How To Water Lock Your Apple Watch To Protect It

The Apple Watch is designed to be water-resistant, but activating the Water Lock feature can provide additional protection against accidental screen interactions and help expel water from the device. Here’s how to use Water Lock effectively on your Apple Watch.

What is Water Lock on Apple Watch?

Water Lock is a feature that locks the display of your Apple Watch and ejects any water that may have entered the device after submersion. This feature is particularly useful during activities like swimming, showering, or running in the rain, as it prevents accidental touches on the screen and ensures the watch remains functional.

How to Activate Water Lock

To activate Water Lock on your Apple Watch, follow these steps:

1. Access the Control Center: Press the side button on your Apple Watch to open the Control Center. This replaces the older method of swiping up from the bottom of the screen.
2. Find the Water Lock Icon: Look for the Water Lock icon, which is shaped like a water droplet. It is typically located in the Control Center.
3. Tap the Water Lock Icon: Tap the Water Lock icon once to activate the feature. You will see a water droplet animation on the watch face, indicating that Water Lock is enabled.

Using Water Lock During Water Activities

Once Water Lock is activated, you can engage in water-related activities without worrying about accidental screen interactions. Here are some key points to consider:

• Prevents Accidental Touches: Water Lock locks the screen, making it impossible to click, swipe, or tap any buttons. This is especially useful when the screen is wet.
• Allows Digital Crown Use: You can still rotate the Digital Crown to scroll through notifications or an active workout, even with Water Lock enabled.

How to Deactivate Water Lock and Clear Water

After you're done with your water activity, you need to deactivate Water Lock and clear any water from the speaker. Here’s how:

1. Access the Control Center: Press the side button to open the Control Center again.
2. Find the Water Lock Icon: Locate the Water Lock icon in the Control Center.
3. Deactivate Water Lock: Tap the Water Lock icon once more to deactivate the feature.
4. Clear Water from the Speaker: Press and hold the Digital Crown to unlock the screen and clear any water from the speaker. The watch will vibrate and emit a tone to expel the water.

Additional Tips for Using Water Lock

• Automatic Activation: If you have an Apple Watch Ultra or later, Water Lock can automatically turn on when the watch is submerged to a depth of 10cm or lower.
• Compatibility: Water Lock is available on Apple Watch Series 2 and later models. However, it is particularly beneficial for Apple Watch Ultra and later models, which are designed for more intense water activities.
• Post-Activity Care: After deactivating Water Lock, use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to gently dry your Apple Watch, including the screen and the area around the Digital Crown.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any issues with the Water Lock feature, here are some troubleshooting steps:

• Missing Water Lock Icon: If you cannot find the Water Lock icon, ensure you are accessing the Control Center correctly by pressing the side button. If the issue persists, check for any software updates or contact Apple Support.
• Water in the Speaker: If your Apple Watch's speaker sounds muffled after getting wet, activate Water Lock and then deactivate it to clear the water from the speaker.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively use the Water Lock feature to protect your Apple Watch during water-related activities and ensure it remains in good working condition.