Smartwatches have become pretty popular in the past few years. There are plenty of companies that make them, but the Apple Watches are considered some of the best ones. Apple makes some of the most expensive smartwatches on the market, and their quality is absolutely amazing.
However, a lot of people wonder, can I wear my Apple Watch in the shower or not. If you’re one of them, then continue reading as we’ll explain each and everything related to how good the Apple watch is against water.
Are Apple Watches Waterproof or Water-Resistant?
Apple watches are not fully waterproof and are labelled as being Water-resistant. Being water resistant gives you good protection against situations like heavy rain or showering. However, if you tried to dive with your Apple watch it may defect as it is not fully waterproof.
We have outlined the differences between Waterproof and Water-resistant below.
What Is The Difference Between Waterproof and Water-Resistant?
A big mistake many people make is that they think water-resistant and waterproof are the same thing. However, these two terms are completely different. Waterproof means that you can keep your watch or any other gadget that is labeled as “waterproof” underwater without worrying about it getting ruined.
You can keep waterproof stuff underwater for hours, and it won’t damage them a little bit. On the other hand, water-resistant means that the watch can be used underwater, but only for a short period of time. You can’t keep it underwater for hours as this will damage the watch.
As for the Apple Watch, it is water-resistant. However, each model has its own water-resistance rating. The rating system is used to tell how well the watch will perform underwater. Wearing an Apple Watch while washing your hands or going for a workout during which you will sweat a lot is safe for every Apple Watch, except for the ones that are older than Series 2.
Can You Wear Your Apple Watch In The Shower?
Yes, you can indeed wear your Apple Watch in the shower. However, this is only possible if you have the Series 2 Apple Watch or above. This is because the Apple Watch Series 2 and onwards have a good rating and all of them are water-resistant up to 50m. What this means is that you can take the Apple Watch down to 50m underwater. If you go down more than 50m, your Apple Watch might get damaged.
Furthermore, even if you’re keeping the watch underwater above 50m, it’s recommended that you don’t keep it there for a long period of time. You can wear it during regular swimming sessions or a shower, but it will be wise to keep it away from anything that involves keeping the watch underwater for long.
What Can Damage The Apple Watch In The Shower?
An important thing to keep in mind is that while it is safe to wear the Apple Watch in the shower, you will be putting it at great risk. This is because shampoo, soap, lotions, detergents, and perfumes can easily damage your Apple Watch. Therefore, you should only wear it in the shower when you won’t be using any of these items, which is a rare case.
Which Water Activities Aren’t Recommended For The Apple Watch?
As mentioned earlier, the Apple Watch can only be kept underwater for a specific period of time. If you’re going for Scuba Diving or Water Skiing, the wise choice will be to leave the Apple Watch behind. Such activities can potentially damage your watch as it’s not designed for such extreme activities. It is also recommended that you don’t wear the Apple Watch in the Sauna.
For those wondering, the Apple Watch silicone watch bands are safe to use in water. No matter whether you shower in them or go for a quick swim, these bands won’t get damaged. However, if you’re using metal, leather, or nylon straps, then you will need to be extremely careful while using them in water. These straps don’t go well with water, so it’s best to use a silicone strap for activities that involve water.
What To Do Before And After Wearing The Apple Watch In The Shower?
If you’re going to wear the Apple Watch during any activity that involves water, then make sure to activate the Water Lock feature first. This feature can be found in Apple Watch Series 2 and onwards, and it’s really helpful. By activating it, you can prevent accidental taps when underwater. This feature is mostly used by swimmers who like to wear their Apple Watch during the session.
Before going into the water, open the Command Center on your Apple Watch and scroll up or down to find the Water icon. Tap on it, and this will make the screen less responsive. After you get done with the swim or shower, dry everything, including the straps. Then rotate the Digital Crown, the button on the side of the Apple Watch.
If you hear a few beeps, this means that the watch is getting rid of water and dirt that might have made its way into the speakers and mics. The beeps will keep on getting louder with time. After a couple of seconds, the screen will become responsive again, and you can carry on using it.
Is Your Apple Watch Going To Remain Water-Resistant Forever?
An important thing to keep in mind is that your Apple Watch isn’t going to remain water-resistant forever. The effect will lessen over time. The worst part is that you can’t get your Apple Watch rechecked or resealed to improve its water resistance, so you won’t be able to tell whether it’s still safe to use it in the shower or not.
The things which contribute to lowering the water resistance of the Apple Watch include dropping the watch, making it collide with hard surfaces, wearing it in the sauna, not keeping it away from soaps, lotions detergents, oil, sunscreen, acids, and keeping it underwater for a long period of time. All of these must be avoided if you want the water resistance of your Apple Watch to remain for a longer period.
Wrapping Up
This was all regarding whether you can wear your Apple Watch in the shower or not. If you are just getting a quick shower, there shouldn’t be any issues. If you plan on spending a long day at a water park then we wouldn’t recommend using your watch.
This is because even though these watches are water-resistant, there is still a small chance for them to get damaged by water. And remember, if you have an Apple Watch that is older than Series 2, keep it away from water at all costs. The older models can get damaged by even a few drops of water.
