Have you ever wondered what that little water droplet icon on your Apple Watch is for? Or perhaps you've noticed your watch making strange beeping sounds after swimming? Welcome to the world of Apple Watch Water Lock "“ a clever feature designed to protect your valuable wearable from water damage.
As an Apple Watch owner, understanding how to use Water Lock properly can significantly extend the life of your device, especially if you're someone who loves aquatic activities or simply wants protection from everyday water exposure. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about this essential feature.
What Is Apple Watch Water Lock?
Water Lock is a dedicated feature available on Apple Watch Series 2 and later models that serves two primary purposes:
- Preventing accidental screen interactions while your watch is exposed to water
- Ejecting water from the speaker using sound vibrations after exposure
As XDA-Developers notes, "The primary purpose of Water Lock is to block touch input, preventing water droplets from accidentally pressing things on your Apple Watch's display. Additionally, when it's turned off Water Lock will play an audible tone that ejects water droplets from the speaker grills."
This ingenious system helps maintain your watch's functionality after water exposure, whether you're swimming laps, enjoying a beach day, or simply caught in unexpected rain.
Which Apple Watch Models Have Water Lock?
Water Lock is available on:
- Apple Watch Series 2
- Apple Watch Series 3
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Apple Watch Series 5
- Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Apple Watch Series 8
- Apple Watch Series 9
- Apple Watch SE (all generations)
- Apple Watch Ultra
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
The original Apple Watch (1st generation) and Series 1 do not have Water Lock, as they have limited water resistance compared to later models.
Understanding Apple Watch Water Resistance Ratings
Before diving into how to use Water Lock, it's important to understand the water resistance capabilities of different Apple Watch models:
Apple Watch Series 1 and Original (1st Gen)
- Water-resistance rating: IPX7 under IEC standard 60529
- Can withstand splashes and brief water exposure
- Not recommended for swimming or submersion
Apple Watch Series 2 through Series 9 and SE
- Water-resistance rating: 50 meters under ISO standard 22810:2010
- Suitable for swimming in pools and oceans
- Not suitable for high-velocity water activities (like water skiing) or deep submersion
Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2
- Water-resistance rating: 100 meters under ISO standard 22810:2010
- EN13319-compliant (for diving equipment)
- Suitable for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters
- Can be used for high-velocity water sports
- IP6X dust resistant
It's worth noting that water resistance isn't permanent and can deteriorate over time due to factors like drops, exposure to chemicals, and regular wear. That's why using Water Lock is recommended even if your watch is rated for water exposure.
How to Turn On Water Lock on Apple Watch
Activating Water Lock is simple, though the method varies slightly depending on your watchOS version:
For watchOS 10 and Later:
- Press the side button (not the Digital Crown) to open Control Center
- Find and tap the Water Lock button (water droplet icon)
- You'll see a small blue water droplet icon appear at the top of your watch face, indicating Water Lock is active
For watchOS 9 and Earlier:
- Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Control Center
- Find and tap the Water Lock button (water droplet icon)
- The Water Lock icon will appear at the top of the watch face
Once Water Lock is enabled, your watch screen will become unresponsive to touches, preventing accidental inputs while in water.
Automatic Water Lock Activation
Your Apple Watch is smart enough to activate Water Lock automatically in certain situations:
- When you begin a water-based workout in the Workout app (such as swimming or surfing)
- On Apple Watch Ultra models, when submerged to a depth of 10cm or lower
This automatic protection ensures you don't have to remember to activate the feature before every aquatic activity.
How to Turn Off Water Lock and Eject Water
After you're done with water exposure, you'll need to deactivate Water Lock and clear water from your Apple Watch:
- Press and hold the Digital Crown until you see "Unlocked" on the display (for watchOS 9 and later)
- For watchOS 8 and earlier, rotate the Digital Crown instead of pressing it
- Your watch will play a series of tones to eject water from the speaker
- You may see water droplets being expelled from the side of your watch"”this is normal and intended!
The sound vibrations effectively push out any trapped water from the speaker grills, helping to maintain audio quality and prevent internal damage.
When Should You Use Water Lock?
Water Lock is recommended for use in various situations:
Swimming
Whether you're doing laps in a pool or enjoying ocean waves, always activate Water Lock before getting in the water.
Showering
Though newer Apple Watch models can withstand showering, using Water Lock provides extra protection. However, Apple advises avoiding exposure to soap, shampoo, conditioners, lotions, and perfumes as these substances "could negatively affect water seals and acoustic membranes."
Water Sports
For regular Apple Watch models, avoid high-velocity water activities. For Apple Watch Ultra owners, your device can handle more extreme water sports, but Water Lock is still recommended.
