Apple Watch Mic Not Working After a Swim: How to Fix

Have you encountered the Apple Watch mic not working problem? Did it happen after a swim? We completely hear your frustration.

One of the Apple Watch’s main benefits is its water-resistant design, which makes it a useful companion when you’re going into the water. Turning off Water Lock should solve the issue with your microphone not working, but it won’t always do that — and neither will recharging your device.

In this guide, we’ll show you what you can do if your Apple Watch microphone stops working after you’ve been for a swim.

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Be Careful When Fixing Your Apple Watch…

Tough tempting, do not insert anything into your Apple Watch’s microphone port or shake your watch to remove any remaining water!

Apple also warns us that compressed air, ultrasonic cleaning, and external heat sources potentially cause damage and shouldn’t be used with your Apple Watch.

Step 1: Remove Water From Your Apple Watch Speaker

Okay, so we’re aware that the speaker and microphone are two different areas of your Apple Watch. Nonetheless, it’s worth trying this tip anyway.

After just finishing your swim or workout:

Turn the Digital Crown to unlock the screen and clear any water from your Apple Watch. You hear sounds and feel vibrations, but don’t worry; this is normal. Note that some water might eject onto your wrist or elsewhere.

If a lot of time has passed since your swim, try using the Water Lock feature.

1. Tap the Action Button to reveal your Apple Watch Control Center.
2. Select Water Lock.
3. Hold the Digital Crown down. The water should then eject from your Apple Watch.

Some people say that doing the above 20+ times eventually cleared all of the water from their microphones. However, you may find that doing this is a bit excessive if you try it each day.

Use a Towel

Another option is to use your towel. Just squeeze your Watch gently with your towel a few times and then keep it off your wrist to dry out for about an hour.

Don’t leave your watch drying in the sun! Keep it shaded; a nice and gentle breeze is even better.

Check Your Siri Settings

If your Apple Watch microphone doesn’t work after a swim, it’s worth checking to ensure that Siri is switched on. That way, your test will be more accurate.

1. Go to Settings > Siri.
2. Tap the tab in the Ask Siri section.
3. Make sure that Off is NOT turned on.

Restart Your Apple Watch

Apple often suggests restarting a device if it isn’t working properly. So, if your Apple Watch microphone has stopped functioning properly after your swim, you should switch your watch off and on again.

To restart your Apple Watch, hold the Action Button until you see the option to turn off your device or perform an SOS call. Tap the standby button and slide to power off.

After your device has switched off, you can turn it back on again by holding the Action button until the Apple logo appears.

Digital Crown Stuck or Not Moving?

Some of our tips today have required that you can use your Digital Crown. So, you will naturally need to make adjustments if you notice that the Digital Crown is stuck.

Here’s what you can try:

1. Hold the Digital Crown under lightly running, warm, fresh water from a faucet for 10 to 15 seconds. DO NOT soaps and/or other cleaning products as these can cause permanent damage.
2. Turn and press the Digital Crown continuously as water runs over the small gap between the crown and the housing.
3. Dry your Apple Watch with a non-abrasive, lint-free cleaning cloth.

Water Resistance Fades Over Time!

Apple also warns that for all Watch Series that its water resistance can diminish over time. And unfortunately, there is no way to check before a problem occurs.

To keep your Apple Watch in tip-top shape, make sure you avoid anything that inhibits its water resistance. These include each of the following:

• Dropping Apple Watch and similar.
• Exposing Apple Watch to soap or soapy water, even when showering, bathing, or washing your hands or dishes.
• Using perfume, solvents, detergent, acids or acidic foods, insect repellent, lotions, sunscreen, oil, or hair dye in the area of your Apple Watch.
• High-velocity watersports. Take off your Watch before engaging in these type of activities.
• Wearing your Apple Watch in saunas, steam rooms, and similar hot or humid environments.

Final Destination: Apple Support

If these tips did not help you fix your Apple Watch, your next best destination is Apple Support. One of the company’s support team members should be able to diagnose your problem, and you should also be able to find out whether or not it’s something that can be fixed.

You can contact Apple Support by going to support.apple.com. If you have AppleCare+, you should hopefully be able to get the issue fixed without needing to pay too much — but this won’t always be the case.

What Exactly Are the Apple Watch’s Water-Resistant Capabilities?

To stop this issue from reoccurring, it’s a good idea to understand what your Apple Watch can actually withstand when you’re swimming. According to Apple, the Apple Watch Series 2 and later can withstand a submersion of up to 50 meters in water. For most casual swimmers, this should not be a problem whatsoever.

The Apple Watch Ultra fares better in this respect, and can handle up to 100 meters underwater.

When it comes to activities you can use your device for, Apple says that Ultra users can “wear it during recreational scuba diving up to 130 feet (40 meters)  and other activities like swimming, showering, and water skiing.”

For the Apple Watch Series 2 and later, the company says:

Apple Watch Series 2 and later can be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean, but you shouldn’t use models other than Apple Watch Ultra or later for diving, water skiing, or other activities involving submersion below shallow depth or high-velocity water.

If you use the Apple Watch Series 1, it’s recommended that you don’t use these for any kind of submersion. The reason is that these are splash and water resistant, but they’re not as well-protected as the other devices already mentioned.

To Summarize: Be Careful When Using Your Apple Watch While Swimming

While Apple Watches are water-resistant, that doesn’t mean they can withstand all forms of submersion. If you swim at depths greater than what’s recommended for your device, you could find it incredibly difficult to avoid damage. On top of that, you might also void any warranties that you previously had.

You shouldn’t overthink wearing your Apple Watch while swimming, but it’s a good idea to understand its limitations. Hopefully, this guide has helped you both do that and fix the issue with your mic not working after you get out of the water.

If anything worked for you that we haven’t discussed, feel free to let us know in the comments.

Danny Maiorca

Danny has been a professional writer since graduating from university in 2016, but he’s been writing online for over a decade. He has been intrigued by Apple products ever since getting an iPod Shuffle in 2008 and particularly enjoys writing about iPhones and iPads. Danny prides himself on making complex topics easy to understand. In his spare time, he’s a keen photographer.