"The Apple Watch is water and splash resistant, but not waterproof." This, by the way, is stated in their official description. What it really says, and what to do in cases where your Apple Watch gets wet in earnest.
To begin with, we note that even if the smart watch itself can survive a short-term contact with “moisture and splashes” without visible damage, then their leather strap will definitely not be able to. This axiom is well known to every owner of an ordinary wrist watch, as well as the consequences of wetting the leather of the strap. Because
Therefore, we just remind you: if the Apple Watch contacts with moisture in any form are somehow predicted, albeit in minimal quantities (even if it will be your own sweat on your own wrist), then it is better to spend money in advance on a nylon or rubber strap, or - on a metal bracelet (if the metal does not irritate your skin).
Regarding the Apple Watch itself, you also need to clarify something. The manufacturer writes that this smart watch " have an IPX7 waterproof rating according to IEC 60529". It sounds very dignified, as it were, especially if you are not at all interested in what kind of degree this is.
And if you google a little, it turns out that " The IPX7-rated device is protected against accidental immersion in water up to 1m for up to 30 minutes, but has not been tested for dust ingress«.
In other words, if you decide to soak a little in the bathroom (we are not talking about the shower yet, since immersion is not provided there), you forgot to take your Apple Watch off your hand, then under standard conditions (your bathroom is no deeper than 1 meter, the water temperature in it not higher than 35 degrees, the water is not very soapy, you will stay in this container for no longer than half an hour, etc.), then the device will most likely remain intact.
However, the user manual says that, firstly, " Submerging your Apple Watch in water is not recommended.", Secondly, " Water resistance is not a permanent state", and thirdly, " The following actions should be avoided as they may affect the water resistance of your Apple Watch:
- drop your Apple Watch or expose it to other factors;
- submerge your Apple Watch in water for an extended period of time;
- swim or bathe with Apple Watch;
- Exposing Apple Watch to pressurized or high-velocity water, such as while showering, water skiing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, etc.
- wear your Apple Watch in a sauna or steam room.»
So, let's sum up all this "theory". Means specially Apple watch better do not take with you not only to the bathroom, but also to shower. To avoid problems, so to speak.
Accidental contact with a small amount of moisture (splashes of water from a tap in the kitchen, for example) smart watches should survive, including contact with the natural moisture of the skin, which is inevitably produced during sports or just in hot weather.
YouTube, of course, has a lot of videos in which inquisitive citizens “test” their Apple Watch in the shower, in pools and other bodies of water. No one forbids you to conduct similar experiments with your smart watch, and besides, the desire for knowledge is a great thing.
However, we recall that the manufacturer advises to wipe wet Apple Watch " non-abrasive, lint-free cloth ". The longer the device remains wet, the higher the risk of damage. But this, you must understand, is for cases that can be classified as successful, that is, when the Apple Watch gets wet, but without consequences.
And what to do in a situation where, after contact with water, the smart watch does not turn on even after wiping it very carefully with the highest quality napkin or “non-abrasive cloth”?
The world practice of operating the Apple Watch suggests that a user who is “lucky” to such an extent has about two free options for further action, but good mood none of them are expected.
- first: wet, already wiped dry Apple Watch, which did not turn on, in such an off state can be placed for some time in a bag with the so-called silica gel, if one is at hand. Focus old, but sometimes works. True, it should be borne in mind that the Apple Watch is made in a waterproof case. That is, it is more difficult for liquid to get inside it, but if it has already got in, then it will also not be easy to “pull” it out of there. But trying is not torture.
- second: if the smart watch is still under warranty, then you can take it to the Apple Store where it was purchased and try to convince the staff there that you have not done anything that is not provided for by the rules for using the product. In the very, very ideal case, when they don’t ask, and you don’t say anything extra, then your affected Apple Watch in the Apple Store can be exchanged for new ones. But, again, there is a pretty high chance that you are far from the first to make such a complaint...
