Is your Mac broken after a moisture problem? Then Apple will know this from now on, thanks to the integration of new technology into the devices.

Apple computers can now detect whether the USB-C ports have come into contact with moisture. A small tool runs in the background of macOS Sonoma 14.1 that detects humidity signals.

iPhones have a similar function. Apple, for example, uses this to warn users to stop charging immediately, but that doesn’t appear to be its intention to integrate the technology into Macs. The tool simply collects data for analysis. That seems like a nice way of saying that this feature allows Apple to gather the arguments needed to deny a warranty repair because moisture damage isn’t covered.

Other sensors

The new feature isn’t the only tool Apple provides to detect whether a device has been exposed to moisture. Inside there are various components that change color when they come into contact with water or other moisture. However, to check this, a mechanic will need to take a look inside the device. By detecting moisture via the USB-C ports, possible exposure can also be monitored via software.

There is nothing wrong with the integration of the tool, but it is of course unpleasant that a manufacturer places more emphasis on detecting possible warranty violations than on the effective repairability of its devices.