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A Detailed Look at How the Apple Watch Functions in Water
Apple is cautious with its Apple Watch and doesn't market the device as waterproof, instead giving it a water resistance rating of IPX7. Apple says it's fine to wear the watch in the rain or while washing your hands, but the company doesn't recommend submerging the device.
Many Apple Watch owners have tested Apple's water resistance claims, coming to the conclusion that the Apple Watch is more water resistant than Apple claims. It's survived submersion in a bucket, laps in a pool, lengthy swim tests, and even a 10m dive with no damage.
Image via Craig Hockenberry
iOS developer Craig Hockenberry of Iconfactory has followed up each of those tests with a thorough look at the Apple Watch's ability to function in water, which he's compiled into a detailed report that's well worth a read.
Hockenberry wears his Apple Watch while swimming in both pools and the ocean with no discernible damage. Because other reports have already proven the Apple Watch can function in water, Hockenberry goes deeper and looks at how well the watch works while it's in water, how it can be used while swimming, how accurate the data tracking is for water-based activities like swimming, and how to keep the Apple Watch in good condition after using it in salt water and chlorine.
The Apple Watch's capacitive touch screen doesn't work while the device is under water, nor does Force Touch. This is a problem when using the Workout app, as it can't be accessed in the water, and occasionally, water can activate a swipe on the display, swapping from the timer to the calorie view. A workout can only be started before getting into the water and ended after getting out, leading to some inaccuracies.
Hockenberry's full, detailed report on how the Apple Watch functions in water can be read over at his site, Furbo.org.
Many Apple Watch owners have tested Apple's water resistance claims, coming to the conclusion that the Apple Watch is more water resistant than Apple claims. It's survived submersion in a bucket, laps in a pool, lengthy swim tests, and even a 10m dive with no damage.
iOS developer Craig Hockenberry of Iconfactory has followed up each of those tests with a thorough look at the Apple Watch's ability to function in water, which he's compiled into a detailed report that's well worth a read.
Hockenberry wears his Apple Watch while swimming in both pools and the ocean with no discernible damage. Because other reports have already proven the Apple Watch can function in water, Hockenberry goes deeper and looks at how well the watch works while it's in water, how it can be used while swimming, how accurate the data tracking is for water-based activities like swimming, and how to keep the Apple Watch in good condition after using it in salt water and chlorine.
The Apple Watch's capacitive touch screen doesn't work while the device is under water, nor does Force Touch. This is a problem when using the Workout app, as it can't be accessed in the water, and occasionally, water can activate a swipe on the display, swapping from the timer to the calorie view. A workout can only be started before getting into the water and ended after getting out, leading to some inaccuracies.
You have to start the workout before getting in the water and stop after you've gotten a chance to dry off.Hockenberry postulates that Apple recommends customers don't use the Apple Watch in water "because of the erratic behavior it causes" when the screen is wet, rather than out of concern for how well it holds up in water. As he suggests, it's possible water activity tracking will improve upon the release of WatchOS 2 if native swimming apps are allowed, but it is not clear if Apple will approve swimming apps as they encourage users to wear the Apple Watch in a way that Apple does not support.
For an ocean swim, this screws up your timing: you don't really start swimming until after you get beyond the surf break. If there's heavy surf, this can take several minutes. Workout data is being collected while you're standing and waiting for waves to clear.
Hockenberry's full, detailed report on how the Apple Watch functions in water can be read over at his site, Furbo.org.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
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Top Rated Comments
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47 months ago
"Many Apple Watch owners have tested ('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/05/06/consumer-reports-apple-watch-test/') Apple's water resistance claims.."
Brave souls. I salute your quest to push the limits of expensive technology.
I won't even test the Scotch-guard on my sofa.
Brave souls. I salute your quest to push the limits of expensive technology.
I won't even test the Scotch-guard on my sofa.
47 months ago
I've never understood why people wear watches in the shower. Is it that difficult to take off prior to showering?
47 months ago
In case anyone is wondering, below are what a water damaged Apple Watch looks like.
The trick is disabling the undocumented 'lava lamp' feature. :p
47 months ago
I've already had my Apple Watch replaced once about a month or so after I had it. I rarely take off my Watch and wear it in the shower each day, but only had this problem once. After washing my hands during the day at a clients, I noticed my Watch wouldn't come back on. Upon further inspection, it looked like water got underneath the screen in the top right corner.
Apple promptly replaced it and it's been fine since. I still wear my watch in the shower and other places, but it happens again I'll have to come to realization that the Apple Watch just isn't on par water resistance wise compared to mechanical watches I've worn in the past.
In case anyone is wondering, below are what a water damaged Apple Watch looks like.
Apple promptly replaced it and it's been fine since. I still wear my watch in the shower and other places, but it happens again I'll have to come to realization that the Apple Watch just isn't on par water resistance wise compared to mechanical watches I've worn in the past.
In case anyone is wondering, below are what a water damaged Apple Watch looks like.
47 months ago
I wore my Apple Watch white water tubing this weekend with no troubles other than my friends who thought I was crazy. But I had to have my fitness credit for all my efforts to "paddle" the tube from one side of the river to the other. I burned over 840 calories! Could you imagine if that didn't get recorded? In this case, thank goodness for Apple under promising on water resistance and over delivering.
47 months ago
Nobody cares weird man.
... uh... this is a thread about whether it should be worn in the water. I thought it might help to share my experience. Isn't that what these boards are for?
Care to classify what you mean by weird? We're you picked on as a kid? Not sure what would drive you to try and bring someone down for no reason.
47 months ago
i cant help but always shake my head at people potentially throwing away at minimum $350 a pop simply because they dont believe the manufacturer's claims to keep their expensive watch functioning normally.
47 months ago
I do an 80ft/24m high dive in a show in Las Vegas, worth trying to see if it can survive that?
47 months ago
This is the main thing holding me back in getting one. I am a avid swimmer and surfer and would like to have the watch waterproof. Maybe V2 will address that. Be able to track water activities would be fantastic.
47 months ago
I've never understood why people wear watches in the shower. Is it that difficult to take off prior to showering?
Watches, especially after you exercise, can get gross.[ Read All Comments ]
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