Water lock icon no longer available on Apple Watch.

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the Water Lock feature on Apple Watch is designed to help protect the device from water damage by temporarily disabling the screen's touch functionality and ejecting any water from the speaker. However, it's important to note that Apple may make updates to its operating system and feature availability over time.

If you're unable to find the Water Lock icon on your Apple Watch, here are a few suggestions to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Check your Apple Watch model and software version: The Water Lock feature may not be available on older Apple Watch models or if you're using an outdated version of watchOS. Ensure that your device is compatible and up to date with the latest software version.
2. Enable Water Lock through Control Center: On your Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the Control Center. Look for the droplet-shaped icon that represents Water Lock. If it's not visible, scroll down to the bottom of the Control Center and tap "Edit" to customize the icons shown. Make sure Water Lock is included in the list of available icons and add it if necessary.
3. Restart your Apple Watch: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve minor software glitches. Try restarting your Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button until the power-off slider appears. Then, drag the slider to turn off the device. After a few seconds, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears, indicating the device is restarting.
4. Reset your Apple Watch settings: If the issue persists, you can try resetting your Apple Watch settings. Note that this will remove any personalized settings and content stored on the watch. To do this, open the Settings app on your Apple Watch, go to "General," then select "Reset," and choose "Erase All Content and Settings." Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, I recommend visiting the Apple Support website or contacting Apple directly for further assistance. They can provide the most up-to-date information and guidance based on your specific Apple Watch model and software version.

Frantalbert Wrote:

I can’t find the waterproof icon on my iwatch? Blue drip icon gone???

How to use Water Lock and eject water from your Apple Watch - Apple Support

The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.

Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.

An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:

“Hey Siri, find my iPhone”

“Hey Siri, Flashlight”

“Hey Siri, Battery”

“Hey Siri, Airplane mode”

Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing:

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

“Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The “Side Button Click Speed” is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting.

NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.

Blondiegirl72 wrote:

I can not get to my water icon I have swiped up and it does not give my that option like it use to it worked before last update

How to use Water Lock and eject water from your Apple Watch - Apple Support

The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.

Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.

An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:

"Hey Siri, find my iPhone"

"Hey Siri, Flashlight"

"Hey Siri, Battery"

"Hey Siri, Airplane mode"

Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing:

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

“Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The "Side Button Click Speed" is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting.

NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.

Not apps screen, its the Control Center screen

Control center has moved to the side button on os10

lona162 wrote:

I read press bar button no clue where

The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.

Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.

An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:

“Hey Siri, find my iPhone”

“Hey Siri, Flashlight”

“Hey Siri, Battery”

“Hey Siri, Airplane mode”

Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing:

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

“Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The “Side Button Click Speed” is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting.

NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.

How to use Water Lock and eject water from your Apple Watch - Apple Support

The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.

Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.

An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:

"Hey Siri, find my iPhone"

"Hey Siri, Flashlight"

"Hey Siri, Battery"

"Hey Siri, Airplane mode"

Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing: Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed “Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The "Side Button Click Speed" is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting. NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.

Lgilsdorf wrote:

I do not have the water icon on my watch

The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.

Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.

An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:

"Hey Siri, find my iPhone"

"Hey Siri, Flashlight"

"Hey Siri, Battery"

"Hey Siri, Airplane mode"

Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing:

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

“Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The "Side Button Click Speed" is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting.

NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.

Apple Watch -> Settings -> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch can be used to access things like:

o Control Center

o Apple Pay

o Emergency Services and the Power Off icon (labeled "Hold Side Button")

o and many other things...

Use AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch - Apple Support

FreyaHarris wrote:

What did the water icon disappear to on my Apple Watch?

The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.

Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.

An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:

“Hey Siri, find my iPhone”

“Hey Siri, Flashlight”

“Hey Siri, Battery”

“Hey Siri, Airplane mode”

Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing:

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

“Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The “Side Button Click Speed” is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting.

NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.

Apple Watch -> Settings -> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch can be used to access things like:

o Control Center

o Apple Pay

o Emergency Services and the Power Off icon (labeled “Hold Side Button”)

o and many other things...

