Apple’s MacBook USB-C port is set to gain the ability to detect liquids. IT specialist media outlet 9to5Mac reported on November 3rd that a system daemon capable of identifying exposure to liquids was discovered in macOS Sonoma 14.1.
The Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) inside Apple devices
Apple
Most Apple products are equipped with a Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI). It’s located inside charging ports and SIM slots, where liquids can infiltrate and be identified visually.
The LCI reacts when it comes into contact with water or a liquid containing water. The indicator is typically white or silver but turns red when it comes into contact with a liquid. The LCI does not react if changes in humidity and temperature are within the product’s environmental requirements.
The latest MacBooks also have an LCI to detect contact with liquids. It is located inside the charging port, which is prone to liquid infiltration.
The liquid detection feature already present in iPhones
In addition to the LCI, another feature on the device can detect liquids. Since iOS 10 in 2016, Apple has started to display a warning message to users when liquid is detected in the Lightning port. It prevents damage to the device by instructing users to remove the charging cable immediately. This feature is also supported on iPads and Apple Watches.
Liquid detection features are primarily found in smartphones. Although most smartphones these days support waterproofing, they can easily malfunction if moisture remains in the charging port, hence the need for a liquid detection feature.
Most laptops do not support liquid detection. Unlike smartphones, most laptops lack waterproofing.
However, Apple plans to add a liquid detection feature to MacBooks, similar to smartphones. A new system daemon in macOS, ‘liquid detection,’ detects liquids and collects data. It operates in the Mac background.
Why add this to the MacBook?
The reason for adding a new liquid detection feature to the USB-C port is speculated to be due to Apple’s repair warranty policy. Apple does not apply its one-year limited warranty or AppleCare Plus to Mac damage caused by liquid exposure. The cost of water damage repairs falls entirely on the user.
However, the LCI alone is somewhat inaccurate. Apple was once embroiled in a lawsuit over a past iPhone water damage warranty issue in 2010. The issue arose when Apple refused to provide free repairs based on the color change of the LCI. Consumers claimed the LCI color changed despite not dropping their iPhones in water. Apple ultimately lost the lawsuit due to the inaccuracy of this indicator.
Apple plans to double-check for liquid exposure using the USB-C port. However, whether it will notify users like iPhones or iPads is uncertain. Apple has not made any specific comments about the new feature, and various foreign media outlets, including IT specialist media Tom’s Guide, speculate that it may be a feature solely for data collection.
The liquid detection feature could be activated in areas with high humidity or during the rainy season. Tom’s Guide explained that the chance of an error message appearing is low, as MacBooks, unlike iPhones or Apple Watches, are not typically exposed to the outdoors.
It’s still unclear which devices will support this. It is unknown whether it will work on all MacBooks running the latest macOS Sonoma or only on MacBooks equipped with the latest M3 chip.
IT specialist media TechRadar predicts that it will only be supported on the latest MacBooks. Apple could add hardware configurations to the USB port to increase measurement accuracy.
The new MacBook Pro is equipped with the M3 chip
Recently, Apple held an October event to unveil its new MacBook Pro lineup. The latest M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips were applied. The MacBook Pro features a Liquid Retina XDR display 20% brighter than its predecessor, a built-in 1080p camera, a 6-speaker sound system, and more. Another notable feature is that it supports the same battery performance for up to 22 hours.
By. Kim Ha Young
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