How to Check if an iPhone Has Been Water Damaged (Before You Buy)
- 15 min reading time
Learn how to detect water damage in used iPhones before buying in Perth. Complete guide to checking LCI indicators, hidden corrosion signs, and seller red flags that could save you $600.
How to Check if an iPhone Has Been Water Damaged (Before You Buy in Perth)
You're about to spend $600 on a 'mint condition' iPhone 14 from a Perth Gumtree seller. They swear it's never been dropped, never been repaired. The screen looks perfect. Everything works. But there's one thing they're not telling you—and it could cost you everything.
Water damage is the silent killer of iPhones. Unlike a cracked screen you can see immediately, water damage hides. It works fine for a week, maybe a month. Then one day your Face ID stops working. Your camera fogs up. Your charging port corrodes. And by then, the Perth seller has blocked your number.
Why Water Damage is Perth's Biggest iPhone Risk
In Perth, this problem is even worse than other Australian cities. We're a beach city. Summer pool parties, Rottnest trips, Cottesloe beach days, accidental toilet drops—there are a thousand ways an iPhone ends up water damaged here. And with Perth's coastal humidity (especially in suburbs like Fremantle, Scarborough, and North Beach), that moisture sits inside the phone, slowly corroding components even after it "dries out."
I've been inspecting refurbished iPhones for over four years in Perth, and I can tell you this: water damage is one of the biggest risks when buying a used iPhone in the Perth market. But it's also one of the easiest to detect—if you know what to look for.
The Perth Reality
I've seen dozens of "perfect condition" iPhone 14s listed on Perth Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace that had clear water damage signs. Perth sellers know most buyers don't check for this—so they're counting on you not knowing either.
The Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI): Your First Line of Defense
Every iPhone has built-in "tattletales" called Liquid Contact Indicators, or LCIs. These are tiny stickers that change color permanently when they contact liquid. Apple puts them in strategic locations inside the phone—and checking them takes less than 30 seconds.
Here's what you need to know when inspecting a used iPhone in Perth:
What LCIs Look Like
LCIs are small, circular stickers visible through certain openings in the iPhone's body. They come in two colors:
- White or silver = No liquid contact (safe to buy)
- Red or pink = Liquid contact detected (do not buy)
Once an LCI turns red, it stays red forever. There's no "resetting" it. This is why it's such a reliable water damage indicator, especially critical for Perth's humid climate.
Where to Find LCIs on iPhone 14
The iPhone 14 has LCI indicators in three key locations:
1. SIM Card Tray Slot
Remove the SIM tray using the ejector tool (or a paperclip). Look inside the slot—you'll see a small white or red dot on the upper edge. This is the most accessible LCI and the one you should always check first when meeting a Perth seller.
2. Charging Port (Lightning Port)
Shine a flashlight directly into the Lightning port at the bottom of the phone. You'll see a small indicator deep inside—it should be white or silver. If it's red or pink, that's liquid contact.
3. Internal LCIs (Requires Opening the Phone)
There are additional LCIs inside the phone near the battery and logic board. You can't check these without opening the device—which is why professional inspection matters for high-value purchases in the Perth market.
Pro Tip for Perth Buyers
Always bring a small flashlight (or use your current phone's flashlight) when meeting a Perth seller on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. The LCIs can be hard to see in dim lighting—and some sellers choose dark meeting spots on purpose.
Beyond LCIs: Other Water Damage Warning Signs (Perth-Specific)
LCIs are the most reliable indicator, but water damage often leaves other clues. Here's what to look for when inspecting a used iPhone 14 from Perth sellers:
1. Camera Fogging or Condensation
Check both the front and rear cameras carefully. If you see fog, condensation, or a "milky" appearance inside the camera lens, that's moisture trapped inside the phone. This is particularly common in Perth's coastal suburbs where humidity is higher.
Even if the phone is "working fine," camera fogging means there's still moisture inside—and Perth's climate will make it worse over time.
2. Charging Port Corrosion
Use your flashlight to inspect the Lightning port. Look for:
- Green or white crusty buildup (corrosion)
- Bent or damaged pins
- Discoloration around the metal contacts
Corrosion in the charging port is a dead giveaway of water exposure. Even if the phone charges now, corroded ports tend to fail over time—especially in Perth's salty coastal air if the previous owner lived near the beach.
3. Screen Edge Water Stains
Turn the phone's screen completely white (open Notes or Safari with a blank page). Look carefully at the edges of the screen, especially the corners. Water damage can leave faint yellowish or brownish stains along the screen edges where moisture seeped in.
4. Speaker Distortion or Muffled Sound
Test both the earpiece speaker and the bottom speakers. Play music or a video at medium volume. If the sound is:
- Muffled or "underwater-sounding"
- Crackling or distorted
- Significantly quieter than normal
...that could indicate water damage to the speaker components.
5. Face ID or Touch ID Malfunction
Ask the Perth seller to demonstrate Face ID (for iPhone 14). If they say "it's not set up" or "I don't use it," that's a potential red flag. Water damage commonly affects Face ID sensors, and Perth sellers know this is a telltale sign.
🚩 Major Red Flag in Perth Sales
If a Perth Gumtree or Facebook seller refuses to remove the SIM tray or let you inspect ports, walk away immediately. Legitimate sellers have nothing to hide and understand that Perth buyers need to verify condition before purchasing.
Why "It's Working Fine" Doesn't Mean It's Safe (Perth Climate Factor)
This is the part most Perth buyers don't understand: water-damaged iPhones can work perfectly fine for weeks or even months after exposure.
