Oh, the pretty Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch first came out on the market in April 2015. Its flexible design has helped it gain popularity.
The Apple Watch can do just about anything you need it to do. It can help you keep track of your health and wellness or be your companion when you can’t be near your iPhone.
And if you buy a newer Apple Watch, you can put it in water up to 50 metres deep (164 feet for those who don’t use the Metric system).
Yes, you can take your Apple Watch Series 2 or later with you on a casual dive just off the coast.
But can you swim with the Apple Watch? Which ones, if so?
Which Apple Watch can be worn in the water?
No Apple Watch can get wet. But the Apple Watch Series 2 and later models have a water resistance rating of WR50, which means they can be submerged in up to 50 metres of water. Even though these watches are made to be strong, there are still some things they can’t handle.
What does an Apple Watch let you do? How hard can the water blast be?
Should you wear it when you shower or when you go to the sauna?
What could go wrong with these watches?
Learn more about the Apple Watch and how it can handle water by reading on.
Which series of Apple Watch are WR50?
Not every Apple Watch on the market has a rating of WR50.
Under IEC standard 60529.1, the Apple Watch Series 1 and the first-generation Apple Watch have an IPX7 rating for water resistance.
IPX7 means that the watch can be submerged for 30 minutes in up to 1 metre of water.
After those watches came out, Apple realised they needed to do better when it came to keeping water out.
So, all Apple Watches from Series 2 and later are rated WR50.
What’s the difference between waterproof and water-resistant?
When something is water-resistant, it means that it can, to some extent, keep water away.
After a certain amount of time or force, the materials won’t be able to handle it anymore, and water will soak or seep into the device.
If something is waterproof, that means that water can’t get through it.
Water can’t get through some things.
For example, if you want to build a deck, you have to put a waterproof finish on it. Otherwise, rain and snow will get into the wood and ruin it over time.
What Your Apple Watch Can Do
So, what can you do with your Apple Watch, at least if you have a Series 2 or later model? You can do a lot with them, it turns out.
If you have an Apple Watch Series 1 or the first generation, it can handle splashes and sweat, but you won’t want to wear it in the pool because it shouldn’t be submerged for a long time.
Here are some things you can do with a Series 2 or later:
- You can use them to dive in water up to 50 metres deep in a pool or the ocean.
- In the shower, but don’t let any liquid chemicals from soap, body wash, lotion, shampoo, or conditioner get on the Apple Watch.
- While exercising at the gym or jogging in the rain.
Things you shouldn’t do with your Apple Watch
What can’t you do with a Series 2 or newer Apple Watch? There are also some tips from Apple.
You shouldn’t do the following:
- Using the Apple Watch for deep-sea or scuba diving.
- Using the watch for water sports with a lot of force (like jet skiing).
- Put on the Watch while taking a shower with chemicals like soap, lotion, body wash, or anything else.
- In the steam room or sauna.
- Putting the Apple Watch in contact with things like solvents, acids, or foods that are acidic, perfume, detergent, lotion, sunscreen, insect repellent, or hair dye.
- Dropping the Watch on purpose or letting it get hit hard in any way.
What to do if water damage is done
Apple is well aware that accidents can happen.
Because of this, you should get AppleCare+ to cover any damage you might do by accident.
Apple Watch and Apple Watch Nike all come with a one-year limited warranty that covers hardware repairs. You also get free support from Apple for up to 90 days.
With AppleCare+, your coverage is extended and you can get two repairs for damage caused by accidents every year.
There is a service fee, but it could save you money if you get water damage by accident.
If you do get some water damage, do not panic.
If you get a little bit of water damage, you need to wipe it off quickly with a soft cloth that doesn’t have any lint.
Do not use heat, compressed air, or sprays of any kind to dry off the watch. All of these things can make the watch worse.
When to get help from Apple
If your Apple Watch breaks and you don’t know how to fix it, call Apple Support.
If there is a lot of water damage or damage from a drop, it might be hard to fix or you might need to get a new one.
If this seems to be the case, use your AppleCare+ warranty to its fullest.
Closing Thoughts
The Apple Watch was developed to be very long-lasting and resistant to wear and tear.
And at the pricing point, you should be expecting just that as a minimum standard.
However, as no watch is completely bulletproof, you will still need to exercise caution while wearing your Apple Watch.
If you pay attention to Apple’s suggestions, you should be able to continue to enjoy using your watch for many years to come.
They have a wide range of applications and may be of use in monitoring your health and fitness.
Remember to take them off before you go in the shower or get on your jet skip
