Is the Galaxy Watch Waterproof?
The Samsung Galaxy Watch comes with two separate ratings for water immersion. The IP68 rating (Ingress Protection) indicates the watch is water-resistant for up to 30 minutes. The 5ATM rating shows the watch is immersion proof for up to fifty meters of depth. When you put the two together, the Samsung Galaxy Watch can be submerged in 50 meters of water for up to thirty minutes. While no electronic device is truly waterproof, it’s accurate to say Galaxy Watch is water-resistant. For all intents and purposes, the watch will be fine for all but the most extreme activities.
What You Can and Can’t Do With the Galaxy Watch
You can wear your Galaxy Watch doing dishes, in the shower, or in the rain. However, the IP rating doesn’t take water pressure into account; that’s where the 5ATM rating comes in. The watch is rated for up to five atmospheres of pressure, which is how much pressure you feel at a depth of 50 meters. Any water-related activity that stays above a depth of 50 meters is ok. The only times you’ll run into trouble are when you’re scuba diving below that depth. While the watch isn’t rated against high-pressure water streams, your kitchen sink is ok, whereas a firehose is not.
Care and Use of the Galaxy Watch in Water
If you take the watch swimming in the ocean or in water that contains chemicals (like a swimming pool), rinse the watch off under clean water when you’re done. After rinsing the watch or after swimming in fresh water, lightly shake it to remove any excess water. While you are swimming, you can turn on water-lock mode, which disables the always-on display and prevents accidental touch input. This feature will help save the battery and keep the watch from acting up while submerged. To enable water-lock mode, swipe down to access the Quick Settings, then tap the Water Lock icon (the water droplets). To turn it off, press and hold the home key.
