Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life – [Explained]
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 1 Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - Explained](https://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Apple-Watch-Charging-Time-and-Battery-Life-Explained.jpg)
Want to know how long Apple Watch takes to charge fully? How long Apple Watch battery last? In this blog post, I’ll briefly answer all your questions related to Apple Watch charging time and its battery life. I’ll be also sharing some quick step-by-step guides on how to charge Apple Watch and how to save power when power is low in Apple Watch all series. Before, that let’s understand a few basic things about Apple Watch.
Apple Watch is so capable enough that you’ll want to wear it all day long. And Apple claims that the Apple Watch battery lasts all day. The company goal for Apple Watch battery life is 18 hours after an overnight charge, depending on activities like receiving notifications, checking the time, using several apps, and doing a 60-minute workout.
About Apple Watch All-Day Battery Life Testing
In August 2021, Apple conducted Apple Watch All-Day Battery Life testing using preproduction Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS) and Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular), each paired with an iPhone. All devices were tested with prerelease software. Apple Watch battery life varies by cellular coverage, configuration, use, and many other factors; actual results will vary.
Apple Watch Battery and Performance
Apple Watch Series | Battery Capacity (mAh) | Charging Time | Battery Life | Talktime (LTE) | Audio Playback | Workout |
Apple Watch Series 7 |
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Up to 18 hours | Up to 1.5 hours |
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Apple Watch Series 6 |
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Apple Watch SE |
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Up to 18 hours | Up to 1.5 hours |
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Apple Watch Series 5 |
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Apple Watch Series 4 |
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Apple Watch Series 3 |
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Up to 18 hours |
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How To Find Apple Watch Model With iPhone
You can use the model number to find out which Apple Watch you are using. To find the Apple Watch model number, you need to find the watch app on the iPhone that the watch is paired with. And this is how you do it:
- Opens the Apple Watch app
- Tap on My clock > General > Info
- You look for the point in the list Model
- The model number consists of an “A” and four digits
- When the part number is displayed, tap Model to find the model number
Apple Watch Battery Capacity – Overview of All Models
Below you will find the Apple Watch model number, the nominal power in mAh (milliampere-hours), and the battery power in watt hours (Wh). The model numbers, which you can find both on the housing of the devices and in the settings, help you to determine your model exactly. But here is the table with the battery capacities (mAh & Wh) of all Apple Watch Series.
Model Number | Battery Capacity (mAh) | Battery Capacity (Wh) | |
Apple Watch (Gen 1), 38mm | A1553 | 205 mAh | 0.78 Wh |
Apple Watch (Gen 1), 42mm | A1554 | 246 mAh | 0.93 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 1, 38mm | A1802 | 205 mAh | 0.78 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 1, 42mm | A1803 | 246 mAh | 0.93 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 2, 38mm | A1757, A1816 | 273 mAh | 1.03 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 2, 42mm | A1758, A1817 | 334 mAh | 1.27 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 3, 38mm (GPS) | A1858 | 262 mAh | 1.00 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 3, 38mm (GPS + Cellular) | A1889, A1860 | 279 mAh | 1.07 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 3, 42mm (GPS) | A1859 | 342 mAh | 1.31 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 3, 42mm (GPS + Cellular) | A1891, A1861 | 352 mAh | 1.34 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 4, 40mm (GPS) | A1977 | 224.9 mAh | 0.858 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 4, 40mm (GPS + Cellular) | A2007, A1975 | 224.9 mAh | 0.858 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 4, 44mm (GPS) | A1978 | 291.8 mAh | 1.113 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 4, 44mm (GPS + Cellular) | A2008, A1976 | 291.8 mAh | 1.113 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 5, 40mm (GPS) | A2092 | 245 mAh | 0.944 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 5, 40mm (GPS + Cellular) | A2156, A2094 | 245 mAh | 0.944 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 5, 44mm (GPS) | A2093 | 296 mAh | 1.129 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 5, 44mm (GPS + Cellular) | A2157, A2095 | 296 mAh | 1.129 Wh |
Apple Watch SE, 40mm (GPS) | A2351 | 245 mAh | 0.944 Wh |
Apple Watch SE, 40mm (GPS + Cellular) | A2355, A2353 | 245 mAh | 0.944 Wh |
Apple Watch SE, 44mm (GPS) | A2352 | 296 mAh? | – |
Apple Watch SE, 44mm (GPS + Cellular) | A2356, A2354 | 296 mAh? | – |
Apple Watch Series 6, 40mm (GPS) | A2291 | 265.9 mAh | 1.024 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 6, 40mm (GPS + Cellular) | A2375, 2293 | 265.9 mAh | 1.024 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 6, 44mm (GPS) | A2992 | 303.8 mAh | 1.17 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 6, 44mm (GPS + Cellular) | A2376, A2294 | 303.8 mAh | 1.17 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 7, 41mm (GPS) | A2473 | 284.2 mAh | 1.094 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 7, 41mm (GPS + Cellular) | A2476, A2475 | 284.2 mAh | 1.094 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 7, 45mm (GPS) | A2474 | 308.8 mAh | 1.189 Wh |
Apple Watch Series 7, 45mm (GPS + Cellular) | A2478, A2477 | 308.8 mAh | 1.189 Wh |
Note on the models from Apple Watch Series 3: since this model, there has been a distinction between GPS and GPS cellular versions. The latter offers the use of the cellular network with the Apple Watch. You will see two model numbers on these editions of the watch. The first is for Europe and Asia, the second for North America.
