Where are all the moisture sensors at on the iphone?

[patrickdunn]

Apple says

Here is the support page from apple regarding the sensors. Hope this helps.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3302

 

[danielw1968]

Ripped off on iphone sensor..

I am an Apple "nut job" all apple aLl the time. I get harassed by my friends for owning 5 computers, 2 iphones, time capsule..etc.... I am a photographer and I love their equipment. HOWEVER, my iphone started giving me problems, I could not here the other person, But everything else worked fine, not a scratch on it. Took in to apple store they told me i submerged my iphone in water...wth??? I NEVER GOT A DROP OF WATER ON IT! This is a complete rip off! I had to buy a new phone. this is after my first gen. iphone, then 6 months after i bought my 3g.. They totally did NOT care that i swore it never got wet, I would swear on a stack of Bibles 100 ft. tall... I NEVER GOT IT WET! Also have bought my son a 3g. That now is a total of 4 iphones! I have written Apples home office. I love this company they have always been great, BUT SOMETHING FISHY IS GOING ON HERE! I have spent over $15,000 with this company and have never tried to rip them off, and i would not, if i got it wet i would admit it! This must be addressed, there are honest people that are getting upset over this. I am one!! I spend A lot of money with Apple, they better start listening to their die hard customers that spend a lot of money with them. I always have the option of taking my money elsewhere ... I don't want to though, just fix this issue. It is only a $200.00 phone. DO THEY WANT TO LOSE ALL THE MONEY I WILL SPEND OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS OVER THIS?? I AM A STOCK HOLDER AND I SAY NO!!!! Keep the customer happy, thats how I have stayed in business for 22 years! What's up APPLE??? PERSONALLY I think it is a software problem, I have no basis, just my guess....

 

[9822679]

can we get a sticky for

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3302

this question seems to be asked several times ( its pretty useful information to boot !)

 

[danielw1968]

how does that help?

What I am saying is...MY PHONE NEVER, NEVER NEVER GOT WET! IN ANY WAY! I understand that some people do and lie about it. However my issue is again...I I NEVER GOT IT EVEN DAMP..... posting a generic link to explain the sensor is not much help if the sensor is defective. Let me repeat.. I NEVER GOT IT WET... I am sorry if some sensor went off. Are these sensor's (1 was showing on mine) 100% perfect? Or is there maybe a customer who is NOT lying? I will swear on my mothers grave... it never got wet! I have never tried to rip off Apple nor will I, but i expect the same. I understand some people do, I DID NOT! All of the money I have spent with this company should mean something. I have even had a photography company that closely works with us, switch to Apple. I expect to be listened to, and maybe even a little more research on my iphone... go into it see if there is any water damage. Surely if it is so damaged it will show up somewhere besides a red dot! Give me a break! Is there A 0% chance the sensors are DEFECTIVE and a 100% I am lying? Common sense needs to come into play in some issues. Though common sense does not play much of a role in our country anymore. However I AM NOT LYING!!!! Say what you want! This has potential to be a BIG problem for Apple. They better find a better way to deal with this! I will not let this die, Also just so you know, it has made the news that I know of in 2 major cities, seattle and I forget the other. I can also bring it to Atlanta news as I know a lot of people at Fox 5. I have sent a letter to Apple to give them a chance to resolve this. I believe they will. It is NOT the $200.00 it is the principle of the matter! I don't care if it was $10.00.... I know I am NOT the only person that has this problem!

 

[patrickdunn]

Fire off an email to:

sjobs@apple.com
steve@mac.com
sj@pixar.com

Let us know if those work.

 

[simore]

Smart ass

Interestingly, pure water is a terrible conductor of electricity. It's when you get pollution (minerals, salts, etc) mixed in, that you get conductivity.

Interestingly, as someone that has studied chemistry I can tell you that PURE water never exists in a natural environments, but costs a FORTUNE to produce under highly unnatural conditions because water is such a good solvent and thus ions (the charged particles which allow it to conduct electricity, described as "pollution" above) dissolve in it. In short, you wont have to worry about running into any pure water to test this out.

