Does a Waterproof Phone Case Float?

By Henrik Andersson, founder of Nordic Flash. Published November 12, 2026

Swimmer holding a phone in a waterproof case attached to a red Nordic Flash float

Not always. A waterproof phone case or pouch is built to keep water out, and a waterproof case is not always a floating phone case: whether it floats depends on the case and the phone inside it. If you want to keep a phone from sinking, check what your case maker states, test the empty case, and attach a phone float or wear a camera float 1-pack.

Key takeaways

"Waterproof" and "floats" are two different claims. Look for both on the case.
Phone weights vary a lot; Apple lists 177 g to 233 g for the iPhone 17 range before a case.
Test the case empty, never with the phone inside.
A float or camera float 1-pack is your backup if the phone slips out of your hand.

What kind of phone setup do you have?

Choose oneA waterproof case with no lanyard loop or holeA waterproof case with a loop, and I have not weighed it yetA phone and case that weigh more than 200 gA phone and case that weigh 200 g or less

The float has nothing to clip to

The cord needs a lanyard loop or hole in the case. A sealed case with no loop will not take the float. Switch to a case that has one, then weigh the phone in that case.

Weigh the phone in its case first

Apple lists the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 233 g without a case, already over one float's 7 oz (200 g) rating. Other phones differ, and the case adds weight. Use a kitchen scale, then decide between one float and both floats from the 2-pack.

How to weigh your setup

One float is not enough on its own

If the phone in its case weighs more than 7 oz (200 g), connect both floats from the 2-pack and test the setup in shallow water. We do not publish a combined rating for two connected floats.

Camera float 2-pack

One float's rating covers this weight

If the phone in its case is at or under 7 oz (200 g), one float's rating covers it. The camera float 1-pack is made for a phone pouch or small camera. Still test the empty case, then the full setup, in shallow water.

Camera float 1-pack

A phone in a waterproof case under the water, with an arrow showing that it can sink.

By the numbers

Apple lists the iPhone 17 at 177 g (6.24 oz) (Apple (opens in a new tab)).
Apple lists the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 233 g (8.22 oz) before any case (Apple (opens in a new tab)).
Apple rates the iPhone 17 Pro models IP68, to a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes, which is a water-resistance rating, not a floating claim (Apple, iPhone 17 Pro specs (opens in a new tab)).

Journalists and writers may use these figures with credit and a link back to this page. Questions: [email protected].

Why don't most waterproof cases float?

A case is designed to seal. Floating takes enough trapped air, or a float, to hold up the phone's weight, and a case built to seal tightly may not have that. Whether a particular case floats is something only its maker can tell you, so read the packaging or listing. If it doesn't say it floats, plan as if it sinks.

An empty waterproof case in a test, with no phone inside.

How can you test your case without risking the phone?

Close the empty case the way you would with the phone inside.
Put it in a sink or bucket and check for bubbles or water inside.
To see whether it could float with the phone, add something of roughly the same weight inside, like a folded cloth around a few coins, instead of the phone.
If it sinks, or sits very low, it needs a float.

Never test with the phone inside. The point is to find problems before the phone is at risk.

How heavy is your phone in its case?

This is the step to get right. A float is rated for a certain weight, and the phone plus case has to stay under it. Each Nordic Flash float is made to float up to 7 oz (200 g).

Phone (Apple's figure, no case)	Weight	Compared with one float's rating
iPhone 17	177 g	Under 7 oz (200 g), no case
iPhone 17 Pro Max	233 g	Over 7 oz (200 g), even before a case

Weigh your own phone in its case on a kitchen scale. The weight capacity guide has a worksheet.

If the phone and case together weigh more than one float's rating, 7 oz (200 g), don't rely on a single float. We don't publish a combined rating for two connected floats.

A foam float at the surface attached to a phone in a waterproof case.

What can you attach to a waterproof case?

If your case has a lanyard loop or hole, you have two options:

Option	How it attaches	Best when
Camera float 1-pack	One float on an adjustable strap on your wrist, with the pouch or case attached	One phone, one wrist, while you swim, kayak or paddleboard
Camera float 2-pack	Two floats worn on the wrist; each cord goes through the case's lanyard loop	A case with a lanyard loop, or when you want to connect both floats to one device for added security

The camera float 1-pack works with waterproof phone pouches, and the 2-pack floats work with phone cases that have a lanyard loop. Our hand straps are lanyards for land days; they are not floats.

To set up a float, see how to attach a float. The same idea applies: the cord goes through a secure loop, and you test before you rely on it.

Camera float 2-pack or 1-pack?

Both are worn on the wrist with the phone attached. Choose the camera float 1-pack for one simple setup with a waterproof pouch. Choose the 2-pack for a case with a lanyard loop, or to connect both floats to one phone for added security. Either way, weigh the phone in its case first.

Gear for this

Frequently asked questions

Do waterproof phone cases float?

Some do and many don't. Check what the case maker says, and if it doesn't say it floats, plan as if it sinks.

Do waterproof phone pouches float?

Many don't. A pouch can be waterproof and still sink once a phone is inside. Check the pouch maker's spec, weigh the phone in the pouch, and add a camera float if you are near water.

Does a waterproof phone float on its own?

Don't count on it. Water-resistance ratings such as IP68 describe how deep a phone can go without water getting in, not whether it floats.

Will a Nordic Flash float hold my phone?

It depends on the weight. Each float is made to float up to 7 oz (200 g) in total, so weigh the phone in its case. Apple lists the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 233 g before a case.

How do I test a waterproof case safely?

Test it empty in a sink or bucket, with something of similar weight inside instead of the phone. Never test with the phone in it.

What is the difference between the camera float 1-pack and the 2-pack?

Pack size, and what two floats let you do. Both are worn on the wrist. The 1-pack is one float on an adjustable strap. The 2-pack is two floats with quick-release cords, and you can connect both to one device for added security.