Is your Apple Watch waterproof? Well, the short answer is no, not completely, but most models are waterproof, so they won’t be damaged when exposed to water or submerged in water to a certain depth. But there are several levels of water resistance for Apple watches, so it’s best to know exactly how a watch is rated before you jump into the pool or hot tub.
The good news for Apple Watch owners is that the days of ruining expensive Apple products because you got caught in the rain are over. Even the oldest Apple Watches offer some degree of moisture protection, and each watch has a rating that tells you exactly how much water it can handle.
If you’re looking for a new Apple Watch and plan to wear it for bathing, swimming, or even ocean sports, read on to find out what activities and depths your new watch can handle. Keep in mind that Apple’s warranty usually doesn’t cover water damage, so be sure to follow the water resistance ratings (unless of course you want to buy a new watch).
If you’re thinking of buying a new Apple Watch, we’ve rounded up the best prices for you here:
Note on water resistance
Unlike most electronic devices, including iPhones, iPads, and all other tablets and smartphones, Apple Watches do not have an IP water resistance rating. Instead, they use the standard method of evaluating watches, based on depth.
However, a rating of up to 50 meters, for example, doesn’t mean you should take it anywhere near 50 meters – it just means that in lab tests it was able to withstand the pressure you’d find at that depth (which is about 4 5 times more than on the surface).
But – apart from the Apple Watch Ultra, which is designed with divers in mind – there’s really no reason to test it yourself, given that it could damage the watch. If you need a smartwatch for diving or freediving, you’re better off buying one that doubles as a dive computer, like the aforementioned Ultra, or a watch from another brand, like Garmin descent (opens in a new tab).
It’s also important to know that Apple Watches in general are not designed to withstand repeated high-energy impacts. Jumping into the pool or the ocean is no problem, but avoid wearing it during more extreme sports like water skiing or surfing. It’ll probably be fine a few times, but too many high-speed hits can start to compromise the water resistance, eventually ruining the watch.
For official information on the water resistance of Apple watches, please visit the website Dedicated Apple support page (opens in a new tab).