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Can I Shower With My Apple Watch? 5 Surprising Facts (2023)

Can I Shower With My Apple Watch

While some prefer their shower time to be quiet and peaceful…

Others would rather blast music or talk to friends while bathing. 

And both of which you can do with an Apple Watch.

But how safe is it really to wear that device in the shower?

Keep reading to find out:

  • How resistant Apple Watches are to water.
  • 5 surprising facts about showering with an Apple Watch.
  • What actually happens if you wear your Apple Watch in the shower.
  • And a lot more…

Can I shower with my Apple Watch?

You can shower with your Apple Watch. All models starting from the Series 1 are water-resistant. So they can withstand the splashes of water in the shower. However, know that some chemicals in soaps and shampoos may cause damage to your watch. So it’s still better to take it off before you bathe.

What happens if I shower with an Apple Watch?

What happens if you shower with an Apple Watch is it’ll work like usual. Even the earliest models have enough resistance to handle the water from the shower. So you can use your smartwatch’s apps or make or take calls even while you’re bathing.

Now, I know some are worried their smartwatch might glitch or even get damaged in the shower.

And if you’re among them… 

Let me assure you that you could put those fears to rest.

Apple designed these watches to survive moisture, at least to an extent. And the amount of water in an average shower isn’t enough to damage these smartwatches.

But don’t just take my word for it. 

Instead, watch this fun video on what it’s like to shower while wearing an Apple Watch:

You might also like: Can You Shower With AirPods? 5 Surprising Answers


Is the Apple Watch waterproof?


The Apple Watch isn’t waterproof. So you can’t submerge it in liquid for an extended period. However, this smartwatch is water-resistant. And because of that, it’ll still work even if you wear it in the shower. Just note that its level of resistance to water decreases over time.

I know the words waterproof and water-resistant can be confusing sometimes. In fact, I’ve heard some people use those terms interchangeably.

But the reality is, there’s a big difference between the 2.

What waterproof means

It implies that it doesn’t matter how long you submerge a device. Or how deep it’s underwater.

It’ll continue to function like normal. And you won’t have to worry about damage from moisture.

Some of the most notable waterproof gadgets include:

  • Fitbit Flex 2.
  • Amazon Kindle Oasis.
  • JBL Flip 4 Bluetooth Speaker.
  • GoPro HERO Session Camera.
  • Swimbuds SPORT Headphones.

What water resistance means

This term signifies that an object can tolerate some exposure to water. However, there are limitations. And too much moisture will eventually cause defects.

Now, there are actually levels to a device’s water resistance. 

Some can only handle a few droplets. Such as sweat or drizzle. While others can withstand being submerged for several minutes at certain depths. 

You’ll know your device’s water resistance level by checking out its specifications. You can find it either on the user manual or the manufacturer’s official website.

The water resistance level of Apple Watch models

There’s no such thing as a waterproof Apple device.

However, most of this tech giant’s products are at least water-resistant. It’s why you can shower with AirPods. Or wear your Apple Watch while taking a bath.

But how resistant to water are these smartwatches?

Well, it depends on the model.

The 1st generation Apple Watch and the Series 1 are both IPX7-certified.

That rating means they can survive being submerged under 3 ft (1 m) of water. Provided, of course, that they don’t stay there for more than half an hour.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 2 to 7 have an even better water resistance rating. 

You can drown them under 164 ft (50 m). And they will still work fine.

But as impressive as they are, though…

They still pale in comparison to the Apple Watch Ultra.

This expensive smartwatch has a water resistance rating of 328 ft (100 m). And that’s why it’s fine to wear it even in activities like scuba diving and water skiing.

Clearing up a misconception about waterproofing and water resistance

There’s 1 more thing I’d like to emphasize about this topic. And it’s this:

Just because a device is waterproof or water-resistant… 

Doesn’t mean it can handle all types of liquids. 

Water is free of chemicals that can harm your smartwatch. But you can’t say the same for other substances.

In fact, Apple warns against exposing your device to the following liquids:

  • Lotion.
  • Perfume.
  • Shampoo.
  • Conditioner.
  • Insect repellent.

So to be safe, just keep your device away from non-water substances.


Showering with an Apple Watch – 5 surprising facts


#1: All Apple Watch models would work fine in the shower

The first-generation model hit the market in April 2015.

