Is the Galaxy Watch 5 waterproof?

It’s hard to be taken seriously as a fitness tracker if you can’t join athletes in the pool. Samsung just launched its brand new lineup of flagship smartwatches, but how does the latest Galaxy Watch series stand up to water? Find out everything you need to know about whether or not your new Galaxy Watch 5 is waterproof.

Is the Galaxy Watch 5 series waterproof?

To be specific, no device is truly waterproof. However, many devices exhibit water resistance. This means they can stand up to water without damage, but only under certain specifications. All devices in the Galaxy Watch 5 series have a water resistance rating of 5ATM. They can safely endure water pressure up to a depth of 50 meters, so you can take a shower or clock laps in the pool while wearing your Galaxy Watch 5.

However, if you plan to swim for longer than 30 minutes, it’s best not to take your watch with you. The Galaxy Watch 5 features an international standard rating of IP68, making it fit to withstand dust, dirt, and sand, as well as up to thirty minutes of submersion at 1.5m depths or less. The Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro are  great smartwatches for swimming, but maybe not for long-distance open-water swims.

Water lock your Galaxy Watch 5

If you plan to take your watch for a swim, Samsung suggests enabling Water Lock. Once enabled, Water Lock mode deactivates your touchscreen, wake-up gestures, and always-on display. Once you finish swimming, you can turn off Water Lock to eject residual water from your device.

• Swipe up to access the Quick panel on your Galaxy Watch 5 and tap the Water lock symbol (two water droplets).
• Your device is locked when water drop icons appear over your watch face.
• To disable Water lock mode, press and hold the home key for two seconds.

See also: How to change your Galaxy Watch band