What is the water drop on Apple Watch?

Answered by James Kissner

The water drop symbol on the Apple Watch is called Water Lock. It is a feature that allows you to use your Apple Watch while you are in water, such as during swimming or other water activities. When Water Lock is enabled, your watch’s display becomes unresponsive to touch, preventing any accidental input while submerged.

To turn on Water Lock, simply swipe up on the watch face to access the Control Center. Then, tap on the water drop icon. You will see a brief animation of water being expelled from the speaker, indicating that Water Lock is now active.

While in Water Lock mode, you can still use the digital crown to scroll and zoom, as well as the side button to access the dock and apps. However, the touch screen will not respond to your touch until you turn off Water Lock.

To turn off Water Lock, simply rotate the digital crown counterclockwise. This action triggers a series of beeps and vibrations, which help to expel any water that may have entered the watch’s speaker. You can also swipe up on the Control Center and tap the water drop icon again to disable Water Lock.

It is important to note that Water Lock is not a waterproof feature. While the Apple Watch is water-resistant, it is not designed to be fully submerged for extended periods or at extreme depths. It is recommended to avoid activities such as scuba diving or water sports with high water pressure when wearing your Apple Watch.

Water Lock can be particularly useful during water-based workouts or when simply wanting to protect your watch from accidental water damage. I personally find it convenient when swimming, as it prevents the water from triggering any unwanted actions on the watch’s screen. The ability to eject water from the speaker after a swim is also beneficial, as it helps maintain the audio quality and prevent any potential damage caused by water ingress.

The water drop symbol on the Apple Watch indicates the activation of Water Lock, a feature that disables touch input on the watch’s display while submerged in water. It is a handy tool to prevent accidental interactions and includes a water ejection mechanism to expel any water from the watch’s speaker. Remember to use Water Lock responsibly and avoid exposing your Apple Watch to excessive water pressure or prolonged submersion.