Apple Watches are great for many reasons, such as returning calls and texts, tracking users’ steps, and much more. With all of the helpful health-tracking functions available at the touch of a finger, it’s no wonder users prefer to keep the watches on at all times. Nonetheless, the watch faces are pretty touchy and can detect a multitude of interactions, including the touch of water.
The Water Lock feature on the Apple Watch can be found by swiping up on the watch face from any screen. A simple tap can turn it on on the water droplet icon and turned off by pressing and holding down the Digital Crown button on the side of the Apple Watch.
The newest watchOS 9 update is great for any Apple Watch user who enjoys tracking their health and well-being daily. With just a touch of a button, it makes turning features on and off a much quicker process for those who prefer to take control and move on with their daily tasks. Thus taking away the worry of the Apple Watch being unintentionally touched or damaged by water.
What is Water Lock?
Water Lock is a feature on Apple Watch that allows users to block the screen from recognizing any accidental interactions that may happen while the user is in water.
Additionally, Water Lock is used to protect against any potential water damage that may occur. This feature is correlated with an icon showing a water droplet and can be found on the watch face.
How to Turn Water Lock On and Off
Often, Water Lock will be able to turn on by itself once the user reaches the water; however, that is not always a guarantee. Given that, it’s important to know how to turn Water Lock on and off. Check out the quick steps below to discover how to do so:
How To Turn on Water Lock:
- From the watch face, swipe up on the screen and wait for the Control Center to appear.
- Scroll to find the water droplet icon for Water Lock and tap it to turn it on.
How To Turn off Water Lock:
- From the side of the Apple Watch, long-press the Digital Crown button to unlock the watch’s display.
- Note: If the Apple Watch runs on watchOS 8 or older, the Digital Crown must be rotated rather than pressed and held down.
- Wait for the musical tones to play while the water is ejected from the watch’s speaker.
When Should You Use Water Lock?
Water Lock should be turned on in any instance where it may be in contact with water. More specifically, it should be used while the user is in a pool or shower, although turning it on during heavy rainstorms and even workout sessions may be best.
While the Apple Watch may be water-resistant, it is not waterproof and can be damaged by water.
What to Do When the Water Lock Feature isn’t Working
As mentioned earlier in this article, the Water Lock power function for watchOS 8 slightly differs from the function for watchOS 9. That said, be sure that the Digital Crown has been rotated for watchOS 8 or long-pressed for watchOS 9.
Power On/Off
If the Water Lock still doesn’t appear to be working, continue using the power on/off functions until the tones begin. Then, allow time for the excess water to drain from the speaker. Sometimes, the watch may need to be cleaned manually for the Water Lock to continue working correctly.
Using the Charger
On the off chance that the watch gets stuck with the Water Lock feature on, sometimes placing the watch on the charger can fix it. This will typically work with any wired charger or charging pad. Once it begins charging, it should automatically shut off the Water Lock feature, giving the user complete control again.
Restarting it
The final recommended method for getting Water Lock to turn off is to force the Apple Watch to restart. When doing so, keep the watch on the charger and press the two side buttons down at once.
After a few seconds of holding the buttons down, the Apple logo should appear on the screen. Once that happens, stop holding the buttons and allow the watch to restart.