Can I swim with the Apple Watch SE? [Final Answer]

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Is the Apple Watch SE waterproof? The Apple Watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters. Understanding water resistance is very important when buying an Apple Watch. According to international standards, water resistance should mean a product is water resistant up to 50 meters.

Does this mean my Apple Watch is safe for scuba diving? No, not necessary. What we are talking about here is surface water pressure. If you plan to go scuba diving, other pressures are involved. For example, your Apple Watch is acceptable for your swimming workout, but diving and high-velocity water activities do not go hand in hand with your Apple Watch. They can cause water damage to the acoustic membranes and other parts of the watch.

Let’s find out more about the Apple Watch SE and how to best look after your Apple Watch in and around the water.

Apple Watch SE
  • WHY APPLE WATCH SE — It has essential features to keep you connected, active, and healthy. SE is...
  • EASILY CUSTOMIZABLE — Available in a range of sizes and colors, with dozens of bands to choose...
  • SIMPLY COMPATIBLE — It works seamlessly with your Apple devices and services. Listen to music with...
  • GREAT DURABILITY — Swimproof and built to be tough. Take it on a hike, hit the gym, or catch some...
  • ULTIMATE FITNESS PARTNER — Apple Watch helps you stay active. It has advanced sensors that track...

Last update on 2023-01-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How Can I Use My Apple Watch When it Comes to Water-Based Sports? 

Apple makes it clear that their Apple Watches are not meant for extreme water sports. So, for instance, if you are a professional diver, buying an Apple Watch to go diving is not the right choice for you. 

Apple also clearly does not guarantee its watches for activities such as waterfall climbing, kayaking, scuba diving, and water skiing. All activities involving high-velocity water can interfere with the effectiveness of the water resistance of your Apple Watch SE. 

Before buying any Apple watch, it is best to make sure you buy an Apple Watch Series suitable for your sporting activities. Thanks to continued product development, many Apple Watch Series are available. 

How Long Can My Apple Watch SE Stay Underwater? 

To be on the safe side, you should not venture more than 5 meters down. According to other Apple users, the safe time period you are looking at is about 30 minutes. In general, the deeper you go with your Apple Watch SE, the less time you can spend at deeper depths. 

It is essential to understand how water pressure works when diving and swimming. As long as the watch is on your wrist, you will encounter water resistance as you swim. This adds to the water pressure and increases when there is a current or heavy waterfall. Even if you are climbing a waterfall, the pressure on your watch is not static. Depending on the rate of the fall of the water and the amount of water, the pressure can be higher or lower. 

Is It Okay to Swim with the Apple Watch SE in the Ocean? 

It is okay to swim with your Apple Watch in the ocean. But, according to Apple, the watch’s water-resistance membrane may not stand up to other activities. For example, if you are board-surfing or belly-surfing, your Apple Watch may encounter pressure exceeding its safe limits. 

At first, this sounds odd, but it is true. Don’t forget that when waves crash over you or you jump into the water quickly, the water pressure increases fast. This is partly due to the water velocity factor. 

Can I Swim In A Pool Wearing An Apple Watch SE? 

The Apple Watch SE is perfect for swimming in the pool. As the Apple Watch has a built-in heart sensor, it continues monitoring your heart as you swim. 

Should you do water aerobics while wearing your Apple Watch? This is a much more delicate question. No matter what Apple Watch Series you have, leaving your watch on dry land is best if you plan to do water aerobics. If you move your arms around a lot and maybe even break the water surface, you are exercising, taking part in a high-velocity activity. It is easy to overlook this, but when you move your arms around when doing water aerobics, your arms and hands can hit the water at a surprisingly high speed. 

Can I dive from the high board wearing my Apple Watch SE? Unfortunately, the answer to that question is no. A watch from the Apple Watch Series is not meant for high-speed diving in freshwater or the ocean. However, surface swimming in the ocean or freshwater is absolutely fine. 

Can I Make My Apple Watch Waterproof? 

There is no way you can make the Apple Watch waterproof.

Any watch which is not built waterproof can’t be turned into a waterproof watch. Should you try to do this, and the watch ends up taking on water, you have invalidated the guarantee of your watch.