 

[ethical]

I am an Apple "nut job" all apple aLl the time. I get harassed by my friends for owning 5 computers, 2 iphones, time capsule..etc.... I am a photographer and I love their equipment. HOWEVER, my iphone started giving me problems, I could not here the other person, But everything else worked fine, not a scratch on it. Took in to apple store they told me i submerged my iphone in water...wth??? I NEVER GOT A DROP OF WATER ON IT! This is a complete rip off! I had to buy a new phone. this is after my first gen. iphone, then 6 months after i bought my 3g.. They totally did NOT care that i swore it never got wet, I would swear on a stack of Bibles 100 ft. tall... I NEVER GOT IT WET! Also have bought my son a 3g. That now is a total of 4 iphones! I have written Apples home office. I love this company they have always been great, BUT SOMETHING FISHY IS GOING ON HERE! I have spent over $15,000 with this company and have never tried to rip them off, and i would not, if i got it wet i would admit it! This must be addressed, there are honest people that are getting upset over this. I am one!! I spend A lot of money with Apple, they better start listening to their die hard customers that spend a lot of money with them. I always have the option of taking my money elsewhere ... I don't want to though, just fix this issue. It is only a $200.00 phone. DO THEY WANT TO LOSE ALL THE MONEY I WILL SPEND OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS OVER THIS?? I AM A STOCK HOLDER AND I SAY NO!!!! Keep the customer happy, thats how I have stayed in business for 22 years! What's up APPLE??? PERSONALLY I think it is a software problem, I have no basis, just my guess....

What I am saying is...MY PHONE NEVER, NEVER NEVER GOT WET! IN ANY WAY! I understand that some people do and lie about it. However my issue is again...I I NEVER GOT IT EVEN DAMP..... posting a generic link to explain the sensor is not much help if the sensor is defective. Let me repeat.. I NEVER GOT IT WET... I am sorry if some sensor went off. Are these sensor's (1 was showing on mine) 100% perfect? Or is there maybe a customer who is NOT lying? I will swear on my mothers grave... it never got wet! I have never tried to rip off Apple nor will I, but i expect the same. I understand some people do, I DID NOT! All of the money I have spent with this company should mean something. I have even had a photography company that closely works with us, switch to Apple. I expect to be listened to, and maybe even a little more research on my iphone... go into it see if there is any water damage. Surely if it is so damaged it will show up somewhere besides a red dot! Give me a break! Is there A 0% chance the sensors are DEFECTIVE and a 100% I am lying? Common sense needs to come into play in some issues. Though common sense does not play much of a role in our country anymore. However I AM NOT LYING!!!! Say what you want! This has potential to be a BIG problem for Apple. They better find a better way to deal with this! I will not let this die, Also just so you know, it has made the news that I know of in 2 major cities, seattle and I forget the other. I can also bring it to Atlanta news as I know a lot of people at Fox 5. I have sent a letter to Apple to give them a chance to resolve this. I believe they will. It is NOT the $200.00 it is the principle of the matter! I don't care if it was $10.00.... I know I am NOT the only person that has this problem!

I'm sorry what's your point exactly? I don't think I managed to note it down the first 15 times I read it.

Also, I think your shift/caps-lock key is broken.... it keeps coming in at odd points during your ramblings.

However, I do agree with your point that they need a more full-proof method of checking this. I've read on here about people in the gym setting their sensors off. Madness.

 

[pkoch1]

To beat a dead horse, the sensors are just as sensitive as the components in the iPhone. Enough water, moisture, or humidity to trigger the sensors is enough water, moisture, or humidity to break an iPhone.

 

[vinay427]

However, I do agree with your point that they need a more full-proof method of checking this. I've read on here about people in the gym setting their sensors off. Madness.

Yeah. That's just low, especially for a company like Apple. That's a Microsoft thing to do. Get people to buy products that don't work right (At&t issues) and when they come in, give some ridiculous lie that the phone got wet.

 

[appleguy123]

Cheap protection for the exposed ports.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15259

that sounds kinda dirty lol

 

[sg.hill]

Interestingly, pure water is a terrible conductor of electricity. It's when you get pollution (minerals, salts, etc) mixed in, that you get conductivity.

