What to Do If You Drop Your Smartwatch in Water
Fitness bands and smartwatches are absolutely crucial for modern society. They help us track our day-to-day activity, monitor our health, and standardize our daily routines. Naturally, if you drop your wristband or smartwatch in a puddle of water, you’d be unhappy, to say the least. Well, even if it was an accidental splash or a full-on submersion, you could always do something about it. This article dives headfirst into handling water exposure to minimize damage.
1. Check the Water Resistance Rating
First things first - you gotta know the water resistance rating of your smartwatch. Some are designed to withstand only a quick splash, while others can handle full-on submersions. The main indicators of water resistance are the IP rating and the ATM rating. For instance, IP68 implies your smartwatch can handle a splash or two and maybe a brief submersion. A rating of 5 ATM implies you can submerge your watch in up to 50 meters of water, so it’s safe to swim but a no-no for deep dive.
2. Turn Off the Watch Immediately
If your smartwatch or fitness band accidentally comes into contact with water, power it off as soon as possible! Should you neglect it, you risk having to deal with worse circumstances - further damage to the internal components and short circuits that might destroy the device altogether. If you don’t have an off button on your device, just make sure you place it in power-saving mode.
3. Remove the Band and Accessories
Everything that you can remove - should go. Take off the straps and any kind of accessories to allow water to escape quickly. It also helps with drying and prevents moisture from getting trapped inside.
First things first - you gotta know the water resistance rating of your smartwatch. Some are designed to withstand only a quick splash, while others can handle full-on submersions. The main indicators of water resistance are the IP rating and the ATM rating. For instance, IP68 implies your smartwatch can handle a splash or two and maybe a brief submersion. A rating of 5 ATM implies you can submerge your watch in up to 50 meters of water, so it’s safe to swim but a no-no for deep dive.
2. Turn Off the Watch Immediately
If your smartwatch or fitness band accidentally comes into contact with water, power it off as soon as possible! Should you neglect it, you risk having to deal with worse circumstances - further damage to the internal components and short circuits that might destroy the device altogether. If you don’t have an off button on your device, just make sure you place it in power-saving mode.
3. Remove the Band and Accessories
Everything that you can remove - should go. Take off the straps and any kind of accessories to allow water to escape quickly. It also helps with drying and prevents moisture from getting trapped inside.
4. Gently Dry the Watch
Dab away all excess water with a soft, absorbent microfiber cloth. Don’t press too hard, though. It will only push water further into the device. Pay particular attention to the charging port, buttons, and your device’s speaker. Also, if your watch has a built-in speaker, it might be a good idea to try a low-frequency app like Clear Wave that will literally vibrate water out of the speaker.
5. Air Dry in a Safe, Ventilated Space
Dry the smartwatch in a dry and well-ventilated area to evaporate moisture. Just don’t use any heat source like hair dryers or direct sunlight. These could be detrimental to the sensitive internal components. Also, you can place the watch in an airtight container with silica gel packets to absorb all moisture for good. Avoid using rice; it will leave dust and debris inside the watch.
Dab away all excess water with a soft, absorbent microfiber cloth. Don’t press too hard, though. It will only push water further into the device. Pay particular attention to the charging port, buttons, and your device’s speaker. Also, if your watch has a built-in speaker, it might be a good idea to try a low-frequency app like Clear Wave that will literally vibrate water out of the speaker.
5. Air Dry in a Safe, Ventilated Space
Dry the smartwatch in a dry and well-ventilated area to evaporate moisture. Just don’t use any heat source like hair dryers or direct sunlight. These could be detrimental to the sensitive internal components. Also, you can place the watch in an airtight container with silica gel packets to absorb all moisture for good. Avoid using rice; it will leave dust and debris inside the watch.
Remove water smartwatch
These simple-to-follow guidelines could be your lifesavers if your smartwatch or fitness band got into the water. Act quickly, and there’s a solid chance you’ll manage to save the device from further damage!
FAQ
Q: Can I swim with a smartwatch that has a 5 ATM rating?
A: Yes, a 5 ATM rating means your smartwatch can handle shallow swimming but isn’t suitable for high-pressure water activities like deep-sea diving.
Q: What should I avoid when drying my smartwatch?
A: Avoid using heat sources like hair dryers or placing the device in direct sunlight, as these can damage the watch’s internal components.
Q: Are all smartwatches waterproof?
A: No, not all smartwatches are waterproof. Some are water-resistant, which means they can handle splashes but not full submersion. Always check the specific rating of your device.
A: Yes, a 5 ATM rating means your smartwatch can handle shallow swimming but isn’t suitable for high-pressure water activities like deep-sea diving.
Q: What should I avoid when drying my smartwatch?
A: Avoid using heat sources like hair dryers or placing the device in direct sunlight, as these can damage the watch’s internal components.
Q: Are all smartwatches waterproof?
A: No, not all smartwatches are waterproof. Some are water-resistant, which means they can handle splashes but not full submersion. Always check the specific rating of your device.