Apple's Water Lock article says Water Lock stops the touchscreen responding while you are wet, so water cannot press buttons on the display. It turns on automatically for a water-based workout such as swimming or surfing, and for a scuba dive on an Ultra. To turn it on yourself, press the side button to open Control Center and tap the water droplet. To turn it off, press and hold the Digital Crown until the display says Unlocked; a series of tones plays to push water out of the speaker.
On watchOS 8 or earlier you rotate the crown instead. Tap and wrist flick gestures do not work while Water Lock is on. The watch is water resistant, not waterproof: Apple lists 50 meters for the Series 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and SE 2, and 100 meters for the Ultra and Ultra 2, which are also rated for recreational diving to 40 meters. The Ultra's case holes are for depth measurement.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple Watch water lock, swimming or water exposure is not working correctly”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Water Lock is still on
What separates it The screen ignores taps after you leave the water
How to confirm Press and hold the Digital Crown until it says Unlocked
- 2
Water is in the speaker
What separates it The sound is muffled after swimming because water is in the speaker
How to confirm Eject water with the crown, place the watch speaker-side down on a cloth and let it dry
- 3
The wrong depth or activity for the rating
What separates it The watch fogs or fails after diving or a water sport
How to confirm Only the Ultra is rated to 100 meters; other models are 50 meters
- 4
Soap, shampoo or heat degraded the seals
What separates it Water gets in after normal use because soap, shampoo or heat degraded the seals
How to confirm Stop using it in the shower and hot water, and service it
- 5
Damage to the case or glass
What separates it Moisture appears inside because of damage to the case or glass
How to confirm Stop using it and book service, since the seal may be damaged
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What you did in the water and for how long
- Whether the display shows a droplet or the crown does not unlock
- Whether the speaker, microphone or touch fail while dry
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck Water Lock
ReversibleCheck Water Lock, by looking for the droplet at the top of the watch face.
Unlock it
ReversibleUnlock it, by pressing and holding the Digital Crown until the display says Unlocked, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Eject water
ReversibleEject water, by listening for the tones and placing the watch speaker side down on a lint free cloth.
Dry the watch
ReversibleWipe it dry, do not use heat or compressed air, and let it air dry.
Charge it overnight
ReversibleCharge it overnight, since Apple says that charging can speed up evaporation of water, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Restart
ReversibleRestart, by restarting the watch if the touchscreen still misbehaves after it dries, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Book service after damage
ReversibleBook service after damage, and if water got in, or the crown or a button sticks, book service.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Water rating by model
- Apple's tech specs: 100 meters and dive to 40 meters on the Ultra and Ultra 2; 50 meters under ISO 22810:2010 on the Series 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and SE 2; the Series 7 and 8 are also IP6X dust resistant.
- Ultra depth hardware
- The Ultra models carry a depth gauge and water temperature sensor that use openings in the case; Apple says not to insert anything into the case holes.
- Repair cost
- Unlocking and drying cost nothing. Water damage is service: Apple's out-of-warranty battery service is $99 and repair fees ran from $199 for an SE 2 to $499 for an Ultra at launch, per MacRumors; AppleCare+ incidents were $79 on an Ultra.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch Series 6.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If moisture appears under the glass, stop using the watch and book service
- !If the crown will not unlock Water Lock, force restart and then book service
- !If the speaker stays muffled after drying, use the speaker page
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Turning Water Lock on and off and ejecting water.
Drying the watch and speaker ports.
100 meters and recreational dive to 40 meters.
50 meters under ISO 22810:2010.
The Apple Watch line and its generations.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I turn Water Lock on?+
Press the side button to open Control Center and tap the water droplet.
Does Water Lock start automatically?+
Yes for water workouts such as swimming and surfing, and for a scuba dive on an Ultra.
What are the water ratings?+
Apple lists 50 meters for the Series 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and SE 2, and 100 meters for the Ultra and Ultra 2.
Can I dive with any Apple Watch?+
Apple lists recreational diving to 40 meters on the Ultra and Ultra 2 only.
Can I shower with it?+
Soap, shampoo and heat can degrade the seals, so Apple recommends avoiding them.
Why is the speaker muffled?+
Water may be in the speaker port. Eject water and dry it, per Apple.
Should I use a hairdryer?+
No. Apple says not to use heat or compressed air on the ports.
What are the tones?+
A series of tones plays to clear water from the speaker.
What if the watch stays wet inside?+
Stop using it and book service.