Interestingly, as someone that has studied chemistry I can tell you that PURE water never exists in a natural environments, but costs a FORTUNE to produce under highly unnatural conditions because water is such a good solvent and thus ions (the charged particles which allow it to conduct electricity, described as "pollution" above) dissolve in it. In short, you wont have to worry about running into any pure water to test this out.

I recognize this is a thread of competing rants, but how in the world is this justified? I read the same post as you and actually *did* find that piece of information interesting; not snobbish, condescending, or high falutin. Ah the joys of text-based communication with strangers...where tone is left to the reader's innermost desires!

On topic, I seem to have had a completely different experience than most people here. I use my phone in the rain quite a bit. I set my phone down on the console of a treadmill last week and a good five minutes elapsed before I realized the bottom was sitting on very shallow standing water. It wasn't submerged, but who doesn't panic any time there is standing water near their electronics? The rain is unavoidable, as it seems to happen 4 days a week, but I was sure the treadmill thing was going to void my warranty. Anyway, I don't have the dots on either of my 3G's sensors.

Are these sensor's (1 was showing on mine) 100% perfect?

No, virtually nothing is 100%. They're deemed good enough. They operate at a statistical confidence level that likely accepts very few false positives and false negatives. Sometimes people do nothing wrong and get a raw deal, other times people get away with things. That's just life. It happens to most (all?) of us at some point.

All of the money I have spent with this company should mean something.

At the risk of being brazen here, from your first post it seems to mean they can count on a steady flow of your money for years to come. Sure you have the option of taking your money elsewhere, but who do you hear has better customer service? Dell?

Also just so you know, it has made the news that I know of in 2 major cities, seattle and I forget the other. I can also bring it to Atlanta news as I know a lot of people at Fox 5.

I would definitely be angered if I were in your situation, but I wouldn't be wasting my time on these outlets. The only people I ever hear quote news stories on the defamation of technology brands are my grandparents; kind of ironic when you consider they have no interest in such devices anyway. Maybe it'll get you special treatment from Apple though.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Environmental requirements

* Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F
(0° to 35° C)
* Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F
(-20° to 45° C)
* Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
* Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)

Off apple own web page and let me tell you how much crap that list is.

Any coastal city will have humidity that goes over that amount they will quite often hit 100% A bathroom during a shower will hit 100%.

Tempture go city in the south where the temp regularly breaking a 100. Hell last summer the temp hit 107 in the shade where I live and over a black top parking lot I seen it measured as high as 120 where i was standing. Those are regular events and lets face it the iPhone or any cell phone is going to have to operate in that environment at some point in time.

I have NEVER seen any other cell phone has as mean false water complaints as the iphone. I tend to believe apple did a poor design on them and does not have the ball to admit that they should of put them in a more protected area of the phone like other makers do. Water/ humidity can easily effect the head phone jack and plugging in the head phones is going to shove the little water on there down to the sensor. That over time adds up and can cause problems.

if they did it like other manufactures then when it went off there really would not be an argument

 

[9822679]

Environmental requirements

* Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F
(0° to 35° C)
* Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F
(-20° to 45° C)
* Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
* Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)

Off apple own web page and let me tell you how much crap that list is.

Any coastal city will have humidity that goes over that amount they will quite often hit 100% A bathroom during a shower will hit 100%.

Tempture go city in the south where the temp regularly breaking a 100. Hell last summer the temp hit 107 in the shade where I live and over a black top parking lot I seen it measured as high as 120 where i was standing. Those are regular events and lets face it the iPhone or any cell phone is going to have to operate in that environment at some point in time.

I have NEVER seen any other cell phone has as mean false water complaints as the iphone. I tend to believe apple did a poor design on them and does not have the ball to admit that they should of put them in a more protected area of the phone like other makers do. Water/ humidity can easily effect the head phone jack and plugging in the head phones is going to shove the little water on there down to the sensor. That over time adds up and can cause problems.

if they did it like other manufactures then when it went off there really would not be an argument

Oh stop whining and moaning
They clearly state the operation specifications, don't buy the phone if you don't agree with them

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Oh stop whining and moaning
They clearly state the operation specifications, don't buy the phone if you don't agree with them

from last month

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-10214153-233.html

no other phone is getting this much media attention over false postives of the water sensor. Hell pulled from the article. "Apple employees are stating sweaty palms are causing it" if sweaty palms are some how destroying the iPhone then apple makes PISS POOR products that CLEARLY can not stand up in normal operating condition.