If there is still no mAh or Wh value entered somewhere, then I have not found the information anywhere (secured). We are making an effort to ensure that keep the table up to date so that you can always find the latest values.
How To Set Up Charger of Apple Watch
Follow the below-mentioned steps to set up an Apple Watch charger to charge the device:
- In a well-ventilated area, place your charger or charging cable on a flat surface.
- Your Apple Watch comes with the Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable (Apple Watch Series 7 only) or the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable (earlier models).
- You can also use a MagSafe Duo Charger or Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock (sold separately).
- Plug the charging cable into the Apple Watch power adapter (sold separately).
- Plug the adapter into a power outlet source.
Note: Fast charging in Apple Watch is not available in all regions.
How To Charge Apple Watch | How Apple Watch Charge
Want to know how Apple Watch charging works? If your Apple Watch battery is low, you’ll see the low battery icon on the display of your Apple Watch. To charge your Apple Watch, follow the below-mentioned steps:
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 2 How To Charge Apple Watch and How Apple Watch Charge](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/How-To-Charge-Apple-Watch-and-How-Apple-Watch-Charge.jpg)
- Plug the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable / Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charging USB-C Cable / Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock into a USB power adapter.
- Plug the adapter into a power outlet or source.
- You can also plug the Apple Watch charging cable into a USB port.
- Position the back of your Apple Watch on the charger.
- The concave end of the charging cable magnetically snaps to the back of your Apple Watch and aligns it properly.
- You hear a chime when charging begins and see a green charging symbol on the watch’s face.
- If the symbol is red, it means Apple Watch needs power and turns green when Apple Watch is charging.
- Give your Apple Watch time to charge. While your device is charging, your Apple Watch goes into Nightstand mode.
watchOS 7 and later allow your Apple Watch to learn from your daily charging habits and improve the lifespan of your battery.
Note: Handle your Apple Watch and its accessories safely and always take off your watch before charging it. You can charge your Apple Watch in a flat position with its band open, or on its side.
Tips: How To Charge An Apple Watch Correct Way
- If you’re using the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock or MagSafe Duo Charger: Lay your Apple Watch on the dock while charging.
- If your battery is very low: You may see an image of the Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable or Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable and the red color low battery symbol on the screen.
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 3 Apple Watch Series 7 Charging](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Apple-Watch-Series-7-Charging.png)
Apple Watch Series 7
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 4 Apple Watch Series 6 Charging](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Apple-Watch-Series-6-Charging.png)
Apple Watch Series 6
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 5 Apple Watch SE Charging](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Apple-Watch-SE-Charging.png)
Apple Watch SE
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 6 Apple Watch Series 4 and Apple Watch Series 5](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Apple-Watch-Series-4-and-Apple-Watch-Series-5.png)
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple Watch Series 5
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 7 Apple Watch Series 3 Charging](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Apple-Watch-Series-3-Charging.png)
Apple Watch Series 3
WARNING: For important safety information about the battery and charging Apple Watch, see Important safety information for Apple Watch.
Fast Charge on Apple Watch Series 7
Learn what you need to fast charge your Apple Watch Series 7
If you have Apple Watch Series 7, you can charge your watch quickly with fast charging. With a fast charge, your Apple Watch battery level can go from 0% to 80% in about 45 minutes. Fast charging requires an Apple USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable. This cable has aluminum around the magnetic charger and a USB-C connector.
