Quick Answer: To get water out of Apple Watch, open Control Center, tap the Water Lock (droplet) icon to turn it on, then press and hold the Digital Crown until you hear beeps and feel vibrations. Your watch will eject water through the speaker. This works on watchOS 10 and watchOS 11.
So your Apple Watch just got wet , maybe you forgot to activate Water Lock before jumping in the pool, or it got soaked in the rain. Do not panic. Knowing how to get water out of Apple Watch quickly can save your speaker and keep your watch sounding crystal clear.
Apple Watch is built to handle water, but trapped moisture in the speaker grille can muffle sound. The good news is that Apple built a smart Water Ejection feature right into the watch. In this guide, you will learn exactly how to get water out of Apple Watch step by step , for both new and older models.
What is Apple Watch Water Lock & How Does It Work?
Water Lock is a built in Apple Watch feature that locks the touchscreen while you are underwater, preventing accidental taps. Deactivating the feature triggers the watch to utilize its speaker for a vibration sequence, effectively expelling trapped water through the speaker openings.
Think of it like a tiny speaker powered blower. The watch plays a series of tones at different frequencies that physically shake water droplets out of the grille. It is the safest and most effective way to get water out of Apple Watch without causing any damage.
How to Turn On Water Lock Manually
You should always turn on Water Lock before swimming or showering. Here is how to do it based on your watchOS version.
For watchOS 10 or Later (Side Button Method)
Apple changed the Control Center access in watchOS 10. Follow these steps:
- Press the Side Button (the long button below the Digital Crown) once.
- Scroll down in Control Center until you see the Water Lock icon , it looks like a blue water droplet.
- Tap the Water Lock icon to activate it.
- Your screen will lock immediately and show a lock icon at the top.
Once Water Lock is on, your touchscreen will not respond to taps, so you can swim freely without worrying about accidental inputs.
For watchOS 9 or Earlier (Swipe Up Method)
On older watchOS versions, Control Center was accessed differently:
- To open the Control Center, perform a swipe up gesture starting from the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the Water Lock icon (blue droplet).
- Your watch screen will lock, confirming Water Lock is active.
If you update to a new watchOS in the future, just use the Side Button method from that point on.
How to Turn Off Water Lock & Eject Water Safely
This is the most important part of the process. Here is how to actually get water out of Apple Watch after swimming or getting it wet.
The Modern Way: Press and Hold the Digital Crown (watchOS 10 & 11)
- After getting out of the water, raise your wrist or tap the screen.
- You will see a screen showing ‘Turn Digital Crown to unlock’ or a similar prompt.
- Press and hold the Digital Crown (the round knob on the side) for 2 to 3 seconds.
- You will hear a series of beeping tones and feel strong vibrations , this is the water being ejected.
- Keep holding until the tones and vibrations stop completely.
- Give your watch a gentle shake downward to let gravity help remove any remaining droplets.
You have now successfully used the built in method to get water out of Apple Watch. The speaker should sound clear and normal immediately after.
The Legacy Way: Rotating the Digital Crown (Older Models)
On some older Apple Watch models running watchOS 9 or earlier, rotating the Digital Crown instead of holding it was the standard method. If the press and hold method does not work on your model, try rotating the Digital Crown slowly a few times to trigger the water ejection process.
Check Your Apple Watch Battery Health
If your Apple Watch got wet or was submerged, it is smart to also check your battery health afterward. Water exposure over time can affect battery performance. Use our Apple Watch Battery Diagnostic Tool to quickly assess your battery status and find out if it needs attention.
Troubleshooting: What to Do If Your Apple Watch Speaker Still Sounds Muffled
Even after you get water out of Apple Watch using the ejection feature, some users find their speaker still sounds a little distorted. Here are the real fixes that actually work.
The Gravity and Microfiber Cloth Trick
If sound is still muffled after the first ejection, try this simple but effective method:
- Run the Water Ejection process 2 to 3 more times back to back.
- Hold your Apple Watch face down with the speaker grille pointing toward the ground.
- Gently pat (do not rub) the speaker area with a soft, dry microfiber cloth.
- Let the watch air dry for 15 to 30 minutes in a well ventilated area.
Never insert a cotton swab, pin, or any object into the speaker ports. You risk permanently damaging the delicate membrane inside, making things much worse.
Dealing with Saltwater, Chlorine, or Soap Overexposure
If you were in the ocean, a pool, or a shower with soap, plain water alone in the speaker is not the only issue. Salt, chlorine, and soap residue can dry inside the grille and cause lasting damage if not rinsed away.
- Rinse your Apple Watch under clean, lightly running fresh water for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Do not use soap, cleaning sprays, or submerge it in a basin of water.
- After rinsing, immediately run the Water Ejection process again to push fresh water out.
