You’re standing by the edge of the pool, or maybe you're about to hop into a hot shower after a brutal workout, and you glance down at your wrist. You’ve got that Series 4 strapped on. It looks sleek. It feels expensive. And then the question hits: Is Apple Watch Series 4 waterproof, or am I about to turn this $400 piece of tech into a very pretty paperweight?
Honestly, the word "waterproof" is a bit of a trap. Companies love to use it in marketing because it sounds invincible. But if we’re being real, almost nothing in the consumer electronics world is truly waterproof.
Your Series 4 is actually water-resistant.
There’s a massive difference between those two terms. One means "water can't get in, ever," and the other means "water can't get in under specific conditions." If you treat your watch like it's a submarine, you’re going to have a bad time. But if you understand the limits, it's actually a pretty rugged little companion.
The WR50 Rating: What 50 Meters Actually Means
Apple officially rates the Series 4 with a 50-meter water resistance under ISO standard 22810:2010.
Now, don't let that "50 meters" number fool you. It does not mean you can dive 150 feet down into the dark abyss of the ocean. In the world of watchmaking, 50 meters basically translates to "safe for shallow water."
Basically, you’ve got the green light for:
- Doing laps in a chlorinated pool.
- Splashing around in the ocean (at the surface).
- Getting caught in a torrential downpour while running.
- Washing your hands without panicking.
The Series 4 was a huge jump forward in many ways, but its water guts stayed fairly similar to the Series 3. It uses a combination of gaskets and seals to keep the moisture away from the delicate S4 chip. But here’s the kicker: those seals aren't permanent. They are made of rubber and adhesives that, quite frankly, hate high pressure and chemicals.
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Activities that will probably kill your watch
If you’re planning on going water skiing or jet skiing, take the watch off. High-velocity water is the silent killer. When you’re flying across a lake at 40 mph and you wipe out, the impact of the water hitting those tiny speaker holes is way higher than the pressure at the bottom of a 5-foot pool. It’ll force water right past the seals.
The same goes for scuba diving. The Series 4 isn't an Ultra. It doesn't have a depth gauge, and it isn't built for the sustained pressure of deep dives. If you want to go deep, you’re looking at the wrong model.
Can You Actually Shower With It?
This is where things get controversial.
If you ask Apple, they’ll tell you that you can shower with a Series 2 or later, but they really recommend you don’t. Why? Because of the soap.
Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are surfactants. They reduce the surface tension of water, making it much easier for that water to slip through the microscopic gaps in your watch's seals. Plus, the chemicals in soaps can slowly eat away at the rubber gaskets over time.
I’ve known people who have showered with their Series 4 every single day for five years with zero issues. I’ve also seen people’s watches die after one soapy scrub-down. Personally, I use shower time as my "charging time." It keeps the watch topped up and keeps the chemicals away from the screen.
If you do accidentally get soap on it, rinse it off immediately with fresh, warm water. Don't let that stuff sit there.
The Water Lock: It’s Not What You Think
A lot of people think turning on the Water Lock (that little blue droplet icon) somehow physically seals the watch.
It doesn't.
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Water Lock does exactly two things:
- It locks the screen so the water drops don't "tap" apps and start sending weird texts to your boss.
- When you turn the Digital Crown to turn it off, the watch plays a specific frequency of sound to literally vibrate the water out of the speaker grill.
It’s actually kinda cool to watch. You’ll see tiny droplets spit out of the side of the casing. If you’ve been swimming, always run that cycle. It prevents the speaker from sounding muffled and keeps salt or chlorine from drying inside the chamber.
The 2026 Reality: Aging Seals
We have to be honest here. The Apple Watch Series 4 came out years ago. Even if you bought a "new old stock" model recently, those internal seals have been sitting there aging.
Water resistance isn't like a screen or a battery that you can easily swap out. Once the glue and rubber gaskets dry out or get brittle, that 50-meter rating is basically a suggestion. If your watch has a crack in the screen or a deep gouge in the casing, its water resistance is officially zero.
How to tell if your water resistance is failing
You might notice some subtle signs before the watch completely dies:
- The screen starts flickering after it gets wet.
- The "Hey Siri" function stops working (often a sign of microphone port moisture).
- The Digital Crown feels sticky or harder to turn.
- The battery starts draining at an insane rate after a swim.
If you see any of these, stop submerging it. Immediately.
Salt Water vs. Chlorine: The Aftercare
If you take your Series 4 into the ocean, you must rinse it with fresh water afterward. Salt is corrosive. When saltwater dries, it leaves behind tiny salt crystals that act like sandpaper on your seals and buttons.
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I usually just hold mine under a kitchen tap for 10 seconds after a beach day. It’s a simple habit that adds years to the life of the device. Also, be mindful of your band. Leather and metal links are not made for the water. Stick to the silicone Sport Bands or the fabric Sport Loops if you’re getting wet.
Actionable Steps for Series 4 Owners
If you want to keep your Series 4 alive while enjoying the water, follow this checklist. Don't skip the rinse—it's the most important part.
- Check for Damage: Look closely at the heart rate sensor on the back and the glass on the front. Any cracks mean "stay away from water."
- Use Water Lock: Swipe into your Control Center (or press the side button on newer OS versions) and hit that droplet before you dive in.
- Rinse and Dry: After every swim, rinse with fresh tap water and use a lint-free cloth to dry it.
- Avoid Steam: Keep it out of saunas and steam rooms. The heat expands the metal and can cause the seals to fail instantly.
- Know When to Retire It: If you’re a daily swimmer and your Series 4 is starting to act glitchy, it might be time to look at an upgrade. The tech inside is aging, and the seals won't last forever.
Taking care of the Series 4 isn't hard, but it does require a bit of common sense. Treat it like a high-end tool, not a toy, and it'll keep tracking your laps for a long time to come. Just keep the soap away from it and don't go diving for shipwrecks, and you’ll be golden.