More the case apple screwed up on the water sensors and put them in a very poor spot and does not want to admit it. Plus claiming false positives on the water sensor = more money for them. The bold part puts out apple lack of motivation why they will not fix it. They do not care they have this great image but simple truth to the matter is apple make the matter sensor a poor design.

 

[9822679]

from last month

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-10214153-233.html

no other phone is getting this much media attention over false postives of the water sensor.

oh wow so you have a few people complaining and now its a big issues


look apple had to place the sensors in the earphone and data plug inputs, because those are the only two openings to the phone

I'm tired of people moaning about this. Yes if the phone had a replaceable battery this would all be a different story ( the sensor would be by the battery) , but since the iPhone is pretty much a sealed unit, there are only two places where water can get in.

How can people keep shouting

ZOMG I NEVER GOT MY SENSOR WET !!

only to later claim they

- Live in an area with high humidity
- Use phone in the rain
- Use phone with sweaty hands
- Use phone in shower
- etc

all those things have the potential chance of making the sensor go off

TOUGH

This is a fragile piece of technology, treat it that way

"I am outdoors all the time, my phone should be equally rugged"

yes because we all want the next iPhone to look like the Otterbox

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

There are 4 of them. 1 in the headphone jack, 1 behind the upper right portion of the screen, 1 in the lower left portion of the screen and the best one is in the jack on the bottom. If you set your phone in a car cup holder with the slightest bit of moisture this sensor will change color and void your warranty. Very sneaky. They can "prove" you submerged your phone and you cannot "prove" that you did not. Awesome.

Can you not prove it's a false positive (faulty sensor) by showing that only one sensor got set off, when all 4 sensors would have been triggered if it were actually submerged in water?

 

[con500]

oh wow so you have a few people complaining and now its a big issues


look apple had to place the sensors in the earphone and data plug inputs, because those are the only two openings to the phone

I'm tired of people moaning about this. Yes if the phone had a replaceable battery this would all be a different story ( the sensor would be by the battery) , but since the iPhone is pretty much a sealed unit, there are only two places where water can get in.

How can people keep shouting

ZOMG I NEVER GOT MY SENSOR WET !!

only to later claim they

- Live in an area with high humidity
- Use phone in the rain
- Use phone with sweaty hands
- Use phone in shower
- etc

all those things have the potential chance of making the sensor go off

TOUGH

This is a fragile piece of technology, treat it that way

"I am outdoors all the time, my phone should be equally rugged"

yes because we all want the next iPhone to look like the Otterbox

Seasons create humidity
Rain will fall
Palms do get clammy
Last point is just askin for trouble if anyone is that niave to use iphone in shower....Condensation cools and will form droplets.

Wow who new we would have to make such informed decisions and considerations about making/recieving a phone call

"Sorry joe, cant speak now me paws are a bit sweaty"

 

[andreab35]

^ Uh oh, this got me thinking!

I place my phone to listen to music right on the window sill when I take a shower, and of course the room is going to be filled with moisture from hot water!
I was planning one day to take my iPhone in to have it checked out for a loose silent switch. But these days, I know those geniuses check out the water sensor. I'm afraid that the water sensor may be activated from sitting on the sill, when I didn't even douse the iPhone in water. I don't want to be one of those people who come in "having a problem with the silent switch" when they really had their iPhone go for a swim instead to get a replacement. That is totally not my intention.

You think I'll have trouble?

 

[con500]

^ Uh oh, this got me thinking!

I place my phone to listen to music right on the window sill when I take a shower, and of course the room is going to be filled with moisture from hot water!
I was planning one day to take my iPhone in to have it checked out for a loose silent switch. But these days, I know those geniuses check out the water sensor. I'm afraid that the water sensor may be activated from sitting on the sill, when I didn't even douse the iPhone in water. I don't want to be one of those people who come in "having a problem with the silent switch" when they really had their iPhone go for a swim instead to get a replacement. That is totally not my intention.