- Allow the watch to air dry completely before charging or putting it in a case.
This rinse then eject sequence is critical if you want to fully get water out of Apple Watch after saltwater or chlorine exposure.
How to Force Restart If Water Lock Is Stuck
In rare cases, the Water Lock screen may freeze or the watch may become unresponsive after being submerged. If you cannot dismiss the Water Lock screen or the Digital Crown is not working, do a force restart:
- Press and hold both the Side Button and the Digital Crown at the same time.
- Hold for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
- Release both buttons and let the watch restart normally.
- Once the watch boots up, run the Water Ejection process again.
A force restart does not erase any data , it simply reboots the system. After the restart, the Water Lock should be gone and the watch will work normally.
Apple Watch Water Resistance Breakdown (By Series & Model)
Not all Apple Watch models handle water the same way. Here is a quick reference to understand your watch’s limits before you get it wet.
| Model | Water Resistance | Best For | Seal Degrades? |
| Apple Watch Series 1 | IPX7 (1m/30min) | Splashes only | Yes |
| Series 2 to 9 | 50m (WR50) | Swimming & showers | Yes |
| Series 10 | 50m (WR50) | Swimming & showers | Yes |
| Ultra 1 & 2 | 100m (EN 13319) | Diving & watersports | Yes (slower) |
Important: Water resistance is not permanent. The rubber seals around the case and buttons degrade over time, especially after drops, bumps, or repeated water exposure. Apple recommends having the seals checked every year if you swim with your watch regularly. Even a water resistant watch should use Water Lock every time to stay safe.
4 Dangerous Mistakes to Avoid When Drying Your Apple Watch
When people panic about a wet watch, they often reach for quick fixes that actually cause serious damage. If you want to properly get water out of Apple Watch, avoid these four things at all costs.
1. Compressed Air Cans
It feels logical to blast air into the speaker ports, but compressed air canisters release air at extremely high pressure. This pressure can permanently tear the thin speaker membrane inside the ports, leading to permanently distorted sound. The Apple Watch ejection system uses controlled vibrations , forced air is nothing like that.
2. Hair Dryers or Heating Elements
Heat is the enemy of Apple Watch internals. The battery, adhesive seals, and display are all sensitive to elevated temperatures. A hairdryer , even on a cool setting , can warp the case, damage the battery cells, and destroy the water resistant seal you are trying to protect. Never use heat to get water out of Apple Watch.
3. Pins, Toothpicks, or Cotton Swabs
The speaker grille on Apple Watch has incredibly tiny openings. Poking anything into those holes , even a soft cotton swab , risks pushing water further inside and physically puncturing the speaker membrane. Let vibration and gravity do the work. Your fingers and a microfiber cloth on the outside surface is all you need.
4. Putting It in a Bowl of Rice
The rice myth has been around forever, but it does more harm than good. Dry rice absorbs moisture from the air, not from inside sealed electronics. Worse, tiny rice dust and starch particles can get sucked into the ports and speaker grilles, creating a new problem. If you know how to get water out of Apple Watch using Water Lock, you will never need rice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I swim with my Apple Watch without turning on Water Lock?
Technically yes , your Apple Watch is water resistant to 50 meters (or 100m for Ultra). But Water Lock prevents accidental screen taps while you swim and makes it easy to eject water immediately after. It is always better to activate it before jumping in.
How many times is it recommended to perform the water ejection cycle?
Run the process 2 to 3 times if water was heavy or if you were submerged. This ensures even stubborn drops trapped in the grille are pushed out fully. After each round, listen to the speaker , clarity returns quickly when the process is working.
My Apple Watch fell in the toilet. Is it ruined?
Probably not , toilets contain water, and your Apple Watch is designed to handle submersion. Rinse your watch with clean fresh water right away, then immediately run the water ejection process. This flushes any contaminants and helps you get water out of Apple Watch safely.
How much time should I allow for the watch to be fully dried?
The water ejection process itself takes about 10 to 15 seconds. After that, allow 15 to 30 minutes of air drying before putting the watch in a case or under heavy use. The watch is safe to use normally as soon as the ejection tone cycle finishes.
Does Water Lock work on Apple Watch Series 3?
Yes. Water Lock was introduced with watchOS 4 and works on Series 2 and later. Although the steps to toggle this feature vary based on your specific watchOS version, the underlying technique for removing moisture from an Apple Watch stays consistent.
Knowing exactly how to get water out of Apple Watch is one of the most practical skills any Apple Watch owner can have. Whether you are a swimmer, a runner who trains in the rain, or just someone who forgets to take off their watch in the shower, the built in Water Ejection tool has you covered. Always activate Water Lock before water exposure, run the ejection process immediately after, and avoid the four dangerous drying mistakes outlined above. Your Apple Watch will thank you.