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The Apple Watch can sometimes display a water drop icon at the top of the screen, but what does that mean, and how does it affect users? The Apple Watch uses icons effectively to display more information on its tiny screen, but that can lead to some confusion over what certain icons mean. The device displays several icons on the dial, including many in the Control Center. While some of these are self-explanatory, others, like the water drop icon, can be a bit confusing for first-time Apple Watch users.
The good news is that the water drop icon is related to a unique feature that keeps Apple Watches safe from water damage. The icon indicates that the Water Lock feature is turned on, preventing users from accidentally interacting with the Apple Watch screen while in the water. Apple Watches are waterproof up to a depth of 50 meters, meaning users can not only wear them while doing the dishes or jogging in the rain but even while swimming in a pool or a shallow lake. This is where the Water Lock feature comes in handy, as it temporarily locks the screen while the device is underwater, and then clears out any residual water from the speaker when the user is back on dry land.
Water Drop Icon On Apple Watch
To turn on the Water Lock feature on an Apple Watch, swipe up on the watch face to open the Control Center. Now scroll down until the water drop symbol is visible, and tap it to enable the feature. Once Water Lock is activated, a blue/green drop of water will be visible at the top of the screen. The feature is automatically enabled when starting a water-based activity, like swimming or surfing. On the Apple Watch Ultra, the feature is also automatically switched on when the user begins a scuba dive.
Once Water Lock is enabled, the screen will no longer respond to taps. To turn off the feature, simply press and hold the Digital Crown on the side of the Apple Watch until the display says ‘Unlocked.’ In watchOS 8 or earlier, rotate the Digital Crown instead of pressing it. Once the Water Lock is disabled, the device can be used normally.
When the Water Lock is switched off, the Apple Watch will emit a series of sounds to clear out water from the speaker. Users can also clear out water manually from the Apple Watch speaker by turning Water Lock on and off once they are done with their water activity. Water Lock isn’t mandatory to use an Apple Watch in the water, as the device will remain waterproof even if the feature is activated or not. However, without Water Lock, the Apple Watch screen will remain functional and increase the chance of accidental inputs.
Source: Apple
