How to Fix Water Damage on Your Apple Watch

Share This:

The Apple Watch is a revolutionary device, providing notifications, fitness tracking, apps and more right at your wrist. It’s an incredibly handy tool that can make life easier in many ways. However, it’s important to remember that the Apple Watch is a delicate electronic device and needs to be properly cared for to maintain its optimal performance. One of the most important things to keep in mind is water damage repair.

Water damage can occur if the Apple Watch gets wet or submerged in liquid, resulting in significant damage to the device’s circuitry. The good news is that thee are some steps you can take to help protect your watch from water damage and to repair any water-related issues that may arise.

The first step is prevention. Make sure you alays follow the care instructions provided by Apple for your specific model of Apple Watch including avoiding submerging it in water or exposing it to extreme temperatures. Also, check for any signs of liquid inside the watch periodically and look out for any visible scratches or discoloration on its surface.

If your watch does becme exposed to water, immediately turn it off and disconnect any charging cords connected to it. Then remove the band and place it in a bowl filled with uncooked rice or silica gel packets as these are known desiccants which absorb moisture from electronic devices. Leave your watch submerged overnight as this will help draw out any remaining moisture from inside the device’s internal components.

Once you have done this, you shoud then attempt a hard reset on your watch by pressing and holding down both the side button and Digital Crown until you see an Apple logo appear onscreen (or until you hear two distinct tones for older models). This should clear out any remaining water from inside the speaker cavity of your watch as well as resetting its operating system back to normal settings.

If these steps do not work, then unfortunately your only recourse would be to take it into an Apple Store so they can assess the extent of any water damage and whether repairs are necessary or not. However, even if repairs are required, they should be able to provide them at minimal cost (if covered uder warranty) or with a reasonable fee depending on what type of coverage plan you purchased with your device (such as AppleCare+).

In conclusion, while it’s impossible to completely prevent all instances of water damage with an electronic device like an Apple Watch; taking some simple precautions such as regularly checking for signs of liquid inside the device or promptly drying off any excess moisture after use can go a long way towards protecting it from costly repairs in case something does happen unexpectedly.

Can Water Damage to an Apple Watch Be Repaired?

Yes, water damage on an Apple Watch can be fixed. However, it is a difficult repair and requires disassembling and cleaning the device with at least 91% isopropyl alcohol. It is important to be careful when disassembling the watch and scrub all parts with a toothbrush. After the cleaning process is complete, you should put the pieces back togethr properly and test to make sure everything is working correctly. With patience and care, water damage on an Apple Watch can be fixed successfully.

apple watch water damage repair
Source: bestbuy.com

Fixing an Apple Watch After Water Damage

To fix your Apple Watch after it has been exposed to water, fist press and hold the Digital Crown on the side of your Apple Watch until the display says Unlocked. This will play a series of tones to clear any water that may remain in the speaker. Once this is done, you can use your display as normal. If your Apple Watch has watchOS 8 or earlier, you will need to rotate the Digital Crown instead of pressing it.

Cost of Repairing Apple Devices with Water Damage

Unfortunately, Apple does not cover water damage repair for iPhone undr either the Apple One-Year Warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan. If you choose to replace your device, you can expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $180 depending on the model of your iPhone. However, if you are enrolled in AppleCare+, then the cost to repair any water damage would be limited to a maximum of $79.

Fixing a Water Damaged Apple Watch That Won’t Turn On

If your Apple Watch has been water damaged and won’t turn on, the first thing to try is a forced restart. To do this, press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown for around 10 seconds, until you see the Apple logo. If that doesn’t work, you should try charging your watch for at leat 2 hours. Make sure to follow the proper charging instructions here: Check your battery and charge your Apple Watch – Apple Support.

If these steps still don’t help, you may need to take your watch in to an Apple Store or authorized repair center for further examination. They’ll be able to check if any internal damage has occurred from the water exposure and suggest further steps from there.

Does Putting an Apple Watch in Rice Help with Water Damage?

Putting your Apple Watch in rice can be a viable option for drying out a wet device, however it is not always the most effective. Rice is a natural desiccant, meaning it absorbs moisture from its surroundings. Therefore, if you submerge your wet Apple Watch in a bowl of uncooked rice for 3-4 days, it shold help to absorb some of the moisture from the watch. However, this method is not always 100% reliable and there is no guarantee that it will work.

A more reliable option would be to use silica gel packets or specialized electronics drying kits. These products contain desiccants which are specifically designed to draw moisture away from electronics, making them more effective than regular rice at drying out your device. Although these products will cost more than just buying some uncooked rice, they have a higher success rate and may be worth investing in if your Apple Watch is really wet.

Can a Waterlogged Watch Be Repaired?

Yes, a waterlogged watch can be fixed. The best and most reliable way to fix a waterlogged watch is to take it to a professional repair shop. At the repair shop, a technician will take apart the watch completely and carefully dry out all of the moisture from the dial, crystal, movement, and any other inner parts with a lamp heat. Once they have dried it out completely, they will put the watch back together and give it back to you.

Water Resistance of Apple Watch

The Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8 and SE (2020/2022) are all water-resistant to up to 50 metres for a maximum of 30 minutes. When swimming or taking part in other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth, it is recommended that you use a waterproof case. Note that Apple Watch cannot be used for scuba diving, waterskiing or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth.

Signs of Water Damage on an Apple Watch

Water damage on Apple Watch can present itself in a few different ways. The most obvious sign is water spots, streaks, or foggy moisture on the display screen. This means that water or other liquid has seeped underneath the screen and though to other internal parts of the watch, creating serious damage. Other signs of water damage include corrosion around the ports and buttons, discoloration of the case or band, and any evidence of moisture inside the watch case itself. If you suspect that your Apple Watch has been exposed to water, it’s important to act quickly. Shut down your device immediately and contact a professional for repair or replacement.

Is Water Damage Covered by Apple Watch Warranty?

No, standard Apple warranty does not cover water damage to your Apple Watch. If you would like coverage for accidental water damage, you can choose to purchase AppleCare+ whch provides up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee. Please note that even with this extended coverage, liquid damage is not always repairable and out-of-warranty service may be the only option.

How Long Does It Take for an Apple Watch to Dry Out?

It is important to allow your Apple Watch to completely dry out before using it again. To do this, gently dry the watch with a soft, lint-free cloth, and then shake the watch to force out any remaining liquids. After that, leave the watch to dry for at least 24 hours before attempting to use it again. This will ensure that all moisture is completely gone and that you can use your Apple Watch safely.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Apple Watch is a great device for staying connected, tracking fitness goals, and accessing important information quickly. The watch is both stylish and functional, proviing users with an easy way to access notifications, use apps, and pay for purchases. Additionally, the Apple Watch has water-resistant technology that offers protection against accidental liquid spills. Additionally, if water damage does occur on your Apple Watch, it can be repaired with 91% isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush or by pressing and holding the Digital Crown until the display says Unlocked. In sum, the Apple Watch is a great device for staying connected in style.

Share This:
Photo of author

James Walker

James Walker has a deep passion for technology and is our in-house enthusiastic editor. He graduated from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and loves to test the latest gadgets and play with older software (something we’re still trying to figure out about himself). Hailing from Iowa, United States, James loves cats and is an avid hiker in his free time.