As the ultimate fitness companion, it’s natural to want to use your Apple Watch for tracking workouts, swimming, or other water activities. But before you do, you might wonder if your Apple Watch can handle such activities.
While Apple Watches are designed to be water resistant, they are not waterproof. It’s important to understand what this means before you jump into a pool with it. Even wearing your watch in the shower could damage it.
Here’s everything you need to know about your Apple Watch’s water resistance and the activities you can perform having it on your wrist.
What does water resistance mean on an Apple Watch?
The term water resistance means your Apple Watch can withstand exposure to water under specific conditions but is not entirely waterproof. A completely waterproof device would be unaffected by water in almost all situations. However, your Apple Watch is not waterproof. Instead, it has varying levels of water resistance depending on the model.
Apple uses water resistance ratings to indicate how much water exposure a watch can handle. All Apple Watch models from Series 2 onward are rated WR50, meaning they can withstand submersion in water up to 50 meters deep. As a result, they are suitable for swimming in pools or shallow water. However, activities involving high-pressure water, such as diving, water skiing, or showers, can compromise the watch’s seals over time.
The Apple Watch Ultra is submersible up to 100 meters deep, which makes it suitable for more intense water activities such as scuba diving up to 130 feet (40 meters), showering, and water skiing. On the other hand, the oldest Apple Watch Series 1 and 1st Generation are only splash resistant. As such, they should not be used for swimming or other water activities.
It’s important to remember that water resistance is not a permanent feature. Your watch can become less water-resistant over time due to wear and tear or exposure to soaps, chemicals, and high temperatures.
What are the different Apple Watch water resistance levels?
The table below summarizes the water resistance levels of different Apple Watch models.
| Apple Watch Model | Water Resistance Specification |
| Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch (1st Generation) | IPX7 (splash-proof) |
| Apple Watch Series 2 and later | 50 meters |
| Apple Watch Ultra and later | 100 meters |
Remember that along with your watch, you also have to consider your watch band’s water resistance. Most sports bands are water resistant, but other kinds may not be. According to Apple, the Magnetic Link, Modern Buckle (with FineWoven), Leather Link, Modern Buckle (with leather), Milanese Loop, Link Bracelet, and Hermès leather and knit bands are not water resistant.
Moreover, you should not expose your Apple Watch to water for more than 30 minutes at a time.
What activities are safe with an Apple Watch?
As discussed above, no Apple Watch is fully waterproof. But all models are designed to withstand certain water-based activities. Let’s look at what’s safe and unsafe for your Apple Watch.
Activities safe to perform:
- Washing hands and exposure to rain: All Apple Watch models can handle splashes from daily activities like washing hands or getting caught in the rain.
- Sweat and light moisture: Whether you’re working out or jogging in humid weather, your watch is safe from sweat.
- Swimming (Series 2 and later): Apple Watch Series 2 and newer models have a WR50 rating, making them safe for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool.
- Diving and high-impact water sports (Ultra models only): The Apple Watch Ultra is designed for more intense water exposure, including scuba diving up to 40 meters and activities like water skiing.
Activities to avoid:
- Showering and bathing: Exposure to soap, shampoo, and hot water can damage the seals of your watch and reduce its water resistance over time.
- Sauna or steam room use: High temperatures can degrade the watch’s water-resistant seal.
- High-pressure water exposure: Jet sprays, such as those from water sports, can force water into areas that aren’t meant to be submerged.
- Deep-sea diving: Regular Apple Watch models are not designed for deep-water pressure.
To take care of your Apple Watch, use it according to its water resistance rating and avoid exposing it to water for more than 30 minutes at a time.
Protect your Apple Watch using the Water Lock feature
Apple Watch’s Water Lock feature helps protect your device when submerged in water. It’s available on Series 2 and later Apple Watch models.
Water Lock turns on automatically when you select a water-based activity on your watch. It disables the touchscreen to prevent accidental touches, ensuring that water droplets don’t trigger unintended actions. Alternatively, you can also toggle it on from the Control Center.
Once you’re done with your water activity, you have to rotate the Digital Crown to turn off Water Lock. This action reactivates the screen and also triggers a built-in speaker mechanism that ejects any trapped water from the watch. The expelled water droplets help prevent moisture buildup, which could otherwise affect the speaker’s performance.
Tips to maintain water resistance on your Apple Watch
Your Apple Watch is designed to be water resistant, but its protection can weaken over time due to wear and tear. To keep your device as water-resistant as possible, Apple suggests the following tips:
- Avoid exposure to soaps and chemicals: Substances like soap, shampoo, lotions, and sunscreen can degrade the watch’s water seals.
- Rinse with fresh water after swimming: If you’ve been in a pool or the ocean, rinse your watch with clean water and dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth.
- Keep it away from high temperatures: Avoid wearing your watch in saunas, steam rooms, or hot showers, as heat can weaken its water-resistant properties.
- Don’t press buttons underwater: This can force water into areas that aren’t designed for submersion.
- Check for signs of damage: Cracks, dents, or a deteriorating seal can reduce water resistance, so inspect your watch regularly.
Taking these precautions will help maintain your Apple Watch’s water resistance and keep it functioning well.
Signing off
Remember that your Apple Watch is water resistant and not waterproof. Follow the precautions in the guide to keep your device safe from water damage while still making the most of its capabilities.
If you’ve got any further questions about your Apple Watch’s water resistance, let us know in the comments below, and we’ll be happy to help.
FAQs
Apple Watch swimming capabilities depend on the model. The oldest Series 1 and 1st Generation watches are only splash proof and not suitable for swimming. Apple Watch Series 2 and later can be exposed to water up to 50 meters while the Apple Watch Ultra can withstand up to 100 meters. Only the Apple Watch Ultra should be used for activities like water skiing or scuba diving.
No Apple Watch should be exposed to water for more than 30 minutes at a time.
Signs of water damage on an Apple Watch include a foggy display, unresponsive touchscreen, muffled or distorted speaker sound, and unexpected performance issues like overheating or rapid battery drain.
If you notice any signs of water damage, dry your watch thoroughly and contact Apple Support for further assistance.
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