Rainy Conditions
If you're running or working out in the rain, Water Lock can prevent errant screen taps from raindrops.
In the Classroom
Interestingly, some teachers have found an unexpected use for Water Lock"”protecting their watches from curious students who might poke at the screen during class.
What If I Forget to Turn On Water Lock?
If you accidentally expose your Apple Watch to water without activating Water Lock first, don't panic. The water resistance of your device doesn't depend on whether Water Lock is turned on or not. As iPhone Life explains, "According to Apple, the Apple Watch Series 2 or newer will remain equally water-resistant regardless of whether or not Water Lock is turned on."
However, it's still a good idea to manually activate and then deactivate Water Lock after water exposure to eject any water that might have entered the speaker. This helps maintain optimal performance of your device.
Apple Watch Water Care Tips
To maintain your Apple Watch's water resistance over time, follow these essential care tips:
- Rinse after swimming: If you've been in saltwater, chlorinated water, or any water with soap or chemicals, gently rinse your watch with fresh water afterward.
- Dry properly: After water exposure, wipe your Apple Watch with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. Don't use heat sources or compressed air to dry it.
- Avoid harmful substances: Keep your watch away from soapy water, perfume, solvents, detergent, acids, insect repellent, lotions, sunscreen, oil, and hair dye as these can degrade water seals.
- Check your band: Not all Apple Watch bands are water-resistant. Leather, stainless steel, and Hermès bands should be kept away from water.
- Avoid high pressure and heat: Don't expose your watch to high-pressure water, steam, or high temperatures (like in a sauna).
- Protect from impacts: Dropping your watch or subjecting it to strong impacts can damage the water-resistant seals.
- Remember water resistance diminishes: Over time, your watch's water protection will naturally decrease. Apple Watch cannot be resealed or rechecked for water resistance.
Troubleshooting Water Lock Issues
Can't Find Water Lock Icon
With watchOS 10, Apple changed how to access Control Center. If you can't find the Water Lock icon by swiping up, try pressing the side button once (not the Digital Crown). The Control Center will appear with the Water Lock icon available.
If you still can't find it, you may need to add it to your Control Center:
- Open Control Center by pressing the side button
- Scroll to the bottom and tap "Edit"
- Add the Water Lock icon if it's not already there
Speaker Sounds Muffled After Water Exposure
If your speaker sounds muffled even after using Water Lock to eject water, try these steps:
- Activate Water Lock again and then turn it off to run the water ejection tone sequence once more
- Place your watch speaker-side down on a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth to let any remaining water drain out
- Allow time for any trapped moisture to evaporate naturally
- Never use heat, compressed air, or inserting objects into the speaker to remove water
Water Lock Won't Turn Off
If you're having trouble turning off Water Lock:
- Make sure you're pressing and holding the Digital Crown long enough (for watchOS 9 and later)
- For watchOS 8 and earlier, remember to rotate the Digital Crown instead of pressing it
- If the problem persists, try restarting your Apple Watch
- As a last resort, you may need to force restart by holding both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously for at least 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo
Water Lock vs. General Water Resistance
It's important to understand that Water Lock and water resistance are two separate things:
- Water resistance refers to your watch's physical ability to prevent water from entering its internals
- Water Lock is a software feature that prevents accidental screen touches and helps clear water from the speaker
You don't need Water Lock for your watch to be water resistant, but using it provides extra protection and helps maintain your device's functionality after water exposure.
Creative Uses for Water Lock
Beyond its intended purpose, Apple Watch users have found some creative applications for Water Lock:
Child-Proofing
Parents have discovered that Water Lock is perfect for preventing children from accidentally accessing settings or apps when they're fascinated by the colorful watch display.
Workout Focus
Some users enable Water Lock during intense workouts (even dry ones) to prevent sweat or accidental bumps from interrupting their activity tracking.
Sleep Mode
Light sleepers who wear their watch overnight sometimes use Water Lock to prevent accidental screen activations when tossing and turning.
Presentation Safety
When giving presentations with animated hand gestures, enabling Water Lock prevents embarrassing accidental calls or alerts.
Conclusion
Apple Watch Water Lock is an ingenious feature that helps protect your valuable smartwatch from water damage while extending its usable life. Whether you're a dedicated swimmer, occasional shower-wearer, or just want protection from unexpected water exposure, understanding how to use Water Lock effectively is an essential skill for any Apple Watch owner.
Remember that water resistance isn't permanent, and proper care"”including regular use of Water Lock"”will help maintain your watch's protection against water over time. With the knowledge from this guide, you can confidently wear your Apple Watch in various water situations while keeping it safe and functional for years to come.
Do you use Water Lock regularly on your Apple Watch? Have you found any other creative applications for this feature? Share your experiences in the comments below!