Apple Watch doesn't get wet??? How, how…
So apparently the water can affect the touch sensor on the Apple Watch
Craig Hockenberry lives in California, builds apps and websites, surfs and often swims in the ocean. He also wears an Apple Watch for several months and does not take it off even while swimming. Smart watches are still alive.
Craig shared his experience of using the Apple Watch in salt water as an activity tracker, and the experience turned out to be quite interesting. At a minimum, it proves that Apple has made a pretty strong smart watch with which you can not only wash your hands or take a shower, but also swim in the pool and in the sea. And now let's talk about everything in order.
Water specifications
Before starting to actively use the Apple Watch during their water activities, the enthusiast decided to study the specification IPX7, which corresponds to the device. Apple claims that smartwatches are not recommended to be submerged under water, and leather straps are basically not waterproof. In this case, the company is only partly right. Leather things really deteriorate quickly from water and you will have to change the strap almost every month if you swim with it. So physically active citizens should stop their choice on silicone models. But as for IPX7, the situation is somewhat different.
According to this specification, the gadget can be submerged to a depth of up to a meter for half an hour, and it must withstand such a test without negative consequences. Since the Apple Watch complies with IPX7, it means that the watch was tested in such, or even more severe conditions. Thus, according to the specification, you can safely immerse the accessory under water, and swim in the pool, in theory, too.
By the way, triathlete Ray Maker checked it all out. Moreover, he did not limit himself to only a half-hour swim, but also dived in the watch from the tower and even tested it with water pressure, simulating a dive to 40 meters. The clock survived, and to this day pleases the owner with uninterrupted operation.
In this case, Apple decided it was better to be "overdone" than "underdone", despite the negative response from people when they learned that the company does not recommend submerging the watch in water, let alone swimming with it. And this is the right decision. It is more pleasant to know that your gadget can do a little more than to be disappointed after the manufacturer's loud advertising statements.
Potential water issues
Now let's talk about water. By itself, it is an insulator and does not conduct electricity. That is, dip any electronic gadget into 100% pure, distilled water, and nothing will happen to it - it will continue to work as if nothing had happened. The problem is that ordinary tap water, and any other in an open environment, be it a pool or the sea, contains a lot of trace elements that are very good conductors. Under the influence of the same sodium chloride (ordinary salt), real electrochemical reactions take place.
If we simplify the picture as much as possible, then ordinary water can be perceived as millions of microscopic wires and contacts that easily conduct electricity and “fry” any electronics they touch. The amount of material in water that can conduct electricity is related to general mineralization(also known as "Total Dissolved Solids" - TDS). In turn, the unit of measurement of electrical conductivity is Siemens per meter(S/m).
Thus, the number of soluble particles in deionized water is very small - approximately 5.5µS/m. Drinking water is from 1000 to 10000 times more conductive with an indicator of 5–50 mS/m. Ocean water has a conductivity one million times higher than deionized water ( 5S/m). And chlorinated pool water has a much higher conductivity than regular tap water.
Let's draw a line. All of the above means only that any water in our lives conducts electricity, and this has serious consequences for the Apple Watch.
Untouchables
iOS devices use a capacitive touchpad that uses our body as a conductor. Due to a weak electrostatic field, the display reacts to current leakage when touched, and technical magic is created on the screen - lists scroll, buttons are pressed, menus change each other. But as soon as we surround the display and our body with a conductive liquid, the sensor will literally go crazy, perceiving it as a touch simultaneously over the entire surface.
Thus, the capacitive touch panel can only adequately respond to your touch in distilled water.
You can easily check this effect yourself - throw the watch into a glass of water and try to enter the unlock code:
In addition to the touch panel, the function does not work, which is blocked by software when registering a normal touch. So, no matter how hard you press on the glass, the vibration motor will not work. How much all this interferes with reality, we will discuss a little later, but for now let's think a little more about water.
When rubber meets liquid
Electrochemical processes in water that cause electrical conductivity are also responsible for corrosion. Everyone who has spent some time by the sea or the ocean knows very well that after contact with a salty liquid, things need to be washed with fresh water. This is especially true for divers. If you do not bother with washing, then salt and other minerals remaining on the surface of the thing after the liquid has evaporated will quickly lead to damage to the equipment.
