Apple Patent Could Allow iPhones to be Used Underwater

Could your iPhone be your next underwater camera? Apple’s new patent nods to the tech giant’s plans not only to make iPhones and iPads submersible, but also make them function well underwater.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently issued the company a patent on a user interface that would make Apple products easier to use while submerged, essentially turning your phone into the most convenient underwater camera to use while swimming or snorkeling — no housing or waterproof case required.

iPhone models later than the iPhone 7 are water-resistant, so they can survive a few raindrops or a drop into a puddle. They all have at least an IP67 rating, which means they should be able to withstand being submerged at three feet for 30 minutes, and newer models, like the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, have an even higher depth rating.

However, this doesn’t mean that they should be submerged for that amount of time, as damage can still occur, especially if the phone is a few years old.

But Apple’s new "Underwater User Interface," US Patent No. 20200104021, shows signs that a completely waterproof version of the device may become available. And not only would the phone work underwater; when it’s in underwater mode, the phone’s interface would change to be less distracting, allowing you to focus on the few apps or functions you need and blocking out unnecessary notifications. This makes the phone safer for swimmers.

Overall, functionality would be improved to reduce the number of taps it takes to access different programs. This includes two dedicated buttons to turn on the camera and flashlight quickly. Users may be able to set those buttons to easily open other apps instead.

The patent application was filed in Q4 2018, and it is unknown when Apple will make these features available on devices.