Apple has become more lenient regarding its iPhone trade-in rules, now allowing customers to bring in iPhones with their liquid damage indicator tripped.

Up until now, Apple's trade-in program always rejected iPhones that had liquid damage, even if it was just a drop. If a device's "liquid contact indicator" was tripped, the device would be completely worthless, not eligible for trade-in under Apple's "Reuse and Recycle" program. According to Apple retail employees, this rule is about to change starting this week.

More specifically, Apple will start taking in iPhones even if they have their liquid contact indicator tripped, provided that it's not serious, according to a new report from Apple-centric publication 9to5Mac. The company will check for evidence of liquid build-up or corrosion and will not accept iPhones with serious water damage. That means that you may trade in your old iPhone even if it suffered a splash or two, but not if it took a bath.A `Q1

If Apple finds any evidence of liquid under the iPhone's display or any corrosion in the ports, the device will still be worthless as a trade-in, regardless of what the liquid damage indicator might look like.

The new rules now allow more customers to trade in their old iPhones, and could allow Apple to further boost Apple sales. The company's "Reuse and Recycle" program works by giving credit for customers to spend at Apple stores or the company's online store.

Keep in mind, however, that these changes regarding the iPhone's trade-in eligibility will only be valid in physical Apple stores. This means that the new policy allowing customers to bring in iPhones with their liquid contact indicator tripped will not be reflected in online trade-in values.

Apple launched its "Reuse and Recycle" program in the U.S. back in August, then extended the program's reach to include stores in the UK as well. The new policy changes will take effect both in the U.S. and the UK.

While the company may boost its iPhone sales due to this change in policy, customers will be the ones to benefit most. Instead of having their old iPhone worthless as a trade-in if the water contact indicator was tripped, now they will be able to get credit for it in physical Apple stores.