Accordingly, the question is - how does the Apple Watch perceive such a scheme of operation? Please note that in this case we are talking only about the aluminum Sport model. Other variants use different materials both in the case (steel) and to protect the display (sapphire). They may also react differently to water. I suppose that physically active citizens who are interested in using watches in water and other extreme conditions will still make a choice in favor - because they are also cheaper.
Metal
The watch case is made of anodized aluminum. The anodizing process creates a thin protective layer (2–3 nm) on the surface. It is non-conductive and provides good protection against electricity and corrosion. In particular, the multimeter showed a resistance of 6 MΩ between the speaker and microphone ports.
In addition, this layer is a good protection against scratches. For several months of very active use, the body of the gadget remained pristine.
Glass
The display is covered with very strong glass Ion-X. Exactly the same material is used in the windows of space shuttles and the windows of high-speed trains.
In addition, glass is a good insulator. In high-voltage towers, it is glass and ceramics that are installed to prevent current leakage into the ground.
Rubber
Apple smartwatches are made of more than just aluminum and glass. Between these materials there are, albeit minimal, but still gaps that must be isolated to comply with the IPX7 specification. It was there that it found its application. rubber.
Unfortunately, Apple does not tell us anything about this important material. There is no information even about whether there is natural rubber or artificial. All that is known is only the presence of this material in critical places of the structure.
So, the sealing layer was found on the side button, in the plug and in the electronic crown.
It may seem that it is rubber that will be the weak point for corrosion, especially in salt water, but according to a US Navy study, this is not the case. They studied the reaction of natural rubber in the design of torpedoes to sea air and salt water. The output is the following:
It takes a very long time to seriously degrade rubber properties.
Any diver will assure you that rubber has no problems with salt water if you follow a simple rule...
Cleaning
Do not forget to rinse your watch with fresh water after each contact with salt water. The same goes for a pool of chlorinated water, as well as profuse sweating after an intense workout.
It’s not worth it to especially strain with washing the watch - drain some clean water from a bottle on them or substitute it under the tap for a couple of seconds. If after a workout you go to the shower, then just do not take off your watch, but raise your hands up and let the water flow calmly between your wrist and gadget.
The only nuance that Craig drew attention to was the crown, which did not rotate very smoothly immediately after swimming in the ocean. Probably the problem is salt getting between the body and the metal head. After washing, the smoothness of rotation returned.
If you have been in water with your Apple Watch, be it a pool, sea, river, lake, etc., be sure to rinse them afterwards!
P.S. Music in the clock
You can also use the Apple Watch as a music player, although, given the topic of this article, underwater listening will require waterproof wireless headphones. But the phone is not needed, as smart watches have an impressive amount of memory for storing music. Enough for a downhole training playlist.
In turn, there is already a good solution for running that can work with the Apple Watch. It's called.
These are quality Bluetooth headphones designed to withstand the rigors of even the toughest workouts, fit well in your ears and have their own sports tracker. TRACKFIT, capable of measuring distance, pace, calories burned even when the Apple Watch is already running out of power.
In addition, they delight with excellent sound - juicy, assertive, deep bass. Just the way it should be for a mighty Mouzon, forcing you to work even, it would seem, beyond your physical capabilities.
There is protection from sweat and rain. Headphones sync with dedicated Jabra app Sport life, which offers entire training programs and monitors their implementation. A complete sports gadget that plays music perfectly. In general, you will find out about everything yourself ( 4.50 out of 5 rated: 2 )
website Craig Hockenberry lives in California, builds apps and websites, surfs and often swims in the ocean. He also wears an Apple Watch for several months and does not take it off even while swimming. Smart watches are still alive. Craig shared his experience of using the Apple Watch in salt water as an activity tracker, and the experience turned out to be...
This is a great assistant that monitors the health of the owner. Due to its specification, the watch can be submerged in water. But each model has its own international water resistance standards, which limit the device's contact with liquid. Using " smart watch» you need to know and apply precautions that will save the device.
