If you’re an active person or just accident-prone, a common question is, is the apple watch se waterproof? The Apple Watch SE is water resistant, making it safe for swimming in a pool or ocean. But there’s important details you need to know to protect your device. This guide explains exactly what its water resistance means, what you can and cannot do, and how to care for it after getting wet.
Understanding the official rating is key. We’ll break down everything from showering to diving, and provide clear steps for water lock and post-swim care.
Is The Apple Watch Se Waterproof
Let’s clarify the most important point right away. Technically, the Apple Watch SE is not advertised as “waterproof.” That term suggests a device is impervious to water under any condition, which is not the case for any smartwatch. Instead, Apple uses the term “water resistant.” The Apple Watch SE has a water resistance rating of 50 meters under the ISO standard 22810:2010. This means it is designed to withstand immersion in water up to 50 meters deep for specific activities.
This rating is achieved through gaskets and seals that protect the internal components. However, these seals can degrade over time due to normal wear, soap, chemicals, and temperature changes. So, while you can confidently wear it for many water-based activities, it’s not invincible.
Understanding The WR50 Rating
The 50-meter rating can be misleading. It doesn’t mean you can scuba dive to 50 meters. The ISO 22810 standard it’s tested under is designed for surface water sports. The pressure from diving or jumping into water can far exceed the static pressure test used for the rating. Essentially, the rating covers shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or the ocean. It is not designed for high-velocity water from water skiing, or submersion at high depths.
Apple specifies that the water resistance is suitable for activities like swimming in a pool or the ocean, but not for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth. Always avoid exposing the watch to soaps, shampoos, lotions, or perfumes, as these can harm the water-resistant seals.
What The ISO Standard Covers
The ISO 22810:2010 standard tests watches for everyday use in water, including accidental splashes, rain, and swimming. It’s a good benchmark for general water exposure but has its limits. The testing is done in still, fresh water, which is less corrosive than chlorinated or salt water.
Activities You Can Safely Do
You can wear your Apple Watch SE for many daily and recreational water activities. Here is a list of generally safe actions:
- Swimming in a chlorinated pool.
- Swimming in the ocean or a lake.
- Walking in the rain or getting caught in a downpour.
- Washing your hands with the watch on.
- Wearing it in the shower (though Apple does not recommend this due to soap and shampoo).
- Using it during a sweaty workout.
For all these activities, you should first enable the Water Lock feature. This locks the screen to prevent accidental taps from water droplets and expels water from the speaker afterwards.
Activities You Should Avoid
To keep your Apple Watch SE safe, you must avoid certain situations. The water resistance is not permanent and can be compromised. Avoid these activities completely:
- Scuba diving or deep-water diving.
- Water skiing, jet skiing, or any high-impact water sports.
- Submerging it in hot water, like a hot tub or sauna.
- Intentionally exposing it to pressurized water (like a powerful showerhead or water jet).
- Using it in a steam room.
- Applying chemicals like bug spray, sunscreen, hair dye, or lotions directly on the watch.
Chlorine and salt water are more corrosive than fresh water. While the watch can handle them, you should always rinse it with fresh, lukewarm water afterwards and dry it with a lint-free cloth.
How To Use Your Apple Watch SE In Water
Before you take your watch for a swim, you need to prepare it correctly. Following these steps will help ensure its water resistance functions as intended and that your data is tracked accurately.
Enable Water Lock Before Getting Wet
Water Lock is a crucial feature. It prevents the touchscreen from registering false taps from water droplets. When you turn it off, it plays a series of tones to clear water from the speaker. Here’s how to use it:
- Swipe up from the bottom of your watch face to open the Control Center.
- Look for the water droplet icon. Tap it.
- You’ll see “Water Lock On” and the screen will be locked. A small water droplet icon will appear at the top of the watch face.
- When you’re done in the water, turn the Digital Crown firmly. You’ll feel a slight vibration and hear sounds as water is ejected from the speaker.
