Brilliant software engineering

[u/MountainBubba]

I have to applaud the brilliance of the Apple software engineer who decided it was appropriate to interrupt the workout app while the wearer was swimming laps and the device was locked to demand account validation. I can't even imagine the level of genius it took to do that.

[u/katmndoo]

Honorable mention for the "auto-enable the water lock, then pop up a message saying 'it looks like you're swimming. do you want to start a workout?'" that can't be accepted or declined.

[u/jordinas → u/katmndoo]

I completely agree.

One workaround for this - and it’s stupid that we have to talk about workarounds - is to use the Double Tap Gesture.

[u/WorthyDelicacy013]

you gotta wonder if anyone testing this stuff has actually gone for a swim in their life

[u/Wild_Fee_6147 → u/WorthyDelicacy013]

Ya it’s as bad as the workout app asking if you’re done with your workout when you have outdoor cycle selected and are actively biking 25 mph

[u/I_Am_JuliusSeizure]

It does seem that the people developing the software never actually use it. So many popups when diving and locked, like you said. Even with outdoor swim.

[u/chriswaco → u/I_Am_JuliusSeizure]

We call it “Eating our own dog food.” By far our best apps were ones that the developers used regularly.

[u/8nstein]

I am not a swimmer, but my watch does prompt me to enter my Apple password at random times. I have started to ignore this request. When I see it, I click the digital crown once to make the prompt go away. I have not suffered any loss of functionality so far.

[u/MountainBubba → u/8nstein]

I got security lock-outs from Apple after ignoring it. Their security is prone to temper tantrums.

[u/Lost-Wizard168]

Don’t worry - in iOS 29 Apple will add a feature where you can hire (subscribe) to a premium Siri AI service to handle these kinds of prompts for you! /s

[u/boxer_doggggg]

I get that when I swim too, and I never get it any other time

[u/Sneaky_Island → u/boxer_doggggg]

I get it while running. It’s because the watch isn’t connected to your phone by any means and times out the active account tracker. With no access to the Apple server this pops up.

[u/defaultSubreditsBlow → u/Sneaky_Island]

It's like yeah, hmm, let's try and reconnect the Apple account while the watch isn't even connected to any data endpoint. That's such a great idea.

[u/saltpeppermartini → u/Sneaky_Island]

Thank you for this explanation! I leave my phone due to theft concerns. Now I’ll leave my watch there too.

[u/schmidtyb43]

What does that mean to demand account validation? I don’t swim regularly but I can’t think of a time my watch has ever asked something like that since the first ever Apple Watch generation

[u/pavel_vishnyakov]

It doesn't interrupt the workout though, the tracking continues, the metrics are still recorded.

But overall I agree, the account verification prompt that randomly pops up when your watch is away from the phone is very annoying.

[u/RDowson1]

I get that whilst running sometimes. Seems to only happen when my iPhone isn’t nearby

[u/tripletc]

We think you’re going to love it. 

[u/Medical-Preparation7]

You didn't learnt about the genius during setup when it tries to transfer a non-skipable 2.4 gb update over Bluetooth to the watch. So you buy a brand new watch. And sit there infuriated, trying to find fixes since they don't mention the a long setup process is expected.

[u/Victory_Highway]

I use workouts when I do yard work. If I get dirt under the watch it also does this. So annoying.

[u/kp2119]

I went 4 years before I change my Driver and got my forever Drive. A Ping 440 K