You also need one of these power adapters to fast charge your Apple Watch Series 7:
- Apple 18W, 20W, 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W, or 96W USB-C Power Adapter.
- A comparable third-party USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) of 5W or greater.
If you’re not sure which Apple Power Adapter you have, check the wattage on the top or bottom of the adapter. Here’s how to check the wattage of the Apple power adapter:
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 8 how to check the wattage of the Apple power adapter](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/how-to-check-the-wattage-of-the-Apple-power-adapter.jpg)
How To Check Battery on Apple Watch
To check the remaining power or battery percentage on Apple Watch, follow the below-mentioned steps:
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 9 How To Check Battery on Apple Watch](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/How-To-Check-Battery-on-Apple-Watch.jpg)
- Touch and hold the bottom of the screen.
- Then swipe up to open Control Center.
- To more quickly check the remaining power, add a battery complication to the watch face. See Customize the watch face.
How To Prevent Apps From Refreshing in Background on Apple Watch
When you switch to a new app on Apple Watch, the app you were using doesn’t remain open or take up system resources, but it may still “refresh”—check for updates and new content—in the background.
Refreshing apps in the background can use power. To maximize battery life on Apple Watch, you can turn this option off.
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Go to General > Background App Refresh.
- Turn off Background App Refresh to prevent all apps from refreshing.
- Or scroll down, then turn off refresh for individual apps.
Note: Apps with complications on the current watch face will continue to refresh, even when their background app refresh setting is off.
How To Save Power When Battery is Low on Apple Watch
To save power when the battery is low on Apple Watch, you can put your Apple Watch in Power Reserve mode to stretch the remaining battery power. Your Apple Watch still displays the time, but you can’t use apps. To do so, follow the below steps:
- Touch and hold the bottom of the screen
- Then swipe up to open Control Center.
- Tap the battery percentage.
- Then drag the Power Reserve slider to the right.
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 10 How To Save Power When Battery is Low on Apple Watch](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/How-To-Save-Power-When-Battery-is-Low-on-Apple-Watch.jpg)
Apple Watch Battery Tip: If you have battery-powered devices such as Appel AirPods connected to your Apple Watch via Bluetooth, their remaining charge appears on this screen.
When battery charge drops to 10% or lower, your Apple Watch alerts you and gives you the opportunity to enter Power Reserve mode.
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 11 Apple Watch Save power when the battery is low](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Apple-Watch-Save-power-when-the-battery-is-low.jpg)
When your Apple Watch is almost out of power, it enters Power Reserve mode automatically.
Apple Watch Battery Tip: For tips on maximizing battery life, see Maximizing Battery Life and Lifespan on the Apple website.
How To Return To Normal Power Mode on Apple Watch
Follow the below-mentioned steps to return to normal power mode on Apple Watch:
- Restart your Apple Watch.
- To do so, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
- The battery must have at least a 10% charge for your Apple Watch to restart.
How To Check Time Since Last Charge on Apple Watch
To check the time since the last charge on Apple Watch, follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Tap Battery.
- The Battery screen shows the remaining battery percentage, a graph that details the recent history of the battery charge, and information about when the battery was last charged.
How To Check Battery Health on Apple Watch
To check battery health on Apple Watch and find out the capacity of your Apple Watch battery relative to when it was new, follow the below steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Tap Battery.
- Then tap Battery Health.
Apple Watch alerts you if battery capacity is seriously reduced, allowing you to check your service options.
How To Use Optimized Battery Charging on Apple Watch
To reduce battery aging on Apple Watch, the Watch uses on-device machine learning to learn your daily charging routines so it can wait to finish charging past 80% until you need to use it.
Here’s how to use optimized battery charging on Apple Watch:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Tap Battery.
- Then tap Battery Health.
- Turn on Optimized Battery Charging.
How To Turn On or Off Power Reserve on Apple Watch
When your Apple Watch battery drops to 10%, your smartwatch alerts you and asks if you want to use Power Reserve. When the battery gets too low, your watch automatically enters Power Reserve, and the red color low battery icon appears next to the time. Learn how to maximize your battery life and lifespan.