How to start a water workout with iWatch?
Swimming is a great sport that allows you to constantly keep an athlete in good shape. physical form. Apple took care of training in the water and released waterproof watch. During water procedures Apple Watch will show the whole picture of the owner's health.
How to set swim training mode on Apple Watch?
- You need to enter the "Training" menu.
- Next, you should select the item "Swimming in the pool" or "Swimming in the open water" (the choice depends on the location of the training).
- After manipulation, the device will automatically switch the watch to the "Water Block" mode.
After completing these steps, the user can safely dive into the water. After the training time is over, you should unlock the watch. This is done as follows: you need to hold down the Digital Crown and the button on the side of the device.
How to turn on Apple Watch Water Lock by yourself?
- You should go to the "Management" menu.
- Next, you need to select the icon in the form of a drop.
- You should click on the icon and select the "Water Block" mode.
This operation should be done before taking a shower, bath, before going outside in the rain.
Cons of using iWatch underwater
- Since the watch is locked, the underwater screen is inactive, although all available symbols are clearly visible. Therefore, you will not be able to use the functions of the device while swimming.
- It is important to remember that water has a high electrical conductivity: if the lock is not turned on before water procedures, the watch may break. It is also important to remove liquid drops after swimming.
How to view the workout report?
After swimming, many users compare their results with previous activities. To follow the improvement process, first you need to unlock the device and in the "Training" menu, click "End".
In the water training mode, the duration of activity and rest is automatically noted. The owner can view the activity report on the iPhone in the Apple Watch app. The watch will show not only the total distance that the user has swum, but also calculate what style the person used during classes. The report will also display the pace at which the athlete did the heats.
How to clean Apple Watch from moisture?
There are impurities in any water (in the sea - salt, trace elements, in the pool - chlorine, in the bath - personal hygiene products) that need to be cleaned Apple Watch. For this you need:
- Touch the bottom of the display, hold your finger a little, then swipe up. The Manage menu opens.
- Here again, you need to touch the "Drops".
- Then you should scroll the Digital Crown several times. This action will unlock the watch and remove excess liquid from speakers.
But before the first use, you must carefully read the instructions for using the watch in water. Before releasing the lock after swimming, make sure that the watch and its mechanisms are dry.
What are the restrictions on using different versions of Apple Watch in water?
- The Apple Watch Series 1 is not designed to be exposed to liquid for extended periods of time. In the manufacture of this series, manufacturers have used the IEC 60529 liquid protection standard and the IPX7 classification. This suggests that prolonged exposure to liquid on the watch will adversely affect the device. You can walk in the rain in them, even take a shower. But at the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the watch does not come into contact with water for more than a few seconds. Do not submerge them in water more than 1 meter.
- Apple Watch 2 , and series are made to a different standard (ISO 22810:2010). The device can be immersed in water for a long time. But there are restrictions on the depth to which an athlete can descend. Apple Watch can dive into a body of water at least 50 meters. In other words, the user will not be able to dive in the watch.
Water resistance of different models of Apple Watch 1
Many users ask the question: Are the Apple Watch, Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Sport waterproof? The developers make it clear that 1st generation watches are not waterproof. Although the IEC 60529 IPX7 standard provides for a short stay of the device in water. However, the company warns device owners not to let the watch come into contact with liquid.
According to some reports, Craig Hockenbury (Apple software engineer) and Tim Cook (Apple CEO) at one time took a shower and bathed in the Apple Watch. They assured that the watch works fine after water procedures. It is difficult to judge how true these assurances are.
Therefore, in order to avoid unpleasant incidents, you should not swim in iWatch. To keep your Apple Watch waterproof for a long time, you should follow some simple rules for using and storing the device.
What can not be done on the Apple Watch?
- Drop or subject the watch to mechanical stress.
- Do not allow the watch to come into contact with hygiene products (soaps, shampoos, gels), perfumes, acids, solvents, oil products (gasoline, diesel fuel), dyes.
- Contact with water drops high speed (water skiing, rides) are unacceptable!