Here's why that's particularly dangerous in Perth:
Water doesn't kill phones instantly. It causes slow, progressive corrosion. The moisture sits on tiny circuit board components, slowly eating away at solder joints and metal contacts. Perth's coastal humidity accelerates this process. One day everything works. A month later, your cellular signal drops out. Two months later, the battery starts draining in hours. Six months later, the phone won't turn on at all.
And here's the worst part for Perth buyers: Apple's warranty doesn't cover water damage—even if the phone was advertised as "water resistant." So when that $600 iPhone from a Perth Gumtree seller dies in three months, you have no recourse.
Real Example from Perth
I inspected an iPhone 14 Pro from a Fremantle seller who insisted "it's never been near water." All LCIs were bright red. The seller then admitted it "might have been in the bathroom when someone was showering." That's liquid contact—and that phone was a ticking time bomb in Perth's humidity.
What About "Water Resistant" iPhones?
The iPhone 14 is rated IP68, which means it can survive submersion in up to 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes under laboratory conditions.
But here's what Apple doesn't advertise as loudly: water resistance degrades over time.
The seals and adhesives that keep water out wear down through normal use. Drops, temperature changes (like Perth's 40°C summer days), and aging all compromise the water resistance. A brand-new iPhone 14 might survive a pool drop at a Perth summer party. A two-year-old iPhone 14 might not—even if it's in perfect cosmetic condition.
This is why you should never assume a used iPhone from a Perth seller is still water resistant, even if it was when new.
How Perth Sellers Try to Hide Water Damage
Unfortunately, some Perth Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace sellers know exactly what buyers check for—and they've learned how to hide the evidence. Here are common tactics I've seen in the Perth market:
Tactic 1: "The SIM Tray is Stuck"
If a Perth seller claims they "can't get the SIM tray out" or "don't have the tool," that's suspicious. SIM trays aren't difficult to remove—and any legitimate seller should have the tool or be willing to use a paperclip.
Why? Because the SIM tray LCI is the easiest one to check, and Perth sellers know you'll see the red indicator if you look.
Tactic 2: Meeting in Dim Lighting
Ever notice how some Perth sellers want to meet at night or in parking garages? LCIs are much harder to see in poor lighting. Always insist on inspecting the phone in bright light—or bring your own flashlight to Perth meetups.
Tactic 3: "I Already Factory Reset It"
Some Perth sellers factory reset the phone before meeting, claiming "it's ready for you to set up." But this conveniently means you can't test Face ID, check battery diagnostics, or see usage history that might reveal water exposure.
Always ask the Perth seller to keep the phone functional until you've inspected it. A factory reset can happen after you've verified everything works.
Tactic 4: Replacing LCI Stickers
Yes, this happens in Perth. Some unscrupulous sellers actually replace triggered LCIs with new white stickers purchased online. This is fraud, but it's hard to detect unless you know what to look for.
That's why checking multiple indicators—LCIs, corrosion, camera fog, speaker quality—gives you a fuller picture of the Perth iPhone's true condition.
What to Do If You Find Water Damage (Perth Buyer Protection)
If you're inspecting a used iPhone 14 from a Perth seller and discover any signs of water damage:
1. Walk away immediately. Don't let the Perth seller talk you into a discount. Water damage is progressive and unpredictable in Perth's climate—no discount is worth the risk.
2. Don't feel bad about walking away. If the Perth seller "forgot" to mention water exposure, that's on them, not you. Your money deserves a phone that will last.
3. Report obvious fraud. If you catch a Perth seller deliberately hiding water damage (replaced LCIs, lying about submersion), report the listing to Gumtree/Facebook. This protects other Perth buyers.
4. File with Consumer Protection WA. Perth buyers are protected under Australian Consumer Law even for private sales. If scammed, report to Consumer Protection WA: 1300 30 40 54.
The Bottom Line: Always Check for Water Damage in Perth
Here's my honest advice as someone who inspects iPhones in Perth every day:
- Check the SIM tray LCI every single time. No exceptions when meeting Perth sellers. If it's red, walk away.
- Bring a flashlight to Perth meetups. Inspect the charging port for corrosion—it's a dead giveaway.
- Test Face ID, speakers, and cameras. Water damage in Perth's humidity often shows up in these components first.
- Don't trust "it's never been near water." Verify for yourself—LCIs don't lie, even when Perth sellers do.
- If a Perth seller resists inspection, that's your answer. Move on to the next listing.
- Meet in safe public Perth locations. Police station carpark (Northbridge), shopping centres (Carousel, Garden City) with good lighting.
Water damage is one of the few iPhone problems that's completely avoidable if you know what to check before buying in Perth. Spend an extra two minutes inspecting before you buy, and you'll save yourself hundreds of dollars in repairs—or the total loss of a water-damaged phone.
At Oloop, water damage inspection is Step 12 of our TrueCheck™ 30+4 protocol. We photograph every LCI, check for internal corrosion, and verify water resistance seals before any iPhone goes up for sale in Perth. If we find even one red LCI, that phone doesn't make it into our inventory—period. Every TrueReport™ includes photographic proof that all liquid contact indicators are white, so Perth buyers never have to wonder.
Want a Phone You Know Is Water-Damage Free?
Every Oloop iPhone 14 comes with photographed LCI verification in its permanent TrueReport™. No guessing. No hidden water damage. Just complete transparency for Perth buyers.