Apple's warranty policy does not cover damage from liquids, even for its water-resistant devices such as iPhones, Apple Watches, and certain AirPods models. To identify liquid exposure, Apple employs various detection methods. In their latest Mac computers, Apple has introduced a system to detect liquid presence in USB-C ports. As reported by 9to5Mac, macOS Sonoma 14.1 features a new system component called “liquiddetectiond.” This tool is specifically designed to detect when a Mac has come into contact with liquids, particularly monitoring each USB-C port for any signs of liquid exposure.

The system, known as "Liquid Detection and Corrosion Mitigation Daemon," functions similarly to a feature in iPhones and iPads. In these devices, the system alerts users when liquid is detected in the connector, advising them to disconnect the charging cable to avoid damage. On Macs, this daemon appears to be focused more on gathering diagnostic data rather than providing direct alerts to users. It's speculated that Apple might use this data to help technicians determine whether a Mac qualifies for complimentary repairs under certain conditions.

In addition to this new digital detection method, Apple's laptops and some keyboards already include Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI). These indicators, placed strategically within the devices, change color upon contact with liquids, aiding in the assessment of liquid damage. The addition of a digital detector in USB-C ports is another step to ensure accurate diagnostics when evaluating liquid exposure in Macs.

Currently, it remains unclear if this new detection system is compatible with all Macs running the latest macOS version or if it is exclusive to Macs with the M3 chip, possibly due to additional hardware requirements.

https://9to5mac.com/2023/11/03/macs-liquids-detected-in-usb-c-ports/