While swimming with your Apple Watch, there is no requirement to lock the screen for waterproofing purposes. The Apple Watch Series 2 and later models are designed to be water-resistant up to 50 meters, meaning they can be safely submerged in water for swimming activities.
When you start a Pool Swim from the Activity app on your Apple Watch, it automatically activates the water lock feature. This feature prevents accidental touches on the screen by disabling touch sensitivity and locks the screen to prevent any interactions. However, it’s important to note that enabling the water lock feature doesn’t enhance the waterproof capabilities of your Apple Watch.
The water lock feature primarily serves to prevent accidental inputs while swimming. The water clears out of the speaker/microphone hole quite quickly on its own, so you don’t need to worry about locking the screen to keep water out. The design of the Apple Watch’s speaker system allows water to be expelled easily once you’re out of the water.
In my personal experience, I’ve used my Apple Watch for swimming without locking the screen, and I haven’t encountered any issues with water getting trapped or affecting the device’s functionality. The water resistance of the Apple Watch is quite reliable, but it’s always a good idea to rinse it with fresh water after swimming in saltwater or chlorinated pools to remove any residue that may be left behind.
To sum it up, you don’t have to lock your Apple Watch while swimming for waterproofing purposes. The water lock feature primarily prevents accidental touches on the screen and doesn’t enhance the device’s waterproof capabilities. The Apple Watch is designed to be water-resistant, and water clears out of the speaker/microphone hole quickly on its own.