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Practical advice on "Waterproof"

Shower with it most days, swim with it. Go in the ocean with it. Never had any issues.
akash.nu said:
Why do people wear watches while taking shower?!
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I wear it all the time, to me the question would be why would I take it off if I don’t have to?
 
I wore my S3 all the time at the Disney water parks this summer going down water slides and swimming in the wave pool. (we live nearby and go a lot). No issues. Will be doing the same with my S5.
 
russell_314 said:
I've learned this the hard way. Water resistant on a phone does not mean you can take it in the water. It's water resistant like you can spill a soda on it.
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Hazmat401 said:
yeah... its one of the things I hope apple improves upon in the future
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This is so true. Apple markets the device as if you can go to a swimming pool etc with the phone and so many YouTube content creators did the same as well without any issues but in case you take it and water leaks in then apple doesn’t cover that under warranty.
 
Thanks for all the answers. I just swapped up from an S2 and it had no problems either. I'm not worried, just wondering. The battery and the seals are the main failure points and I want this one to last forever. :)
 
Washing your hands with the Apple Watch should be perfectly fine. But the key also just thoroughly dry it off when you’re through. The problem with the Apple Watch, is certain types of lotions and cleansers can degrade the seals/acoustic membranes overtime.

support.apple.com

How to clean your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Cleaning your Apple Watch keeps it working properly and can fix some common issues.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
 
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Relentless Power said:
Washing your hands with the Apple Watch should be perfectly fine. But the key also just thoroughly dry it off when you’re through. The problem with the Apple Watch, is certain types of lotions and cleansers can degrade the seals/acoustic membranes overtime.

support.apple.com

How to clean your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Cleaning your Apple Watch keeps it working properly and can fix some common issues.
support.apple.com support.apple.com
Click to expand...

Right. That was the point I was questioning. Soaps, even plain hand soap can degrade the seals. Does anyone know if Apple has hard data on this?
Hopefully Apple will figure out how to do the button and crown as virtual switches.
 
Crowbot said:
Does anyone know if Apple has hard data on this?
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I mean, you’re talking recommendations Apple is making from an engineer standpoint to not subject the watch to certain fluids. I doubt anyone here could provide you anything otherwise other than there own anecdotal experiences/opinions. From my standpoint (And with 5 Plus Apple Watches owned), I wouldn’t overthink it, if something comes in contact with the watch, just use caution and clean/dry it properly.
 
My S3 has just moved to being an emergency device in case something happens to my new S5.

I swam with that watch 3-4 times a week for an hour each session. I never used soap on it other than might happen in the shower after a swim session and always gave it a good rinse in fresh water after the swim session/shower.

The new S5 has started the same routine and whilst noting that exposure to liquids and possibly even chlorinated water will effect the seals over a period of time if the device lasts through it's AppleCare period that's fine because I'll be upgrading it at that point.

There's no built in obsolescence here, it's as good as they can make it, but realistically the tech will probably age out before the watch breaks.
 
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Had my s3 since a few weeks after launch. I shower in it every day, I swim in it, I swim in the ocean in it, and I often forget to even turn the crown to eject water from the microphone. I’ve had no problems so far.
 
KeepCalmPeople said:
Had my s3 since a few weeks after launch. I shower in it every day, I swim in it, I swim in the ocean in it, and I often forget to even turn the crown to eject water from the microphone. I’ve had no problems so far.
Click to expand...

Good info. Salt water and soap were my two main concerns. I always take a bit of pride that my devices look as good after 2 years as they did when they came out of the box.
 
akash.nu said:
Why do people wear watches while taking shower?!
Click to expand...
Let’s say you have a specific heart/health condition, you are living alone, you bought the S4 or the S5 solely for the fall detection feature and your life may depend on it... You would be wearing your AW at all times, right?
To answer OP‘s question... I have been swimming, showering, shoveling the snow, biking under the rain, doing the dishes and all that. No issues or whatsoever. If you wanted to have the extra peace of mind, you can MANUALLY turn on Water Lock (swipe up from the bottom of your AW screen and tap on the water icon) prior to your water related activities. When you are done, simply twist the crown until you see the ”unlock” animation so that your crown, side button and touch screen are functional again.
Hope it helps!
 
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deeddawg said:
I think biggest things are that the contact with soap is incidental, ensure it's rinsed with fresh water, and then when you're all done do the water-clearing procedure. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205000
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Thanks. I didn't think to do water clearing when just washing up but I'll keep that in mind. I'm still a bit amazed that something like this can be waterproofed. I'm still not sure I'd feel comfortable showering with it but that's just me. ;)
 
Crowbot said:
Thanks. I didn't think to do water clearing when just washing up but I'll keep that in mind. I'm still a bit amazed that something like this can be waterproofed. I'm still not sure I'd feel comfortable showering with it but that's just me. ;)
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Yeah, I have to nitpick, it’s not ‘waterproof’, it’s water resistant. The FTC does not allow any manufactured watch to be waterproof in United States, the Apple Watch is simply rated for 50 m water resistance, which I gather you know that, but the misconception is that waterproof and water resistant are the same thing, when they’re not.

Simple article explains this in addition:

beckertime.com

Why There Are Not Any Waterproof Watches

Is your watch waterproof or water resistant? How is a watch's water resistance rated? Learn more about these ratings with great tips to maintain your watch.
beckertime.com beckertime.com
 
don't jump off at 35' cliff into a lake with it on. Watch band might give out on you, mine did.
 
Relentless Power said:
Yeah, I have to nitpick, it’s not ‘waterproof’, it’s water resistant. The FTC does not allow any manufactured watch to be waterproof in United States, the Apple Watch is simply rated for 50 m water resistance, which I gather you know that, but the misconception is that waterproof and water resistant are the same thing, when they’re not.

Simple article explains this in addition:

beckertime.com

Why There Are Not Any Waterproof Watches

Is your watch waterproof or water resistant? How is a watch's water resistance rated? Learn more about these ratings with great tips to maintain your watch.
beckertime.com beckertime.com
Click to expand...

As a service tech for 35 years I understand that "proof" doesn't mean proof. I used to say at work that "Nothing is nurse-proof".
The Watch does say "WR 50M" on the back so Apple knows the difference. And I doubt I would ever be 50m underwater. :)
 
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