Apple Provides Deep Dive Into New Apple Watch Ultra Depth App

With the official launch of the Apple Watch Ultra looming, Apple has shared a support document on the new Depth app that's exclusive to the device. The Depth app is designed to be used for recreational diving, providing information on water temperature, current depth, maximum depth, and more. The Apple Watch Ultra can be used for dives up to 40 meters deep (130 feet).

depth gauge ultra watch
Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.

The support document walks through how to use the Depth app, which can be set to auto launch whenever the Apple Watch Ultra is submerged in water that is one meter deep or more. When the Depth app launches, the Apple Watch Ultra will turn on Water Lock to prevent screen activation, and a session can be ended with a press and hold on the Digital Crown.

The Depth app will provide a consolidated dive summary at the end of a dive session, letting users know the length of the dive, the water temperature range, and maximum depth.

Apple has also provided a new support document that outlines everything the new Compass app can do, highlighting how to use the Backtrack and Waypoint features, plus there is information on the recommended temperature range for various Apple Watch Ultra activities.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...

Top Rated Comments

Platticus Avatar
36 months ago

“Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.”

How stupid to put so much emphasis on this during the presentation only to then say it’s basically useless. 40 meters max, doesn’t do safety stops, etc. basically anything useful to a diver.

Also from the apple site:

“* Apple Watch Ultra has a water resistance rating of 100 meters under ISO standard 22810. It may be used for recreational scuba diving (with compatible third-party app from the App Store) to 40 meters and high-speed water sports. Apple Watch Ultra should not be used for diving below 40 meters.”

So below 40 feet trust us. ?

So then what’s the point? If it’s not a dive computer, then really this is only useful for free divers.

Yeah, they were making a big deal about this replacing your dive computer, and now putting a fine print that it's not.

I'm almost certain the website used the term "dive computer" when describing the watch.
I could be wrong, but I’m fairly certain the Depth app is the apple developed app, while the app they highlighted was co-developed by another company (Huish) and IS a dive computer. They are two separate things.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
uberman15 Avatar
36 months ago
This is support docs for the Depth app not for Oceanic+ which does more to make the Ultra a dive computer replacement for many folks. It seems that this is critical context missing from the article based on previous comments.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iBungie Avatar
36 months ago
I'm a PADI Divemaster and also have done some basic technical diving training - and I while would not use this as my main dive computer I would love one to have as a back up and to use for example when I'm on holiday. Its basic functionality (once the proper app is available) is adequate for a wide range of recreational diving activities but crucially it is not intended for situations requiring deco stops and mixed gases - which is not recreational diving. In this respect is it more like the basic kinds of dive computers widely available and with the forthcoming app can be used with air or nitrox as long as a single gas is used throughout the dive. 40m is the limit for recreational diving with 18m & 30m the more usual limits depending upon training level. As for it being a watch - this is fine as divers will be familiar with using tables, a watch and a depth gauge to stay safely and conservatively within their limits. What is a bonus is this watch can be used for skiing, sailing or whatever unlike a basic dive computer which serves one activity only. (There are more expensive dive computers that can be worn as watches)

I reflect on the warnings from Apple and offer this sort of text is to be found in any manual for a dive computer as diving is a dangerous activity when not undertaken with suitable training and protocol.

Unfortunately I cant afford nor justify this watch at present but am excited about its release and the availability of wearable tech that supports undertaking adventure activities safely.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Platticus Avatar
36 months ago

Because: Who's standards? Who's tables? Who's responsible for the research, and who did the research they are basing this on? It seems to not be very durable if the depth is that shallow. The time an idiot needs a computer is when they find themselves drifting past the limits on a wall dive, and they are in trouble and don't even know it.

I personally would not trust this as a 'dive computer'. I'd wait for the second, or third version. It's my life after all...
From https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-ultra/ -
“EN13319 certified
An internationally recognized standard for diving accessories.”

To be clear, my point is that the article on which we are commenting is about the “Depth” app, which is wholly different from the app discussed and marketed by apple as a dive computer. The hardware seems more than capable and certified as such.

I’m just confounded as to why everyone is thinking apple is pulling a fast one on us? Why is everyone up in arms about this, rather than other claims like the new dual-frequency GPS system? Both are factual, objective statements about the capabilities of this device.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Steve686 Avatar
36 months ago

“Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.”

How stupid to put so much emphasis on this during the presentation only to then say it’s basically useless. 40 meters max, doesn’t do safety stops, etc. basically anything useful to a diver.

Also from the apple site:

“* Apple Watch Ultra has a water resistance rating of 100 meters under ISO standard 22810. It may be used for recreational scuba diving (with compatible third-party app from the App Store) to 40 meters and high-speed water sports. Apple Watch Ultra should not be used for diving below 40 meters.”

So below 40 feet trust us. ?
It's only useless as far as incompetent and irresponsible divers go.

When you learn to dive, you NEED to learn how to use a recreational dive table and actually plan a dive. Not just slap a computer on your wrist and rely on it do your work for you. Using this depth gauge as a dive watch without the Oceanic software wouldn't be wise.

As far as the 40 meter limit, most recreational divers don't go near that depth without being certified as a "deep diver" with more training. It's purely a waste of air at those depths and you will only get a few minutes bottom time.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dainin Avatar
36 months ago
Guys, the ”DEPTH APP” is not a dive computer. You need to use Oceanic+ or another app that comes out in the future if you want it to act as a dive computer.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)