If you truly want a waterproof watch, you must invest in a professional diver’s watch instead. But, to be honest, you will not get as much out of the user experience when it comes to swimming and other exercises. A diver’s watch is not a fitness tracker. Yes, it may tell you the depth and the pressure, but it will not provide you with other fitness data. 

Is the Apple Watch waterproof automatically? 

Remember, we said that the Apple Watch is water resistant. Unfortunately, that means you must set up the water lock on your watch to ensure the water can’t get into the speakers and other internal functions. 

This is how you set up the water lock:

  • Swipe up from the bottom of the screen. This reveals the control center. 
  • Tap on the water drop icon.

When you want to take the water lock off, you turn the digital crown in any direction. You will notice the on-screen animation filling up. Once the water lock is off, the Apple Watch emits a sound that clears any dislodged water inside the speaker. 

Do I Need to Switch It On Before I Take a Shower? 

Yes, you should switch it on before you take a shower. Also, as your Apple Watch has a speaker, you should switch on the lock in heavy rain. Many forget to do this, but it is surprisingly easy for rainwater to get into your Apple Watch. 

Can I Enable Water Lock During A Work Out? 

If you are working out in the open and think it is going to rain, you should always switch on the lock before starting the workout. Making sure you don’t have to worry about water getting into your watch is easy. You can do so from the workout menu, and this is how to do it:

  • Launch the workout app and tap on the workout type. 
  • Wait for the countdown to finish and the workout to begin. 
  • Now, swipe right on the workout summary screen just like you would do if you were going to end your workout. 
  • You will see the lock button in the top left corner. It is the one with the water drop on it. Tap on it and go back to your workout. 

Can Salt Get Stuck In My Apple Watch When I Go Swimming? 

Yes, it can. If you have been swimming wearing your Apple Watch in salty water, it is best to ensure all salt crystals are ejected. You can do this by locking and unlocking your watch multiple times. That buzzing sound is, in fact, what cleans the speakers. 

The same thing goes for when you have had a shower or bath. If soapy residue has built up in the external speaker parts or other functions, it is best to ensure they are clean. After you have unlocked and locked the watch multiple times, you should clean it. 

How to Clean Your Apple Watch

Use a lint-free cloth with a small amount of clear water. Don’t press on the watch; it is best to do this when it is locked. Cleaning the watch also ensures there is no residue left on the sensors of your watch. 

What If I Fall in the Water Accidentally? Are Apple Watches Still Water Resistant?

The Apple Watch series stays water resistant whether the water lock is on or not. This helps to prevent accidental taps and unwanted water interaction. 

Does that mean you should not turn on the water lock for your swim workout? Turning on the water lock for a swim workout is still recommended. 

If you accidentally fall into the water, you should enable the water lock and disable it to ensure any water is cleaned out. 

What Bands Are Best For Apple Watch Swimming and Water Sports? 

Stainless steel and leather bands are not water resistant. Therefore, if your main physical activity is water-based, it is best to buy a water-resistant band. 

If your primary pursuit when wearing your watch is water sports, it is essential to choose the appropriate band. 

What is the best band? Using a slightly rugged band is best to ensure your watch does not fall off while swimming in the ocean. Start by looking at the watch clasp to ensure it is secure. 

When you have found the band with the best watch clasp, it is important to make sure you check out the strap. Preferably, the strap should be easy to clean. Watch straps that have too many sections are harder to keep clean. 

The best watch bands for the Apple Watch SE are made from silicon. They are easy to care for and less likely to deteriorate quickly. What you need to bear in mind is that not all bands are perfect for ocean swimming. Slimmer silicone watch bands quickly become brittle when you wear them a lot.

As we mentioned, it is best to ensure your choice of watch band is hard-wearing. But, without a doubt, it needs to be waterproof. 

Final Thoughts

The Apple Watch SE is certainly a good watch from Apple. It is perfect for shallow depth use. However, it is best to invest in a diver’s watch when diving. Also, remember that water resistance means it is resistant to water up to 50 meters. Make sure you wear it the right way. Don’t try to use it differently than what Apple recommends.