It’s a good habit to enable Water Lock even for rain or hand washing. This simple step can prevent a lot of accidental screen interactions.
Starting A Swimming Workout
For the best tracking, use the built-in Workout app. It can track your laps, calories, and distance in the pool if you set the pool length. Open the Workout app, scroll to “Pool Swim” or “Open Water Swim,” and tap start. The workout will begin a three-second countdown, giving you time to get in the water. The watch will automatically enable Water Lock when you start a swim workout.
Remember, the watch uses your arm motion to track laps. For accurate tracking in a pool, you need to set the correct pool length in the Apple Watch app on your iPhone under My Watch > Workout > Pool Swim Length.
Caring For Your Watch After Water Exposure
What you do after your watch gets wet is just as important as what you do before. Proper care maintains the integrity of the water-resistant seals and keeps your watch clean.
Rinsing And Drying Procedures
After swimming in any water other than fresh, you should rinse your Apple Watch SE. This is especially important after ocean swims or exposure to chlorinated pools.
- Use lukewarm fresh water. Do not use hot or cold extremes.
- Gently run water over the watch, including the band and the back sensor.
- Dry the watch thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth. A microfiber cloth works perfectly.
- If you have a band that traps moisture, like the Sport Loop, remove it from the watch and dry both pieces separately.
Never use heat, compressed air, or a hairdryer to dry your watch, as this can damage the seals. Also, avoid charging a wet watch. Make sure the watch and especially the magnetic charging port on the back are completely dry before placing it on the charger.
Checking For Seal Degradation
The water resistance of your Apple Watch SE is not guaranteed for life. Seals can wear down. Be aware of signs that might indicate compromised water resistance:
- Condensation or fogging under the watch crystal (the glass).
- The speaker sounds muffled even after using Water Lock ejection tones.
- Any visible damage to the screen or case.
If you notice any of these signs, avoid getting the watch wet and contact Apple Support. Apple does not cover water damage under its standard warranty, as it’s considered incidental damage.
Common Questions And Concerns
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Apple Watch SE and water.
Can I Shower With My Apple Watch SE?
Apple does not recommend showering with your Apple Watch SE. While it can technically handle the water, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and body washes can degrade the water-resistant seals over time. The high temperatures and steam from a hot shower can also stress the seals. It’s safer to remove it before showering.
What Happens If I Forget Water Lock?
If you forget to enable Water Lock, don’t panic. The watch is still water resistant. The main issue will be that the screen may act erratically from water droplets registering as taps. It might open apps or scroll screens. Once you’re out of the water, simply dry the screen with a cloth and it should behave normally. You can still manually activate Water Lock and then turn it off to eject water from the speaker.
Is The Apple Watch SE 2 Waterproof?
The second-generation Apple Watch SE (released in 2022) has the exact same water resistance rating as the first generation: 50 meters under ISO standard 22810:2010. All the same guidelines and limitations apply. It is safe for pool and ocean swimming but not for high-velocity water or diving.
Does Apple Cover Water Damage?
No, Apple’s standard one-year limited warranty and AppleCare+ do not cover water damage. Apple considers liquid contact to be incidental damage. If your watch suffers water damage, you would be responsible for the out-of-warranty repair cost. This is why following the usage guidelines is so important to protect your investment.
Final Recommendations For Water Use
Your Apple Watch SE is a robust companion for an active lifestyle. To summarize the key points for safe water use:
- Always use the Water Lock feature before any water exposure.
- Rinse with fresh water and dry thoroughly after swimming in a pool, ocean, or lake.
- Avoid exposing it to soaps, chemicals, heat, and high-velocity water.
- Never charge the watch while it or the charger are damp.
- Understand that water resistance decreases over time with normal use.
By following these practical steps, you can confidently use your Apple Watch SE for swimming and other water activities without worry. Just remember it’s water *resistant*, not waterproof, and treat it with a little care to ensure it lasts for years to come. If you’re ever unsure about an activity, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and remove the watch.