Apple Watch Water Damage

[surfer369]

Hi all,
I was on vacation and while spending time with my kid in the kids pool my apple watch sport a few times went in and out of the water. I thought it would be fine as the watch is supposed to be water resistant upto 30meters. But I was wrong, the screen turned into a cloud like screen and when I put it in charge after drying it out, the charge with a long line symbol appeared and then it went blank and now has a block of pixels on the top left that may be damaged. I went to the genius bar and the warranty is expired so repair would cost $199. I wont pay $199 for repairs on a$350 watch. he did say that some credit card companies would extend the warranty to 2 years so I have to call and see what can be done. If the credit card company wont extend the warranty then I will look to buy something else, maybe a fitbit.

Until the apple watch broke, I didn't know how much I used it and now miss have a wearable device.

So which fitbit would you guys recommend if this watch cant be fixed.

 

[mattopotamus]

So a few things. It is 1 meter (3 feet) up to 30 minutes. I have been using my SS in the pool, shower, beach, etc without issues; however, apple is clear the watch is not support to be water proof despite the rating. The only reason I risk it is b.c I have applecare+.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

So a few things. It is 1 meter (3 feet) up to 30 minutes. I have been using my SS in the pool, shower, beach, etc without issues; however, apple is clear the watch is not support to be water proof despite the rating. The only reason I risk it is b.c I have applecare+.

They merely say "submerging the watch is not recommended." It is indeed rated waterproof to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes and they're obligated to warrant it as such.

OP, yes the CC company is your best bet as it's supposed to mirror the standard warranty for one year, and the warranty covers water ingress incurred within the IPX7 rating. Just don't tell them you took it to 30 meters because that's an automatic denial (outside the IPX7 specifications).

 

[mattopotamus]

They merely say "submerging the watch is not recommended." It is indeed rated waterproof to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes and they're obligated to warrant it as such.

OP, yes the CC company is your best bet as it's supposed to mirror the standard warranty for one year, and the warranty covers water ingress incurred within the IPX7 rating. Just don't tell them you took it to 30 meters because that's an automatic denial (outside the IPX7 specifications).

I'm hoping he made a typo and the "kiddie" pool is not 30 meters

 

[surfer369]

I'm hoping he made a typo and the "kiddie" pool is not 30 meters

yeah that is a typo and thanks for confirming that the credit card company will extend the warranty.
Should I tell them it is water damaged? the credit card company I mean.

 

[mattopotamus]

yeah that is a typo and thanks for confirming that the credit card company will extend the warranty.
Should I tell them it is water damaged? the credit card company I mean.

Yeah, you can tell them that. Just be sure to mention the fact the standard warranty covers water damage within the IPX7 rating and that you were within those specs.

 

[Gav2k]

You could get it changed in the Apple Store if you skip the in and out of the pool part and just say you followed the sticky dial guide on apples website and the screen fogged up after

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

You could get it changed in the Apple Store if you skip the in and out of the pool part and just say you followed the sticky dial guide on apples website and the screen fogged up after

The OP is out of warranty and the CC extended warranty is the only recourse short of coughing up the replacement price.

 

[Gav2k]

The OP is out of warranty and the CC extended warranty is the only recourse short of coughing up the replacement price.

So he is.

 

[jbachandouris]

Honestly, I'd like OP to define a 'few' times on and out of the water as there was a thread posted earlier from people that swam with it and had no problems.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Honestly, I'd like OP to define a 'few' times on and out of the water as there was a thread posted earlier from people that swam with it and had no problems.

It only takes one time if the AW was defective to begin with. A number of AW came with defective glue attaching the back cover and they of course croaked immediately when subject to water, especially if the owners don't normally shower/swim with it and the defective glue hasn't weakened to the point that the back cover comes off.

It's a good idea to do a "water stress test" when getting your new AW, especially if you don't plan to swim/shower with it. Simply immerse it in a glass of water for 20 minutes or so. The water damage will reveal itself if it's defective to begin with and you can simply swap out under warranty.

 

[mattopotamus]

It only takes one time if the AW was defective to begin with. A number of AW came with defective glue attaching the back cover and they of course croaked immediately when subject to water, especially if the owners don't normally shower/swim with it and the defective glue hasn't weakened to the point that the back cover comes off.

It's a good idea to do a "water stress test" when getting your new AW, especially if you don't plan to swim/shower with it. Simply immerse it in a glass of water for 20 minutes or so. The water damage will reveal itself if it's defective to begin with and you can simply swap out under warranty.

This. I would actually suggest putting your apple watch in water early on. It stinks to be in the OPs situation outside of warranty.

 

[jbachandouris]

It only takes one time if the AW was defective to begin with. A number of AW came with defective glue attaching the back cover and they of course croaked immediately when subject to water, especially if the owners don't normally shower/swim with it and the defective glue hasn't weakened to the point that the back cover comes off.

