Apple Watch Series 7 stopped working after pool use — water resistance question

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Level 1

4 points

Apple Watch Series 7 stopped working after pool use — water resistance question

I have an Apple Watch Series 7 purchased around 2022. I recently wore it in a normal neighborhood pool. I did not dive, use high-speed water activities, or do anything unusual. The next day, the watch would not turn on and appeared to have water inside.

Apple says Series 2 and later can be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool, but also says water resistance is not permanent and can diminish over time.

My question is: how is a customer supposed to know when an Apple Watch is no longer safe to use in water? Is there any way to test or check water resistance before swimming, or any practical guidance for watches that are a few years old?

Has anyone had a similar experience with Apple Watch water resistance after normal pool use?

Apple Watch Series 7, watchOS 26

Posted on Jun 27, 2026 1:55 PM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

233,710 points

Jun 27, 2026 2:08 PM in response to texar777

texar777 wrote:

My question is: how is a customer supposed to know when an Apple Watch is no longer safe to use in water? Is there any way to test or check water resistance before swimming, or any practical guidance for watches that are a few years old?

There really isn't a way to determine this, unfortunately.

"Normal" watches can be pressure tested. Quartz watches should be pressure tested when the battery is changed and mechanical watches should be pressure tested every few years when they go in for routine cleaning and service. Of course, this rarely happens with any watch worth less than $1000 or so. I honestly doubt the majority of high water resistance dive watches ever actually come in contact with water other than rain, the shower, or hand washing.

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Answer 2

El Chavo

Level 1

96 points

Jun 29, 2026 3:17 PM in response to texar777

I think that the lesson for anyone viewing this topic at a later date is to keep in mind that the older an Apple Watch is, the more likely it is that something during the life of the watch has weakened the water-resistant seals, and it's not a good idea to suddenly decide to go swimming with it.

Apple reports that these events (among perhaps others) can weaken the seals:

Dropping Apple Watch or subjecting it to other impacts
Exposing Apple Watch to soap or soapy water (for example, while showering or bathing)
Exposing Apple Watch to perfume, solvents, detergent, acids or acidic foods, insect repellent, lotions, sunscreen, oil, or hair dye
Wearing Apple Watch in a steam room

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

233,710 points

Jun 27, 2026 5:54 PM in response to texar777

This is one of the reasons I carry AppleCare+ on my watch.

I've never had an issue with the water resistance on any of my Apple Watches.

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Answer 4

texar777 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 27, 2026 4:40 PM in response to KiltedTim

Thank you, that is helpful.

That is exactly the part I find confusing as a customer. If there is no practical way to determine whether the water resistance is still reliable, then it is hard to understand how customers are supposed to make a safe decision before using the watch in a pool.

Apple says the watch can be used for shallow-water activities like swimming, but also says water resistance can diminish over time. For a customer, there does not seem to be a clear warning, test, service option, or time period after which we should stop using it in water.

So practically speaking, is the safest advice that older Apple Watches should not be used for swimming anymore, even if they were originally sold as suitable for pool use?

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