“The most common question I get about my Apple Watch is this: ‘Is it waterproof?'” Craig Hockenberry blogs for furbo.org. “Everyone from followers on Twitter to Laguna Beach lifeguards have noticed that I wear my watch while swimming and want to know how this new device holds up when it comes in contact with 71% of the Earth’s surface.”
“Swimming is my favorite way to work out, so I knew I’d want to use the watch in the water. But there wasn’t much information available other than Tim Cook saying he wore his in the shower,” Hockenberry writes. “Luckily, as the watch got closer to shipment, a key piece of information was published in the user guide: ‘Submerging Apple Watch is not recommended. Apple Watch has a water resistance rating of IPX7 under IEC standard 60529. The leather bands are not water resistant. Water resistance is not a permanent condition and Apple Watch cannot be rechecked or resealed for water resistance.'”
“A little bit of research shows that “IPX7 under IEC standard 60529″ means the watch can be submerged in 1 meter (3.3 feet) of water for up to 30 minutes. That’s certainly more than a shower and perfect for the kind of swimming I do,” Hockenberry writes. “After the watch shipped, I discovered that I wasn’t the only person interested in the watch’s ability to be used during swim workouts. Ray Maker at the DC Rainmaker blog did a series of tests, including diving off a 10 meter (33 foot) platform and 40 meter (130 foot) pressure test. The Apple Watch passed these tests with flying colors, and along with the research below, I was convinced I wouldn’t have any problems. So far, that analysis has proven correct.”
“I suspect that the watch’s water resistance has been undersold by Apple just like battery life: it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver,” Hockenberry writes. “The following research is focused on the Apple Watch Sport. The other models use different materials for both the case and display face. I suspect most people who are interested in using their watch in water will own the Sport model.”
Tons more testing, data, photos, and video in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We’ve been taking our Apple Watches off, just to be safe, when showering. After reading this, no more!
We look forward to the added boost that Apple Watch-clad showers will deliver to our Activity apps!
Swam and showered a bunch with mine and when I made a phone call with it recently, could barely hear the other person. That was two days ago so I’m not sure if it has improved or not.
That’s suprising as sound travels well in water
Yes, but very bad when crossing between air and water (or vise versa).
You have to allow AW becoming wet again only after it dries out.
This is great because I always take a shower with my watch on. Also with any jewelry such as necklaces and rings, and my prescription glasses.
It’s just so darn difficult and time consuming to remove them.
I agree! In fact, I don’t even take my clothes off to shower!
It’s just so darn difficult and time consuming to remove them!
Wash and wear is wonderful. Drippy, but wonderful.
Wear and wash is even more wonderfuller!
It’s much more efficient that way. Just like saving those seconds grabbing for your phone instead of your watch is much more efficient.
Funny😄
You wouldn’t want to clean your wrist underneath the band anyway. That’s Apple Sweat there!
” it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver,”
Kinda microsoft.. o wait, microsoft did exactly the oposite, over-promise and under-deliver.
Don’t be impatient! Microsoft promises it will work in the next version.
Oh good. Unfortunately for me, I had to swap my iPhone out because of hardware issues. All of my Achievements are gone. I know! Doesn’t sounds like a big deal but that was months of data gone and now I’m not sure if that means my Watch needs to relearn. We talked about my Watch and all at the Apple Store and it never dawned on me to ask that specific of a question.
You didn’t sync to iTunes for a backup?
I did sync it and I backed it up. My sure what happened. I was wondering if I could use a slightly older backup that I still have. Worth a shot?
Like I said, they did replace my iPhone because of some hardware issues so I can only wonder if that’s what caused the issue.
Has anyone seen a water-torture test of the Apple Watch where it failed specifically due to the water (and not other abuse)?
If I don’t see one soon, I’m going to take one scuba diving specifically to see at what depth/length of time it fails.
As someone who swims, this is welcome news. Still not sure I am ready to risk ruining my $400 Watch based on this, though. Kind of hoping someone will come up with a waterproof case.
Just wrap a Hefty bag around your wrist and secure it with a nice, thick rubber band. Plus, it will act like a flipper, although you may find yourself turning left.
Good advice!
I want to use my iPad in the shower. Think I’ll give it a go.
That would be exceedingly stupid, and, if you were attempting humor, just stop it. Thank you.
I’ve been wake surfing with mine for weeks now. No problemo
For me, water- and shock-proofing have been deal breakers so far.
Maybe not for much longer…