About the water-resistance of your Apple Watch

Find out more about the water-resistance of your Apple Watch and what to do if your device gets wet.

Is my Apple Watch waterproof?

Your Apple Watch is water-resistant, but not waterproof.  For example, you can wear and use your Apple Watch during activities such as exercise (exposure to sweat is OK), walking in rain and washing your hands. With Apple Watch Ultra, you can also participate in high-speed water sports and recreational scuba diving up to 40 metres.

• Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch (1st generation) have a water-resistance rating of IPX7 under IEC standard 60529.

• Apple Watch Series 2 and later have a water-resistance rating of 50 metres under ISO standard 22810:2010.

• Apple Watch Ultra and later have a water-resistance rating of 100 metres under ISO standard 22810:2010 and are EN13319-compliant.

• Apple Watch Series 7 and later are rated IP6X dust resistant.

• Apple Watch Ultra and later are rated IP6X dust resistant.

• 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.

Can I go scuba diving, swimming or take a shower with my Apple Watch?

If you have Apple Watch Ultra or later, you can wear it during recreational scuba diving up to 130 feet (40 metres) and other activities such as swimming, showering and water skiing.*

Apple Watch Series 2 and later can be used for shallow-water activities, such as swimming in a pool or ocean, but you shouldn’t use models other than Apple Watch Ultra or later for diving, water skiing or other activities involving submersion below shallow depth or high-velocity water.

Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch (1st generation) are splash- and water-resistant, but submerging these models isn't recommended.

Not all Apple Watch bands are appropriate for water use. For example, the stainless steel and leather bands aren't water-resistant and shouldn't be exposed to liquids.

What should I avoid while wearing my Apple Watch?

Water-resistance isn't a permanent condition and can diminish over time. Apple Watch can't be rechecked or resealed for water-resistance. The following can affect the water-resistance of your Apple Watch and should be avoided:

• Dropping your Apple Watch or other impacts events

• Exposing your Apple Watch to soap or soapy water (for example, while showering or bathing)

• Exposing your Apple Watch to perfume, solvents, detergents, acids or acidic foods, insect repellent, lotions, sun cream, oil or hair dye

• Exposing Apple Watch models other than Apple Watch Ultra or later to high-velocity water (for example, while water skiing)

• Wearing Apple Watch while cliff diving or high diving

• Wearing Apple Watch in a steam room

• Wearing Apple Watch models other than Apple Watch Ultra or later in a sauna

• Wearing Apple Watch Ultra or later in a sauna above 55°C (130°F)

While the above should be avoided, if your Apple Watch comes in contact accidentally with soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, perfumes, solvents, detergent, acids or acidic foods, insect repellent, sun cream, oil, hair dye or any substance other than water, it should be cleaned with fresh warm water and dried with a lint-free cloth.  Chemicals found in these items could negatively affect water seals and acoustic membranes.

What should I do if my Apple Watch gets wet?

To remove water from your Apple Watch, wipe it off with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. Don't use heat, compressed air or sprays. Clean and dry your Apple Watch, the band and your skin after workouts or heavy sweating. After swimming, gently rinse Apple Watch Series 2 and later under lightly running, warm, fresh water.  Dry your Apple Watch and the band thoroughly afterwards. Find out more about cleaning your Apple Watch.

If your Apple Watch gets wet and its speaker sounds muffled, follow the steps below. Don't insert anything into the openings – for example, the microphone or speaker ports – and don't shake your Apple Watch to try and remove any water. Allowing your Apple Watch to charge overnight may speed up the evaporation process.

On Apple Watch Series 3 and later, measurements from the barometric altimeter might be less accurate if water gets into the air vent (for example, during swimming). Normal altimeter performance will return after the water has evaporated.

Apple Watch Series 2 and later

When you start a swimming workout, your Apple Watch automatically locks the screen with Water Lock to avoid accidental taps. And if you have Apple Watch Ultra or later, you can have it turn on Water Lock automatically when it’s submerged to a depth of 10 cm or lower. When you've finished, press and hold* the Digital Crown to unlock the screen and clear any water from your Apple Watch. A series of tones will play to clear any water that remains in the speaker.

To clear water from Apple Watch manually, press the side button to open Control Centre (for watchOS 9 or earlier, touch and hold the bottom of the screen, then swipe up). Tap Water Lock, then press and hold the Digital Crown to unlock the screen and clear water from the speaker.

Apple Watch Series 1 or earlier Apple Watch devices

Check to see if there's water in the microphone or speaker by placing the device, speaker-side down, on a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth to see if any water drips out. Water in the port can degrade speaker or microphone performance until it has evaporated completely.