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Apple Watch Water Eject: How to Use Water Lock

Apple Watch has a built-in water eject feature called Water Lock. Here is how to turn it on and off on every watchOS version — and what to do if the speaker still sounds muffled.

How to eject water from Apple Watch

watchOS 10 and later (most current watches)

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Tap the Water Lock button (water drop icon). The screen ignores touches while it’s on.
  3. When you are out of the water, press and hold the Digital Crown until the screen says “Unlocked”. The watch plays a series of tones that push water out of the speaker. You may feel a vibration and see droplets.

Apple Watch Ultra

Water Lock turns on automatically when you start a swim or dive workout. To end it, hold the Digital Crown (or press the Digital Crown and side button together on some versions) until it unlocks and ejects water.

Older watchOS (9 and earlier)

Swipe up from the watch face to open Control Center, tap the water drop, and turn the Digital Crown to unlock and eject water.

Water Lock doesn’t eject water? Try this

  • Repeat the unlock cycle 2–3 times.
  • Hold the watch so the speaker holes (on the left side, opposite the crown) face down while it plays the tones.
  • Rinse with fresh water if it was in salt water, soap or chlorinated water, then dry with a lint-free cloth and run Water Lock again.
  • Let the watch dry for an hour before charging.

Can I use a water eject sound for Apple Watch from my phone?

Not directly — sounds played on your iPhone come out of the iPhone, not the watch. Water Lock is the right tool for the watch itself. For your other Apple gear, use the iPhone speaker cleaner or AirPods water eject.

Is Apple Watch waterproof?

Apple Watch Series 2 and later are water-resistant to 50 metres (ISO 22810), suitable for swimming in a pool or the sea. Apple Watch Ultra is rated to 100 metres and supports recreational diving to 40 metres. Water resistance is not permanent and can decrease over time, and it doesn’t cover high-velocity water (water skiing), saunas or steam rooms.

Muffled speaker without water?

Lint and skin oil can clog the speaker holes. Wipe the side of the watch with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with fresh water, then dry it. Don’t use soaps, compressed air or sharp objects.

Frequently asked questions

Does Apple Watch have water eject?

Yes. It is called Water Lock. Turn it on from Control Center, then hold (or turn on older models) the Digital Crown to unlock and play the water-ejecting tones.

How do I turn off Water Lock on Apple Watch?

Press and hold the Digital Crown until the screen shows Unlocked. On older watchOS, turn the Digital Crown.

Should I use Water Lock after every swim?

Yes, it is a good habit. It ejects water from the speaker and keeps the speaker sounding clear.

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Still need help?

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