You think I'll have trouble?

Theres a good chance you may not have activated the sensors i think if you shine a light in the ports you will be able to see if they have turned pink. Might be worth having a look before you see genius.

Just a thought...Iv heard of people who put their phone in a Ziplock bag if they use the ipod while theyr showering. dont know how practical this is but i cant see it doing harm

 

[Rodimus Prime]

oh wow so you have a few people complaining and now its a big issues ...

Problem still comes down to the fact that there are a lot more complaints about apple false postie than other phones. I have not seen anything blow up on other phones about this JUST the iPhone. This leads me to believe something is wrong with the water sensor on apple products.

Also the other thing to look at which I do not have the numbers for is the apple claiming water damage on the iPhone is that higher when compared to other phones. if so then something is wrong with apple.

 

[danielw1968]

Well

Dr. Cabrera...

 

[danielw1968]

Dr. cabrera

I don't understand your intentions. I did not take a shower with my iphone!
You do not know anything about me. I have been a certified PPA photographer for over 20 years. I am a huge Apple supporter. Even great company's have problems, it is how they handle them that sets them apart. I NEVER read in my manual that you insisted that i read.... THAT EVEN IF I DON'T GET MY SENSOR WET, IT MAY STILL VOID MY WARRANTY... CAN YOU SHOW ME WHERE THIS IS??? I DID NOT THINK SO!
Is this normal to have such accusations thrown around on these blogs? I am an honest business man, I am NOT trying to scam apple, I just want a fair deal. Please, I would love for them to look further into my phone to prove I had NO water damage.
I also do not want (nor do I plan) to switch to dell, as someone said... you are correct, Apple is far superior! I have for many years used apple 100% in my business.
I DO feel there is a major problem going on with these phones that needs to addressed... Is my phone only good if used inside with the a/c between 68-72? I understand it is a fragile piece of equipment (this is one reason i never got it wet) BUT it is also a cell phone, I would like to be able to use it as a cell phone.
Apple needs to admit to the problem! I am sure that there are plenty of people who have ruined their phones, and apple should NOT be responsible for careless actions, BUT they should also have a little common sense. NOT everyone is a LIAR AND A CROOK!
Apple please keep your most loyal customers happy, at least try..... I would put up $1,000.00 to bet that if my phone had been inspected (more than a little light) they would see I was telling the truth!

 

[dsharits]

Here's a little rule of thumb: don't take your phone anywhere you wouldn't take your laptop. Would you use your laptop in the rain? No. Would you use your laptop in the shower? No. Would you use your laptop with excessively sweaty hands? No.

Bottom line, don't be stupid.

 

[sg.hill]

Here's a little rule of thumb: don't take your phone anywhere you wouldn't take your laptop. Would you use your laptop in the rain? No. Would you use your laptop in the shower? No. Would you use your laptop with excessively sweaty hands? No.

Bottom line, don't be stupid.

There is a serious problem with the apparent consensus that this phone cannot be used in the rain. If I'm lost somewhere, I'm pulling out my iPhone and checking Google Maps regardless of whether or not it's raining. It's arguably more important that apps like this work when it's raining. I've never considered opening my laptop in the rain, nor have I ever thought I shouldn't answer my phone in the rain.

In the shower? No one would debate that. With excessively sweaty hands? I guess you'd have to define excessively. Personally, I have never had a problem entering workout info on my computer or iPhone directly afterward and thus I fully expect sweaty hands to not destroy a laptop or phone.

If you've ever tried to install a PhantomSkinz screen protector (and others?), they require that you soak the film in warm water. You then take the dripping film and lay it on the face of the iPhone, pushing the water out toward the sides of the phone and allowing the film to adhere. Granted they don't make any promises users will not void their own warranties, but it's hard to believe there would be so many similar skins on the market if everyone who let water touch their phones had a voided warranty.

Has anyone suggested the possibility of these sensor problems being localized to a particular batch of iPhones? It sounds a lot like those of you with problems have extremely touchy phones.

 

[dsharits]

You miss the entire point. The iPhone is not just a regular phone, so don't treat it like one. Treat it as you would your laptop.