Can You Wear Your Apple Watch When Going Through Airport Security?
I’m a new Apple Watch owner just getting used to wearing a watch again. Since I travel quite a bit, I wondered if I’d have any problems wearing an Apple Watch while going through security. I didn’t think it would be an issue.
For a reference point, I’m wearing the Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular functionality. I tried wearing the watch through TSA PreCheck and “standard” security. In both cases, I did not mention anything to the agent working the line.
In the PreCheck line, I walked through the metal detector and had no issues. Similarly, I wasn’t flagged going through a standard security line with a full body scanner. I was pretty sure the machine would pick it up and the agent would frisk my arm. I was wrong. For clarity, I was wearing a long sleeve dress shirt.
One Final Test
I played dumb going through a TSA PreCheck lane and asked a TSA agent if I was okay to wear my watch through the metal detector. I tugged up my sleeve and showed the watch. The agent was definitely not paying a ton of attention. There was a mild shrug and a nod of the head. Shortly thereafter, I was through security again and on my way.
The Final Two Pennies
Maybe I just obsess about odd things, but I was curious what would happen when heading through security with my Apple Watch. I haven’t worn a watch in a very long time. I’ve never really thought about the sensitivity of the metal detectors for such things. This appears to be a non-issue.
The post Can You Wear Your Apple Watch When Going Through Airport Security? was published first on Pizza in Motion
I wear a Garmin Android type gps watch through tsa and other security lines all over the world and have never had a problem over the past few years. Even places like Israel but I assume if you got a model with lots of metal or bling on it you might run into issues. My watch is mostly plastic.
Dan, how do you like the Garmin Android?
It really is different sometimes overseas, often in a capricious and random way. To avoid problems, I will often just put the watch in the pocket of a carryon while going through security. Happy travels!
docntx, no doubt I see arbitrary rules in airport security. Heck, you don’t even need to go overseas for those!
It’s hit or miss for me. It usually doesn’t alarm, but on occasion, it will. So I just take it off.
Elijah, interesting. Any airports pop up frequently for the watch setting off the alarm?
Got zinged in body scanner in San Diego today wearing my new apple 4 watch. I will be removing it from now on, though I’ve never had that happen with my earlier apple watch.
Wsm, that’s unfortunate to hear. I wonder if they solved the Bluetooth issue with Apple Watch 4. I found I couldn’t use any Bluetooth headset other than Airpods or I got interference from the watch.
On a flight back to IAH from YYC, the Canadian security agent hassled me for wearing my watch, fitness tracker (other wrist) and belt buckle. I walked through the detector and he said “Well, you’re wearing a lot of metal” when the alarms went off. It earned me a full pat down or a body scan, but he had already pat down half my body, so I just told him to finish up, lol. I didn’t see any signs saying to remove them, nor did any of the agents tell me anything when I pointed them out before going through.
First time using pre-clearance facility too! A bit strange, holding CAD to burn at duty-free while talking to US CBP agents, haha.