![Apple Watch Charging Time and Battery Life - [Explained] 12 How To Use Power Reserve on Apple Watch](http://gadgetsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/How-To-Use-Power-Reserve-on-Apple-Watch.jpg)
To Turn On Power Reserve on Apple Watch:
- Swipe up on the watch face to open Control Center.
- Tap the battery percentage.
- Drag the Power Reserve slider, then tap Proceed.
To Turn Off Power Reserve on Apple Watch
- Press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
- Wait for your Apple Watch to restart.
- You might need to charge your Apple Watch first.
How To Use Power Reserve on Apple Watch
Power Reserve lets you see the time on your Apple Watch while preserving your battery life. While your Apple Watch is in Power Reserve, press the side button to show the current time. In Power Reserve, your Apple Watch and iPhone won’t communicate, and you can’t access other watch features.
How To Fix Apple Watch Won’t Charge or Won’t Turn On
Try the steps below if you need help or can’t charge your Apple Watch or your Apple Watch won’t turn on.
If you use a third-party charging stand for Apple Watch, use the original charging cable that shipped in the box with your Apple Watch. If your Apple Watch won’t charge or you see a message on your watch that charging with this accessory isn’t supported:
- Make sure that you plug the Apple Magnetic Charging Cable or USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable all the way into the USB Power Adapter, then make sure that you plug the adapter all the way into a power outlet.
- Make sure that you’re using the Apple Magnetic Charging Cable or USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable that came with your Apple Watch.
- Completely remove any plastic wrap from both sides of the charger.
- Make sure that the back of your Apple Watch and the magnetic charger are clean.
- Position the back of your Apple Watch on the charger. The charger’s magnets align with your Apple Watch, and you should see a green lightning bolt on the watch face.
- If your Apple Watch still won’t charge, force it to restart. Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds, or until you see the Apple logo.
- Try a different Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable or USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable, and a different USB Power Adapter.
- If your Apple Watch is out of power, you might need to wait a few minutes for the green lightning bolt to appear after you start charging your device.
Want To Track Sleep With Apple Watch; But, When Do You Charge It?
The great news is that there is a way for you to still wear your Watch for most of the day while enjoying the added benefit of using your Watch to track sleep at night without having your battery die. The key is to adopt the correct daily charging habit.
Let’s get started with some basic fundamentals. According to Apple, one can expect it to take 90 minutes to charge an Apple Watch battery from 0% to 80%. Furthermore, one can expect about 18 hours of Apple Watch battery life with typical use.
For example, if you typically go to bed at 10:00 pm; then we recommend adopting a habit of starting to charge your Watch at 8:30 pm or 9:00 pm before putting your Watch back on your wrist for sleep. Alternatively, some users prefer to charge the Watch for about 30-45 minutes in the morning when getting ready or showering and for another 30-45 minutes in the evening prior to bedtime.
Read: 10 Best Apple Watch Apps For Sleep Tracking
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does an Apple Watch take to charge?
According to Apple, one can expect Apple Watch to take 90 minutes to charge the battery from 0% to 80%.
What is the battery life of the Apple Watch?
In a single full charge, one can expect about 18 hours of Apple Watch battery life with typical use.
Why is my Apple Watch dying so quickly?
It could be several factors, from your display brightness, watch usage, fitness tracking, or something more integral like an iOS update or hardware fault. If you have an older Apple Watch, we’d recommend upgrading to the Series 7.
Are there any other ways to conserve battery on the Apple Watch?
You can switch on Power Reserve mode by opening the control center, tapping the battery percentage, toggling on Power Reserve, and tapping Proceed. This will turn your Apple Watch into a barebones digital watch to conserve battery.
Can I replace the battery in my Apple Watch?
If you’re in the US, you can replace a battery for $79 if Apple’s warranty no longer covers your watch.
How can I check my Apple Watch battery health?
Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Check the Maximum Capacity figure to get an idea of how healthy your Apple Watch’s battery is. If it’s below 80%, you should consider replacing the battery.
Can you charge an Apple Watch on any wireless charger?
There are several wireless chargers you can purchase to charge your Apple Watch, but not all of them will work. The best way to confirm if a charger is compatible is to check the devices available on the Apple website.
How long it takes to charge an Apple Watch?
According to Apple’s product testing, Apple Watch Series 3 and 4 take around one and a half hours to charge from zero to 80%, and about two hours to charge from zero to 100%, using the Magnetic Charging Cable — though charge times can vary “with environmental factors.”