This app can apparently test your phone’s water resistance

Water-resistance used to be a niche feature on smartphones, generally relegated to Sony devices and rugged phones. Fast-forward to 2021 and it’s not uncommon to find IP ratings on a ton of flagship phones, with even mid-range devices getting in on the action.

How can you be sure whether your phone is still water-resistant though? Well, that’s where an app called Water Resistance Tester comes in (h/t: Android Police). It all sounds dubious at first, but it actually seems legitimate upon closer inspection.

The app, by developer Ray W, uses your phone’s barometer to measure pressure levels. The actual process of using the app is pretty straightforward too, as it first calibrates itself for a few seconds. You’ll then be prompted to firmly press two thumbs on designated areas of the screen.

Related: The best water-resistant phones you can buy in 2021

Once you’ve pressed your thumbs on the phone’s display, you should either get confirmation that the water-resistance seals are intact (if you’ve got a water resistant phone) or a message noting that your phone isn’t water-resistant and that you should press harder on your screen. 

I tried this on my personal device (Mate 20 Pro) and it noted that my phone was no longer water-resistant. For what it’s worth, the phone fell several years ago and I noticed that the display and frame came apart ever so slightly. So it’s entirely possible that my phone is no longer adequately sealed. We also tested this on the Google Pixel 4 and the Vivo X60 Pro Plus, confirming water resistance and the lack of a barometer respectively.

The app is available as a free download from the Play Store via the button below, although you can donate some cash to remove ads. We still recommend you use this app with a pinch of salt, as the last thing we want is for users to potentially get a false sense of security and wind up with a water-damaged phone.