Everything you need to know about your Apple Watch's water resistance.
Apple Watch can live in the water, but at what depth, and for how long?
From the very first Apple Watch to the most recent Watch Series 10 and Watch Ultra 2, the brand’s smartwatches have provided some protection against water.
However, this doesn’t mean Apple defines the Apple Watch as waterproof. Instead, like most in the industry, the brand describes its Watches as water resistant.
However, this doesn’t mean Apple defines the Apple Watch as waterproof. Instead, like most in the industry, the brand describes its Watches as water-resistant.
‘Water resistance’ typically means protection against water for a certain amount of time and in certain conditions. Technically, something ‘waterproof’ should mean it’s impenetrable by water.
If you’re unsure about the level of protection your Apple Watch model offers and the types of water-based activities it can withstand, this guide is for you. Over the last decade, we’ve tested every version in the water to confirm Apple’s claims. Let’s dive in.
Is Apple Watch Series 10 waterproof?
Apple Watch Series 10 is the brand’s current mid-range smartwatch. It features two size options and offers the largest screen available on any Series device ever released. Each Series 10 model maintains water resistance with a 50-meter ISO rating, but it’s crucial to understand what that means in practice. While it features a built-in Depth app to track your time underwater, Apple officially limits its depth sensor functionality to a maximum of 6 meters (20 feet).
That resistance makes Series 10 suitable for shallow water activities like swimming in a pool or open water, as well as casual, surface-level snorkeling.
You shouldn’t use Series 10 for water-based activities where the watch is exposed to high-pressure environments. You can’t scuba dive with it, nor should you use it for water sports like water skiing.
Apple also reiterates that water protection isn’t permanent and diminishes over time, though it doesn’t specify a lifespan for that protection.
Is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 waterproof?
Apple Watch Ultra 2 and its predecessor, Apple Watch Ultra, are the company’s largest and most rugged smartwatches designed for endurance athletes and adventurers. With this in mind, Apple has enhanced Ultra’s water resistance level beyond what is offered on Series 10.
Both Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 have a water resistance rating that allows them to be submerged in water up to a depth of 100 meters, making them suitable for activities like swimming, showering, and water sports. Thanks to their robust design, they are even built to handle high-velocity water sports like water skiing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing.
The Ultra watches are also suitable for recreational diving at depths of up to 40 meters (130 feet). This is because the Ultra series carries an EN13319 certification, which is the international standard for depth gauges in dive computers.
Is Apple Watch SE waterproof?
Apple Watch SE is Apple’s most affordable smartwatch, offering the same level of water resistance as Apple Watch Series 10.
This provides a water resistance rating that makes it suitable for use in water up to a depth of 50 meters, covering both pool and ocean use.
Unlike its more expensive siblings, it is designed strictly for standard shallow-water-based activities, such as lap swimming in the pool or tracking a swim at the beach.
This is not an Apple Watch suitable for snorkeling or recreational diving, as it lacks the specialized depth tracking hardware and advanced sealing required for deeper exploration. Any activities that involve high-velocity water are also off-limits.
Are older Apple Watches waterproof?
What protection can you expect if you’re not wearing one of the newest Apple Watches? Here’s how the rest of the Apple Watch series models stack up:
Apple Watch and Apple Watch Series 1:
If you still have one of the first-generation Apple Watches or Apple Watch Series 1 (launched in 2016), those Apple smartwatches feature an IPX7-rated design. This means they offer a level of water resistance that makes them suitable for splashing with water and allows for use in the rain or snow. These Apple Watches are not designed for submersion in water.
Apple Watch Series 2 or later:
Apple Watch Series 2 all the way through the standard Series 10 are water-resistant up to 50 meters, making them great for shallow-water activities like lap swimming in a pool or swimming in the ocean. The Series 10 even includes a built-in depth gauge tailored for shallow snorkeling.
However, these standard models cannot handle high-speed water sports or scuba diving. If you want to dive, you will need the Apple Watch Ultra or Ultra 2. The Ultra lineup doubles the water resistance to 100 meters and is explicitly built to handle high-velocity water sports and recreational scuba diving down to 40 meters.