Use AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch - Apple Support

112-28 wrote:

I do not want to record my activity in the pool but need to use the water lock, How do I lock it since the icon is no longer on the watch?

How to use Water Lock and eject water from your Apple Watch - Apple Support

The previous Control Center swipe-up has moved to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up Emergency services and the power off icon.

Control Center should then show you the iPhone ping icon (find my iPhone), Battery percentage, Flashlight, Water Lock, Airplane mode, Alarm silence, Theater mode, and all the other Control Center services.

An alternate way to get some of the Control Center services is:

“Hey Siri, find my iPhone”

“Hey Siri, Flashlight”

“Hey Siri, Battery”

“Hey Siri, Airplane mode”

Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing:

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

“Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The “Side Button Click Speed” is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting.

NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.

Apple Watch -> Settings -> Accessibility -> AssistiveTouch can be used to access things like:

o Control Center

o Apple Pay

o Emergency Services and the Power Off icon (labeled “Hold Side Button”)

o and many other things...

Use AssistiveTouch on Apple Watch - Apple Support

Suehouse wrote:

I don’t have water lock or find phone anymore since update on my Apple 4 watch

Control Center moved from the swipe up to a quick press and release of the flat oval side button (see picture)

Use Control Center on Apple Watch - Apple Support

DO NOT hold the button, as that brings up the Emergency services display

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

can be used to adjust the press and release timing. This is rather useful getting Apple Pay's double press and release to work reliably. I like Slow, and my Wife likes the Slowest setting.

You may find this page useful:

What’s new in Apple Watch and watchOS 10 - Apple Support

Slide up the Control Center then tap Edit and see if the icon is in the 'More' section to be added back.

If not then the best way to re-add any missing feature is to unpair the Watch and set up again, and if that fails set up without restoring the backup

BoomeRev wrote:

It’s now January 2024 and I’ve tried every (seemingly outdated) solution suggested to get the control screen to display on my Apple Watch- unless I’m just not finding it….. nothing suggested works for displaying my water feature anymore…. Or my Control Center for that matter. Pressing the long button on the side now displays *Medical Aid, * Compass Backtrack, & *SOS Energency call. A second push of that long button brings up *Power Off. Ive swiped every direction on the watch face and neither *Control Center nor *Water Feature display …. Any updated help would be greatly appreciated!!!

DO NOT hold the flat oval side button, as that does bring up Emergency services and the power off icon.

The flat oval side button has 3 functions.

Quick press and release is Control Center.

Double quick press and release is Apple Pay and the Apple Wallet.

Long press and hold is Emergency services and the power off icon.

Getting the press and release timing just right can be an issue. You can make it more reliable by changing:

Settings -> Accessibility -> Side Button Click Speed

“Side Button Click Speed” can adjust the press and release timing, so you get the Control Center display every time. Adjusting The “Side Button Click Speed” is also useful for Apple Pay’s double press and release. There is “Default” (sub second timing of needed), “Slow” (up to a second between press and release), and “Slowest” (up to 2 seconds between press and release). I like the “Slow” setting.

NOTE: Slow and Slowest settings do not mean you have to wait a full second or 2 seconds between press and release. It just means you do not need to be super fast.

samohttn wrote:

So for all of us that cannot swipe up on the watch face to access our control center for the water drop icon, the volume and such, JUST PRESS THE POWER button below the dial. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Can’t believe it was there the whole time and none of the geniuses in this community could help us. I feel dumb

In this thread alone, I have posted 5 detailed instructions, with pictures, on using the flat oval side button to bring up the Control Center, with the water lock.

And this does not count the 30 or 40 similar replies I’ve made in other posts.

And there are at least a dozen other volunteers that have been providing the similar Control Center answers.

I wouldn’t call any of the volunteers in these forums geniuses, but we have been trying very hard to provide answers to users that do not bother to read previous replies that have the answers they are looking for.

You may have hidden it from your control center. To get it back, just press the edit button and click on the water lock icon. It will then show up in the control center.

Check if this helps -> How to use Water Lock and eject water from your Apple Watch

How to use Water Lock and eject water from your Apple Watch - Apple Support