Have you accidentally dropped your Apple Watch in the water, or did you swim with it unknowingly? If so, you don’t need to worry! There’s not much to lose, especially because newer Apple Watch models stay safe even if they remain in the water for about 30 minutes. However, there’s still a high chance that moisture affects the water-resistance properties of your Apple Watch. If you are in a similar situation, you need to take a few steps to prevent water damage and Apple Watch repair.
- Here’s what you should do after your Apple Watch encounters water:Turn off the Apple Watch
- Don’t charge the Watch
- Remove the watch band
- Eject water from the Apple Watch
- Silica gel packets trick
- Take your watch for repair
Let us look into these steps in more detail for better understanding.
Fixing A Wet Apple Watch
Here’s how you can prevent damage to your Apple Watch after it gets wet.
Turn Off the Apple Watch
When your Apple Watch gets wet, quickly remove it from the water and dry it using a lint-free cloth. This will remove any moisture from the surface. Next, you should turn off your watch immediately. Place the watch in warm or indirect sunlight for only a few minutes.
After some time, try turning on your Apple Watch. If it works fine, you are good to go. If not, you may need to take it for a quick repair.
Don’t Charge the Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch stops working after exposure to moisture, do not attempt to recharge it. This is to prevent potential short circuits.
While you may have wiped water from the surface, it may still be there on the internal components. When you put your watch to charge in such a situation, it can cause serious damage and lead to safety hazards.
Remove the Watch Band
If you didn’t already know, there’s a connector behind the watch band, which is sealed by a cap. There is a high chance of water moving inside the watch through this hidden connector.
So, if your watch has remained underwater for a long time, you can consider removing the band to dry off the water in the band slot. This can help prevent water from reaching the internal components.
Eject Water from Your Apple Watch
Apple Watch water lock helps protect your watch from water exposure. You can enable this feature to protect your device when doing heavy physical activity or swimming. Even if you forgot to turn it on, there’s still a way to eject water. Here’s how you can do it:
- Swipe up from the bottom of your Apple Watch to open Control Center.
- Tap the water lock icon to see a blue water droplet icon on the top of the screen.
- Now, turn the Digital Crown to eject water.
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Silica Gel Packets Trick
- If ejecting the water is not enough, you can use common absorbents like uncooked rice, silica gel, and cat litter to absorb the moisture from your Apple Watch. Here’s how you should do it:Pour the absorbent (silica gel beads) into an airtight container.
- Wrap the watch in cotton wool and place it inside the container.
- Air seal the absorbent container tightly and leave it for a couple of days.
This way, the moisture will be absorbed by the absorbent, giving a new life to your Apple Watch.
Take it For Apple Watch Repair
If your Apple Watch still fails to work properly after all the necessary steps, you will need to take it for a repair. The technicians at a repair shop can assess its condition and suggest the necessary repairs. You can communicate your concerns and get the repair done quickly.
But before going for a repair, don’t forget to check your Apple warranty status. You can claim the warranty and get your Apple Watch fixed if it’s still valid.
Conclusion
It’s super frustrating to have your Apple Watch get wet, but with the right steps and measures, you can prevent the damage to a great extent. The problem usually arises when moisture corrodes the internal components of a watch. Hence, the goal should be preventing water from reaching those components.
Even after all the measures, if your watch fails to respond, quickly take it to a nearby repair shop for quick repair services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get the moisture out of an Apple Watch ?
To remove water from a wet Apple Watch, wipe it with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. Then, rotate the Digital Crown on your watch to eject any trapped moisture.
Should I put my Apple Watch in rice ?
Though you can revive your Apple Watch by putting it in a rice container, corrosion may still damage its internal components.
What are the signs of water damage on an Apple Watch ?
Abnormal or unevenly lit display and crackling speaker sounds are the common signs of a water-damaged Apple Watch.