What Apple Watches Are Waterproof? [Solved!]

The Apple Watch is undoubtedly one of the hottest gadgets of the moment. The devices are being designed to perform a variety of tasks, from reading and displaying your biometric data (such as your blood pressure and heart rate) to sending and receiving text messages. You can even wear the newer models while swimming.

Are Apple Watches waterproof or just water-resistant?

Buying a new Apple Watch might not make you aware that there is a difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Aside from that, who wants to spend hundreds of dollars on a new piece of technology only to have it fail after a dip in the lake or a swim in the pool?

You are unfortunately out of luck if you own an Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, or Apple Watch 1. These models are only splash-resistant. Following that, everything is water resistant for up to 50 meters (160.04 feet if you’re tall). Just remember not to confuse “waterproof” and “water-resistant”, or else you could have to completely replace your watch.

Even though Apple Watches are built to be durable, they are not infallible. It is possible for leaks to occur as a result of wear and tear of the water-resistant components. You’ll have a busted watch on your hands – er, well, on your wrist – whenever water gets past these barriers. No one wants that, do they?

When properly cared for and maintained, the Apple Watch will become your best fitness companion and companion on fun outdoor adventures.

Which Apple Watch models are waterproof?

Water-resistant watches are those that are rated as Apple Watch 2 or later. This watch is rated WR50, which means it can be submerged in up to 50 meters of water. Apple Watch 1 Series, Apple Watch Sport, and the original Apple Watch are splash-resistant only. Submerging them in water would result in electrical failure.

How does the phrase “waterproof” differ from “water-resistant” when it comes to getting wet with the Apple Watch? Can the Apple Watch handle high impact activities? What can be done if your watch is indeed damaged by water? Continue reading to find out.

What the Difference Is Between Being Waterproof and Water-Resistant

If you want to go swimming with the Apple Watch Series 5, you might want to know whether it’s waterproof. The device can be used in a pool or at a beach under shallow enough water, but you cannot submerge it more than 50 metres. With the increased pressure at lower depths, the water-resistant components may wear out.

Due to their design, these watches can’t withstand high pressures or impacts, so you’ll need to be careful. You could fry your expensive new watch if water gets in since the components are not waterproof.

Can my Apple Watch withstand a lot of water?

If you are wondering whether the Apple Watch 3 series is waterproof, the answer is quite clearly “No.” However, any Apple Watch model that has been made subsequent to the Apple Watch 1 Series is WR50 water-resistant. It is not recommended to submerge the Apple Watch 1 or earlier models. These watches are only resistant to minor splashes.

It is fine to swim in a shallow lake or in a pool. It is recommended that you take the watch off before participating in any high impact water sports (such as jet skiing), since an impact with the surface of the water at a high speed could damage the watch. If you don’t want to dive, you could go snorkelling in shallow water instead.

Is my Apple Watch waterproof in the shower?

Apple Watches can be worn in the shower, but proceed with caution. Designed to resist splashes from the water itself, they could be damaged by anything containing chemicals (such as body wash, soap, and shampoo).

It is known that they degrade the water seals, which allows water to enter the watch and cause damage to its components. Damage to an acoustic membrane or water seal would be difficult to remedy and exposing it to water would be unwise.

When swimming in the pool, can I wear my Apple Watch?

Swimmers can wear their Apple Watches while in the pool. The watch should always be rinsed with clean, fresh water after swimming in the pool and then gently dried with a towel so that whatever chemicals are used to maintain the pH balance in the pool will not linger on its surface. Generally speaking, it is a good practice to wipe the watch down after it has been exposed to water.

Is it possible to wear my Apple Watch while scuba diving?

When scuba diving, your Apple Watch might not be the best choice. You could fall below 50 metres without realising it, so Apple doesn’t recommend it. Apple Watch 2 and newer are limited to 50 metres.

Wouldn’t it be fun to snorkel along a coral reef? Sure. Any activity that takes you below the surface of the water is generally a bad idea.

Is my watch safe to wear while water skiing?

Wearing your Apple Watch while participating in high impact water sports is not recommended. You could cause permanent damage to the internal electronic components if the force of impact from hitting the water would be sufficient to break the water-resistant components. Water skiing and jet skiing are not recommended activities for wearing the watch.

What happens if I sustain water damage to my Apple Watch?

Water damage can be remedied to a certain extent. Consider disassembling the unit and cleaning it out with 91% isopropyl alcohol if you suspect that a minor amount of water damage has occurred. Please allow it to completely dry before reassembling.

Major water damage can, however, cause the watch to malfunction. If your watch is still under warranty, you should contact Apple to ascertain what is covered by your warranty. You will be able to gain a better understanding of the potential repair costs.

Closing Thoughts

The Apple Watch is not waterproof. Its materials are, instead, water-resistant. You can submerge the Apple Watch 2 and newer in up to 50 meters of water, but does that mean that you should?

Treat your Apple Watch with care, and it will likely last a long time. Treat it poorly and expose it to potential water damage. The Apple Watch is built to last, and it can join you on some underwater excursions.