iPhone 12 emerges from 3-Month submersion in California river, found in perfect working condition

A diver uncovered an iPhone during the process of cleaning the Stanislaus River. Following the extraction, the individual, after allowing the phone to undergo a drying process, powered on the device by connecting it to a charger.  

Discussions revolving around the resilience of smartphones, particularly iPhones, frequently captivate the attention of the younger generation, often sparking debates. The internet is inundated with videos assessing the durability of various smartphone brands, including iPhones. Recently, a noteworthy incident in the United States has gained viral attention, resembling the rapid spread of wildfire online. During a river cleanup, a diver stumbled upon an Apple iPhone entwined in algae. Astonishingly, the iPhone exhibited flawless functionality despite being submerged for approximately three months in the Stanislaus River in Northern California.

According to Apple Insider, the diver named Lee discovered the algae-covered iPhone 12 in November. Following the cleaning process, Lee allowed the phone to air-dry for several days. To his surprise, upon connecting a charger and attempting to power it on after a few days, the phone responded, turning on seamlessly.

Remarkably, the iPhone 12 is equipped with an IP68 rating, with Apple asserting that it can endure submersion in 6-meter deep water for up to 30 minutes. However, this particular phone defied expectations as it remained submerged in the river, covered in algae, for over three months. Speaking to Apple Insider, Lee recounted the astonishing tale, detailing how he successfully managed to activate the smartphone.

Lee initially found the iPhone on November 10 during the Stanislaus River cleanup. Post-drying, connecting the iPhone to a charger resulted in its unexpected revival. Lee disclosed that the phone lacked a passcode or facial recognition, facilitating easy access to the stored data.

In conversation with Apple Insider, the diver shared that the most recent video recorded by the phone was on the river, dated September 4. This revelation indicated that the phone had spent three months submerged in the river. Lee is currently attempting to contact the phone's owner using the information available in the device's contact list.

Interestingly, this is not the first instance where smartphones have demonstrated their remarkable durability. In a similar incident in 2022, a man in the United Kingdom accidentally dropped his smartphone into a river, only to be pleasantly surprised when the device was retrieved in working condition after nearly a year underwater. Miguel Pacheco, a Facebook user, reported finding an iPhone while canoeing in the Wye River. After the phone dried, he charged it and discovered that it was still operational.

In a post, Pacheco revealed that the screensaver on the phone displayed a photo of a couple with a date stamp of August 13. Determining the identity of the couple, he successfully located them and returned the phone.