It's a good idea to do a "water stress test" when getting your new AW, especially if you don't plan to swim/shower with it. Simply immerse it in a glass of water for 20 minutes or so. The water damage will reveal itself if it's defective to begin with and you can simply swap out under warranty.

Not sure I'd even bring my watch to the pool (still have a G-Shock for that), but this is good information.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

This. I would actually suggest putting your apple watch in water early on. It stinks to be in the OPs situation outside of warranty.

That's exactly what I wrote. See the bold part:

It's a good idea to do a "water stress test" when getting your new AW, especially if you don't plan to swim/shower with it. Simply immerse it in a glass of water for 20 minutes or so. The water damage will reveal itself if it's defective to begin with and you can simply swap out under warranty.

 

[mattopotamus]

That's exactly what I wrote. See the bold part:

I was quoting you to agree

 

[lordofthereef]

In response to your Fitbit question, what is it you miss about your aw? I have a Fitbit blaze and love it. I have no interest in apps, I have great interest in fitness tracking, heart rate, and receiving texts. The only thing I wish the blaze did that the AW does better is send texts; unfortunately this is an iOS restriction though and the same can be said even about android wear.

I agree. They're repair prices are ridiculous considering the cost of a new device. Meanwhile Fitbit will send you a new device if you take pics and tell them what's wrong with it. Incredible customer service there, but that's for another thread.

 

[RiddlaBronc]

I wash my watch under gentle water on a daily basis because i sweat a lot when working out. No problems here. Even apple says tonwash it under a slight stream of water

 

[Newtons Apple]

If looking for a Fitbit the Blaze or Charge HR have the same fitness features, though I prefer the charge HR due to its smaller size. The Blaze has a bright and colorful screen but lack customization. Harmon also has a new Vivosmart HR+ with wrist based HR and built in GPS that I am looking at but it is a bit bigger.

 

[jimmie32]

It only takes one time if the AW was defective to begin with. A number of AW came with defective glue attaching the back cover and they of course croaked immediately when subject to water, especially if the owners don't normally shower/swim with it and the defective glue hasn't weakened to the point that the back cover comes off.

It's a good idea to do a "water stress test" when getting your new AW, especially if you don't plan to swim/shower with it. Simply immerse it in a glass of water for 20 minutes or so. The water damage will reveal itself if it's defective to begin with and you can simply swap out under warranty.

Indeed I was almost out of warranty and accidentally dropped the watch in water and it immediately began showing symptoms, first by losing all taptic engine response, then accelerometer and touch over the next couple of days. It seems like some batches are destined to fail since they are not sealed correctly. Luckily it was replaced IW, but I was just a couple of weeks (!) away from being out of warranty.

 

[burgman]

So he is.

It was so cool though

 

[bnekic]

Driving back from vacation now, I had my watch on when I went into the pool. Didn't swim laps or anything just hung out in the pool. As I'm driving back a bubble starting forming under the glass towards the top right and now the display is messed up. I thought this watch was going to be much more water resistant

 

[Newtons Apple]

Driving back from vacation now, I had my watch on when I went into the pool. Didn't swim laps or anything just hung out in the pool. As I'm driving back a bubble starting forming under the glass towards the top right and now the display is messed up. I thought this watch was going to be much more water resistant

It is. You got one that was not sealed properly. Take it to Apple and they will repair or replace. I have washed mine and even done some pool and not a bit of a problem. Have people here who swim and shower all the time with their watches and never had a problem. Yours is simply defective and Apple will take care of it.

 

[questioner76]

Funny, the exact same thing just happened to me on Monday. I've actually been casually swimming with my apple watch since I got it in May 2015. I would jump in the pool forgetting I was wearing it and then take it off. Looks like I did it 50 times too many, part of the screen is blotched and the touch interface is wonky. I'm glad you mentioned calling the CC company because mine has the extended warranty as well so hopefully it will be covered.

 

[rockyromero]

Funny, the exact same thing just happened to me on Monday. I've actually been casually swimming with my apple watch since I got it in May 2015. I would jump in the pool forgetting I was wearing it and then take it off. Looks like I did it 50 times too many, part of the screen is blotched and the touch interface is wonky. I'm glad you mentioned calling the CC company because mine has the extended warranty as well so hopefully it will be covered.

I've considered a waterproof AW case like this.

http://www.catalystcase.com/products/catalyst-case-for-apple-watch-42mm

I already have a spigen case that may shield it from water.

It's a possibility going forward.

➰

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

I've considered a waterproof AW case like this.

http://www.catalystcase.com/products/catalyst-case-for-apple-watch-42mm

I already have a spigen case that may shield it from water.

It's a possibility going forward.

➰

A defect-free AW is already waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Additionally, this case won't help with the other common consequence of getting a unit with defective glue, which involves the back cover detaching.

You might as well swap out for a non-defective unit as needed under the standard warranty/AC+/CC extended warranty.