in water. I'm enthusiastic about the warmer months, but concerned about the possibility of accidentally dropping my new iPhone 6 into the pool.

What methods do you suggest for waterproofing a smartphone? I'm seeking cost-effective solutions, but I'm unwilling to risk damaging my phone with a subpar product.

Sincerely,

Water Worried

The potential for water damage is a legitimate concern for smartphones and other personal electronics. Your apprehension, given your planned summer activities, is entirely justified.

Approaches to Water Resistance

There are two primary strategies for enhancing your phone’s ability to withstand water exposure: utilizing model-specific protective cases and employing universal dry bags. It’s important to note that we’re discussing increasing water resistance, not achieving complete waterproofing.

True waterproofing is rarely attainable for personal electronics. Any protective method, when subjected to sufficient depth or force, can eventually fail. The key is to select a protection level appropriate for the anticipated conditions.

Protecting your iPhone from poolside splashes differs significantly from protecting it during a scuba diving adventure.

Exploring the Options

Let's examine each approach, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of both.

• Model-Specific Cases: These cases are designed for particular phone models, offering a snug fit and often a higher degree of protection.
• General-Use Dry Bags: These versatile bags can accommodate various devices and offer a broader range of protection for different activities.

Understanding the limitations of each method is crucial for making an informed decision. No solution guarantees absolute protection against water damage.

Waterproof Phone Cases

For many popular smartphone models, including iPhones and the Samsung Galaxy series, ruggedized, water-resistant cases are readily available for consistent use.

These cases are an excellent choice if you require ongoing protection for your device and intend to utilize it in damp environments – such as beaches or boats – with the same convenience as in typical conditions.

A quality water-resistant phone case, featuring robust seals, a touch-responsive front screen, and appropriate protection certification, generally costs between $70 and $100. The standard for classifying water resistance is the Ingress Protection (IP) rating, denoted as IPXY. Here, X indicates resistance to solid object intrusion, like dust or sand, while Y signifies resistance to liquid ingress.

Understanding IP Ratings

When selecting a case, prioritize a rating of at least IP68. This ensures the case is both dustproof and waterproof to a depth of six feet for a minimum of one hour.

The LifeProof range of iPhone cases serves as a prime example of this type of protective gear. Priced around $70, they boast an IP68 rating and also meet MIL-SPEC standards for drop protection from heights up to 6.6 feet. Their high ratings and popularity are well-deserved.

However, a potential drawback of water-resistant cases exists. If not properly managed, it can negate their protective capabilities. This concerns the access ports.

Because these cases are designed for continuous use, they incorporate ports for headphones and charging. Consequently, if these ports aren't securely closed according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the water resistance is compromised, potentially becoming ineffective.

Importance of Port Seals

This limitation isn’t a manufacturing defect, but rather an inherent challenge in designs that allow user access to essential phone components without complete case removal. Consider the example shown above, where an open charging port on a LifeProof iPhone 6 case creates a vulnerability for water intrusion.

To summarize, anticipate spending at least $70 for a reliable water-resistant case. Ensure it carries an IP rating of IP68 or higher. Most importantly, always verify that all ports are securely sealed as per the manufacturer’s guidelines whenever you are near water.

Safeguarding Your Device with a Dry Bag

For those seeking a cost-effective alternative to dedicated waterproof cases, or who prefer to avoid their bulk, dry bags present a viable solution. Essentially, a dry bag is a robust, sealed plastic container engineered to prevent moisture penetration. Originally utilized for safeguarding gear during activities like rafting, these bags are now available in sizes specifically designed for phones, cameras, and other portable electronics.

The primary advantage of employing a dry bag lies in its affordability. A reliable, smartphone-compatible dry bag can be acquired for approximately $10. Similar pricing applies to models suitable for tablets like iPads or Kindles. This makes it the most budget-friendly, yet remarkably effective, method for shielding your device from water damage. Many quality dry bags even feature IP ratings, mirroring those found on waterproof cases.