Is the Apple Watch Series 2 only waterproof once you enter the Swim Workout?

[JoaoF]

I read this on Mashable: "However, before you go diving off the deep end into the nearest pool, understand that the Apple Watch Series 2 is not ready for swimming all the time. Before going for a dip, you need to open the Workout App and select “Open Water Swim” or “Pool Swim.” This basically prepares the Apple Watch for going under the water (up to 50 meters)."
Source: http://mashable.com/2016/09/14/apple-watch-series-2-review/#EsGGhO6TQ8qW

 

[moxxham]

No that isn't true. All the swimming mode does is track your swim and then push the water out of the speaker at the end. It's always swim proof...workout tracking or not

 

[matrix07]

I read this on Mashable: "However, before you go diving off the deep end into the nearest pool, understand that the Apple Watch Series 2 is not ready for swimming all the time. Before going for a dip, you need to open the Workout App and select “Open Water Swim” or “Pool Swim.” This basically prepares the Apple Watch for going under the water (up to 50 meters)."
Source: http://mashable.com/2016/09/14/apple-watch-series-2-review/#EsGGhO6TQ8qW

State of journalism. :shakes my head:

 

[lordofthereef]

Wow...

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

That's hilarious.

 

[FrisbeeK9]

OP is correct:

When it's time to clear the water out of the Apple Watch Series 2, you start turning the digital crown...

IMAGE: LILI SAMS/MASHABLE

...until you hear a tone and see this.

IMAGE: LILI SAMS/MASHABLE

 

[rishiomedia]

I think you are supposed to at least pull up the control slide from the bottom and select the water droplet icon before you take it in the water. That locks the screen because water messes with it and created havoc.

 

[matrix07]

I think you are supposed to at least pull up the control slide from the bottom and select the water droplet icon before you take it in the water. That locks the screen because water messes with it and created havoc.

Nope. You don't have to do that, and nope, doing that doesn't lock the screen.

 

[NikeSG]

You can use it in water at any time. Once you are out of the water, you can slide up to your utilities and select the proper icon to clear your speaker of any water that has made its way into the vents.

 

[rishiomedia]

Nope. You don't have to do that, and nope, doing that doesn't lock the screen.

Are you sure? I saw a video where they showed pushing that droplet icon in Series 2 and it locked the screen until you rolled the crown. I forgot which video it was, I saw many.

 

[matrix07]

Are you sure? I saw a video where they showed pushing that droplet icon in Series 2 and it locked the screen until you rolled the crown. I forgot which video it was, I saw many.

Basically what @NikeSG said above, and I will add that if you want to swim you will select Swim Workout and the watch will lock screen.

 

[rishiomedia]

Basically what @NikeSG said above, and I will add that if you want to swim you will select Swim Workout and the watch will lock screen.

Basically what @NikeSG said above, and I will add that if you want to swim you will select Swim Workout and the watch will lock screen.

That would be unfortunate. I go in lakes often, not to swim but just to float and enjoy. I was hoping there was a lock screen option so I don't need to waste battery in workout mode to prevent the screen from getting unintentional inputs from water. I thought that was what the droplet icon is for. So are you saying the droplet icon in the control panel is solely for squrting out the water and not for locking the screen?

 

[matrix07]

That would be unfortunate. I go in lakes often, not to swim but just to float and enjoy. I was hoping there was a lock screen option so I don't need to waste battery in workout mode to prevent the screen from getting unintentional inputs from water. I thought that was what the droplet icon is for. So are you saying the droplet icon in the control panel is solely for squrting out the water and not for locking the screen?

Yes. It's just a quick way to eject water. Don't think too much. Just floating in the water and casual swim won't have any unintentionally input (much) and if there is, it won't matter since you didn't record any data.

 

[PsychoGates]

Yes. It's just a quick way to eject water. Don't think too much. Just floating in the water and casual swim won't have any unintentionally input (much) and if there is, it won't matter since you didn't record any data.

Wrong, the droplet in control panel locks the screen exactly like starting a water workout. Then you need to turn the crown to unlock which is when the speaker pushes water out. It's literally the exact same as when you start a water workout, no difference.

 

[rishiomedia]

Wrong, the droplet in control panel locks the screen exactly like starting a water workout. Then you need to turn the crown to unlock which is when the speaker pushes water out. It's literally the exact same as when you start a water workout, no difference.

Yes, that's what makes sense to me and what I heard! I'll be using this feature.

 

[NT1440]

No that isn't true. All the swimming mode does is track your swim and then push the water out of the speaker at the end. It's always swim proof...workout tracking or not

Don't forget that it also turns off the touchscreen to avoid water registering as interaction.

 

[matrix07]

Wrong, the droplet in control panel locks screen exactly like starting a water workout. Then you need to turn the crown to unlock which is when the speaker pushes water out. It's literally the exact same as when you start a water workout, no difference.