And as I mentioned in the previous section…

Even that 1 already came with an excellent IPX7 water-resistance rating.

And Apple only improved upon that with the later variants.

This means it won’t matter what type of Apple Watch you own. So you should feel free to wear it in the shower. And it’ll still function the way it normally does.

Of course, this is assuming that your smartwatch is still in good condition. 

By that, I mean there should be no cracks in the screen. And it’s still working the way it did when you first bought it.

But if your Apple Watch is already showing signs of wear and tear…

Then it’s better to just remove it before showering. Otherwise, the exposure to water may just speed up its eventual breakdown.

And let me tell you. It’s going to cost you a lot of money to fix it. The repair price for Apple Watches ranges from $199 to $499.

#2: It’s your soap and shampoo that you need to worry about

It's Your Soap And Shampoo That You Need To Worry About

The water in the shower won’t harm your Apple Watch.

But you can’t really say the same for the other things that you use while bathing.

Whether it’s soap, shampoo, or conditioner….

Each of them can be harmful to your smartwatch.

In fact, according to Apple’s website

You should avoid exposing your smartwatch to toiletries like those. 

This is because they contain chemicals. And that can lead to damage to the following Apple Watch parts:

  • Water seal.
  • Acoustic membranes.

“What exactly are those?”

Well, water seal is just a fancy term for glue or adhesive.

As you may know, your Apple Watch is made up of several parts. And Apple uses a special type of glue to stick them together.

This adhesive is also effective in preventing water from entering your smartwatch.

As for acoustic membranes…

These are tiny meshes or nets that can block water from getting inside an Apple Watch’s speaker.

Now, the seal and the acoustic membrane effectively handle water. But not so much with soaps, shampoos, and the like.

And frequent exposure to such substances will lead to damage to those 2.

As a result, your smartwatch will have a crackling speaker. And more importantly, it also loses its water resistance capability.

That’s why if you are to wear your Apple Watch in the shower…

At least minimize its contact with your toiletries.

#3: Apple Watches have a mechanism to eject water

1 reason why you should feel confident in wearing your smartwatch in a shower is the Water Lock.

If you’re not sure what it is…

It’s a feature on Apple Watches. It locks the display automatically when it detects water-based activities. Such as:

  • Surfing.
  • Swimming.
  • Scuba Diving.

It should also activate when you start showering. 

But if it doesn’t, then you may do the following to switch on Water Lock:

Step #1: Tap and hold the bottom part of your Apple Watch display.

Step #2: Wait until you see the Control Center. It’s the menu screen that gives you instant access to various settings.

Step #3: Once the Control Center is on your display, look for the water drop icon. Then tap it.

This should enable this feature. And you may then start showering.

Now, what’s great about Water Lock is that as soon as you turn it off…

The water that penetrated your smartwatch’s speaker gets ejected, too.

And to switch off this feature, just turn the Digital Crown in any direction. It’s that rotating button on the right side of your watch.

Keep spinning it. And within a few seconds, the water should come out of your watch. 

#4: Your Apple Watch won’t always be able to resist water

Your smartwatch’s water resistance level decreases with time. And it normally happens due to wear and tear.

So, the longer you’ve been using your Apple Watch…

The more likely it may also get damaged while in the shower.

The good thing is, there are things you can do to slow down its water resistance degradation.

I already mentioned minimizing your watch’s contact with soap and shampoo. That’s 1.

But aside from that…

You should also avoid wearing your Apple Watch in a sauna or steam room. The extreme heat in those places can also affect your device’s water resistance level.

It’s also a no-no to use your watch in activities like cliff or sky diving. 

This is because the air pressure may cause cracks in your watch’s display. And that would make it easier for water to penetrate.

#5: The CEO of Apple wears his Apple Watch in the shower

When Steve Jobs passed away in 2011, Tim Cook took over as the company’s CEO.

And among the products that came out during Cook’s tenure was the Apple Watch.

Now, in early 2015, shortly before the smartwatch’s release…

Many were wondering if it was going to be water-resistant.

So in a visit to an Apple Store in Berlin, Germany…

Tim Cook confirmed that not only was the Apple Watch water-resistant. He had actually been wearing it as well while taking a bath.

So you see, even before the first-gen Apple Watch hit the market…

No less than the CEO himself had demonstrated that it’s perfectly fine for shower use.