- Avoid exposure to high temperatures (sauna, bath).
- Avoid exposure to low temperatures. Use temperature from 0 to 35 degrees Celsius.
It is important to remember that leather and metal bracelets watches are not waterproof!
How to properly care for your Apple Watch?
- You should regularly clean and wipe the watch from sweat. The human skin needs to be kept dry.
- Before the Water Lock function is activated, the watch may be damaged by contact with liquid.
- After each workout, you should wipe the watch itself and the bracelet with a non-aromatic cloth that absorbs moisture.
- After swimming in open water or in a pool, it is recommended to rinse the device with clean water.
- When caring for or drying the watch, do not use a hair dryer, heater, treat the gadget with chemicals, compressed air or ultrasonic devices.
- It is strictly forbidden to clean the Apple Watch while charging!
This is a great assistant that monitors the health of the owner. Due to its specification, the watch can be submerged in water. But each model has its own international water resistance standards, which limit the device's contact with liquid. When using a smart watch, you need to know and apply precautions that will save the device.
How to start a water workout with iWatch?
Swimming is a great sport that allows you to constantly keep the athlete in good physical shape. Apple took care of training in the water and released a waterproof watch. During water procedures, Apple Watch will show the whole picture of the owner's health.
How to set swim training mode on Apple Watch?
- You need to enter the "Training" menu.
- Next, you should select the item "Swimming in the pool" or "Swimming in the open water" (the choice depends on the location of the training).
- After manipulation, the device will automatically switch the watch to the "Water Block" mode.
After completing these steps, the user can safely dive into the water. After the training time is over, you should unlock the watch. This is done as follows: you need to hold down the Digital Crown and the button on the side of the device.
How to turn on Apple Watch Water Lock by yourself?
- You should go to the "Management" menu.
- Next, you need to select the icon in the form of a drop.
- You should click on the icon and select the "Water Block" mode.
This operation should be done before taking a shower, bath, before going outside in the rain.
Cons of using iWatch underwater
- Since the watch is locked, the underwater screen is inactive, although all available symbols are clearly visible. Therefore, you will not be able to use the functions of the device while swimming.
- It is important to remember that water has a high electrical conductivity: if the lock is not turned on before water procedures, the watch may break. It is also important to remove liquid drops after swimming.
How to view the workout report?
After swimming, many users compare their results with previous activities. To follow the improvement process, first you need to unlock the device and in the "Training" menu, click "End".
In the water training mode, the duration of activity and rest is automatically noted. The owner can view the activity report on the iPhone in the Apple Watch app. The watch will show not only the total distance that the user has swum, but also calculate what style the person used during classes. The report will also display the pace at which the athlete did the heats.
How to clean Apple Watch from moisture?
There are impurities in any water (in the sea - salt, trace elements, in the pool - chlorine, in the bath - personal hygiene products) that need to be cleaned Apple Watch. For this you need:
- Touch the bottom of the display, hold your finger a little, then swipe up. The Manage menu opens.
- Here again, you need to touch the "Drops".
- Then you should scroll the Digital Crown several times. This action will unlock the watch and remove excess fluid from the speakers.
But before the first use, you must carefully read the instructions for using the watch in water. Before releasing the lock after swimming, make sure that the watch and its mechanisms are dry.
What are the restrictions on using different versions of Apple Watch in water?
- The Apple Watch Series 1 is not designed to be exposed to liquid for extended periods of time. In the manufacture of this series, manufacturers have used the IEC 60529 liquid protection standard and the IPX7 classification. This suggests that prolonged exposure to liquid on the watch will adversely affect the device. You can walk in the rain in them, even take a shower. But at the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the watch does not come into contact with water for more than a few seconds. Do not submerge them in water more than 1 meter.
- Apple Watch 2 , and series are made to a different standard (ISO 22810:2010). The device can be immersed in water for a long time. But there are restrictions on the depth to which an athlete can descend. Apple Watch can dive into a body of water at least 50 meters. In other words, the user will not be able to dive in the watch.