What you said doesn't make sense. The droplet is ejecting water but you said it will lock the screen and we're needed to turn the crown to unlock screen and eject water "again"?
You start the swim by selecting Swim Workout, obviously so it will record your swim, not by tapping on Droplet icon. The Droplet is for casual swimmer who doesn't record anything so have time to come out of water, dry their hands, then eject.
Also, why do we need two way to starting swim? Does any workouts have two method to start it?

 

[btrach144]

What you said doesn't make sense. The droplet is ejecting water but you said it will lock the screen and we're needed to turn the crown to eject the water "again"?
You start the swim by selecting Swim Workout, obviously so it will record your swim, not by tapping on Droplet icon. The Droplet is for casual swimmer who doesn't record anything so have time to come out of water, dry their hands, then eject.

I'd have to agree with the other posters. From what I've read, you're required to select the droplet icon from control center for general swimming. This will lock your device as well.

If you plan on actually swimming laps, then you can select the swimming workout but the workouts burn through battery quicker so I'd only select the workout method if you're legit swimming laps.

 

[matrix07]

I'd have to agree with the other posters. From what I've read, you're required to select the droplet icon from control center for general swimming. This will lock your device as well.

Hmm.. this's kinda make sense but it will mean some reviewers get it wrong. And it will mean we have no software method to eject water. What if we want to eject water but not swim? Isn't turning the Crown have so many functions when we're not in either of swimming mode?
(And I also wonder why they don't use some kinds of outdoor swim icon instead. Using one drop of water to represent swimming, and locking screen, is a very strange choice)

 

[NikeSG]

That would be unfortunate. I go in lakes often, not to swim but just to float and enjoy. I was hoping there was a lock screen option so I don't need to waste battery in workout mode to prevent the screen from getting unintentional inputs from water. I thought that was what the droplet icon is for. So are you saying the droplet icon in the control panel is solely for squrting out the water and not for locking the screen?

I want to add.. I think I had it slightly wrong. You can select the water droplet icon to lock the screen. Once you are finished, you can then deselect, and the watch will then prompt you to spin the digital crown to emit the frequencies that push out the water from the speaker. In addition, if you are in the water and hadn't selected the droplet icon, you can still run the water clearing diagnostic by toggling the droplet icon once you are out of the water. Hope this helps. In summary, you should have absolutely no worry about getting your watch wet. It's going to be great.

 

[circatee]

It would be poor planning on Apple's part if one had to put the watch in a particular mode, prior to swimming. Imagine a friend pushed you into the pool (as friends do), oh, I forgot to set the 'swim mode' on my watch.

Yeah, there's that...

 

[rishiomedia]

It would be poor planning on Apple's part if one had to put the watch in a particular mode, prior to swimming. Imagine a friend pushed you into the pool (as friends do), oh, I forgot to set the 'swim mode' on my watch.

Yeah, there's that...

There is nobody saying you have to put the watch in this mode to protect the watch. It will just prevent it from wasting battery or the screen being activated and doing some undesired action like calling someone. Water makes touch screens behave weird and no one has solved this problem yet so Apple gives you the option of locking the screen before you enter the water. That's why every water workout mode locks the screen as well. Of course the watch will not be damaged if you don't lock it.

 

[NicolasLGA]

There is nobody saying you have to put the watch in this mode to protect the watch. It will just prevent it from wasting battery or the screen being activated and doing some undesired action like calling someone. Water makes touch screens behave weird and no one has solved this problem yet so Apple gives you the option of locking the screen before you enter the water. That's why every water workout mode locks the screen as well. Of course the watch will not be damaged if you don't lock it.

Please reread the thread... there is as least 2-3 people that think that way and at least one review that mentions it.

(Me I'm convinced the Apple Watch is waterproof either way).

 

[Julien]

Please reread the thread... there is as least 2-3 people that think that way and at least one review that mentions it.

(Me I'm convinced the Apple Watch is waterproof either way).

Yes, if not then it is a FAR step backwards from the original. For those who are wrongly concerned just watch the original in a 'real' swim test.

 

[insomniac86]

Wow unbelievable how many of you are confused on this. It's really quite simple...

Here are the facts:

The watch series 2 is always water resistant up to 50m. it doesn't need to shut any magical doors to make it waterproof by turning on a swim mode.

There is a water drop in control centre this locks the screen. This locks the screen so that if you want to take a shower, go running in the rain or even swim (without a workout) you can without droplets navigating your screen (opening stuff up etc).

Once you are dry, you then disable the "droplet lock" by turning the crown multiple times. This activates the speaker to pump out any water.

That's it folks.
You don't need to have this on to be water resistant. And you don't need to start out a workout.