Water resistance of different models of Apple Watch 1
Many users ask the question: Are the Apple Watch, Apple Watch Edition and Apple Watch Sport waterproof? The developers make it clear that 1st generation watches are not waterproof. Although the IEC 60529 IPX7 standard provides for a short stay of the device in water. However, the company warns device owners not to let the watch come into contact with liquid.
According to some reports, Craig Hockenbury (Apple software engineer) and Tim Cook (Apple CEO) at one time took a shower and bathed in the Apple Watch. They assured that the watch works fine after water procedures. It is difficult to judge how true these assurances are.
Therefore, in order to avoid unpleasant incidents, you should not swim in iWatch. To keep your Apple Watch waterproof for a long time, you should follow some simple rules for using and storing the device.
What can not be done on the Apple Watch?
- Drop or subject the watch to mechanical stress.
- Do not allow the watch to come into contact with hygiene products (soaps, shampoos, gels), perfumes, acids, solvents, oil products (gasoline, diesel fuel), dyes.
- Contact with drops of water at high speed (water skiing, rides) is not allowed!
- Avoid exposure to high temperatures (sauna, bath).
- Avoid exposure to low temperatures. Use temperature from 0 to 35 degrees Celsius.
It is important to remember that leather and metal watch bands are not waterproof!
How to properly care for your Apple Watch?
- You should regularly clean and wipe the watch from sweat. The human skin needs to be kept dry.
- Before the Water Lock function is activated, the watch may be damaged by contact with liquid.
- After each workout, you should wipe the watch itself and the bracelet with a non-aromatic cloth that absorbs moisture.
- After swimming in open water or in a pool, it is recommended to rinse the device with clean water.
- When caring for or drying the watch, do not use a hair dryer, heater, treat the gadget with chemicals, compressed air or ultrasonic devices.
- It is strictly forbidden to clean the Apple Watch while charging!
Apple Watch smartwatches are officially water-resistant, but not waterproof - IPX7 protection in the first generation of watches saves you from moisture, allows you to wash your hands in fresh water and even run in the rain.
In the second and third generations of Apple Watch, the level of water protection is even higher - as the manufacturer suggests with Series 2 and 3, you can safely dive to a shallow depth in the pool or in the sea and even train underwater without fear for the final performance of the device. And, although the logic of restrictions for each generation of watches is visible to the naked eye, in reality there are more nuances than it seems:
- Showering with Apple Watch Series 1 (the Apple Watch 3 is highly water-resistant, so you can wash with it) is strictly not recommended. Splashes and moisture will survive the watch, but prolonged contact with water will end in failure. And you should also avoid getting soap, shampoos and hygiene products into the case of any watch - in such conditions, the chance of breaking the strength of water-resistant partitions and membranes responsible for sound is much higher;
- Diving is not compatible with the Apple Watch, as are harsh contact sports that force you to jump underwater or jump;
- And finally, stainless steel straps are susceptible to corrosion, and therefore it is worth choosing exclusively sports options!
Activating the "Water Lock" Mode
With Apple Watch Series 2 and 3 (or later models, which will definitely appear in the future), watch owners can choose two training modes in the settings - “Swimming in the pool” or “Open water”. Each proposed option will allow you to record the total physical activity, receive rewards for the calories burned and the "passed" distance, and completed laps right under the water. And here it is worth remembering two important nuances:
By the way, if the clock does not work correctly, and the side button is pressed every other time, then it is worth repeating the procedure again, but in manual mode. Namely, call the “Control Point”, find “Water Blocking” from the proposed options, then scroll the Digital Crown to the already familiar sound signal.
What does the droplet icon on the screen mean?
If the screen is insensitive to touch, Siri is not responding, and alerts and notifications are not coming even when set correctly, then the problem is definitely the Water Lock mode selected, which is activated when you select a pool or open water workout on the Apple Watch Series 2 or 3 (first generation not suitable).
To exit the mode and turn off the “droplets”, you need to scroll the Digital Crown several times. The result of the work done is a sound signal and newly discovered possibilities for interacting with the clock.