Charging your Apple Watch is a breeze once you know the steps. As an experienced Apple user, let me guide you through charging any Apple Watch model with the magnetic cable that came included.
Whether you have a newer Series 7 or 8, or an older Apple Watch, you can easily power up by following this process. We’ll also explore fast charging capabilities, monitor battery health, and I’ll share some of my own charging tips.
So grab your magnetic charging cable and let’s charge up!
Overview: The 4 Essential Steps to Charge Apple Watch
Here is a high-level overview of the 4 key steps to charge any Apple Watch:
- Set up the magnetic charger on a flat surface
- Connect the charging cable to a wall adapter or other power source
- Plug the power adapter or connected device into an outlet
- Align your Apple Watch onto the magnetic charger
Below I’ll walk through each step in detail, with helpful illustrations and troubleshooting advice.
Tip: Always make sure to remove Apple Watch from your wrist before charging for safety and comfort.
Now let’s get your watch powered up!
Step 1: Optimal Charger Setup
The first step is getting your magnetic charging cable ready:
Ideally, place your Apple Watch charger cable on a hard, flat surface like a table or nightstand. Soft surfaces can block airflow.
Choose an open location away from any direct heat or sunlight which could damage the battery over time. I like to charge on my bedroom nightstand while sleeping.
Use only the original Apple-designed magnetic charging cable that came with your watch. Third parties often skimp on safety features.
For Apple Watch Series 7 and newer, use the USB-C cable. Older models use the USB-A style connector.
Step 2: Connect Cable to Power Source
Next, plug your magnetic Apple Watch charging cable into a wall adapter or another power source:
For Series 7 and 8, Apple recommends their 20W Power Adapter for optimal fast charging. Lower wattage adapters still work.
You can also plug into a USB-C port on a MacBook, iPad, or another device. This may charge slower.
For older watches, any standard 5V 1A power source will work, like an iPhone adapter.
Avoid low-powered ports on keyboards or monitors to prevent issues. Only use reputable power adapters certified by Apple MFi standards.
Step 3: Plug Adapter Into Power Source
The power adapter should now be securely connected to your watch‘s charging cable:
Insert the wall adapter into any standard wall outlet, or connect the USB end into your computer, external battery, or car charger.
Take caution with any loose, damaged, or faulty outlets. Likewise inspect your cords and power bricks for deterioration or heating, and replace as needed.
Step 4: Align Watch onto Magnetic Charger
The final step is placing your Apple Watch onto the charging cable:
Correctly aligned, your watch will magnetically snap into place on the circular charger. The green lightning bolt icon means charging is in progress.
Troubleshooting tip: If your watch isn‘t charging, carefully reposition it on the charger until the icon appears. Be gentle to avoid scratching.
Now that your watch is powered up, let‘s discuss what to expect while charging and how to optimize battery health.
Comparing Charging: Series 7-8 vs Older Watches
Newer Apple Watches charge faster, but require more power:
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 7-8 | Older Models |
|---|---|---|
| Cable | USB-C | USB-A |
| Adapter Wattage | 20W+ | 5V 1A |
| 0-80% Charge Time | ~45 minutes | ~2 hours |
| 0-100% Charge Time | ~75 minutes | ~2.5 hours |
So Series 7 and 8 owners should take full advantage of fast charging capabilities!
What to Expect While Charging
When charging, your Apple Watch will shift into Nightstand mode:
The display stays on showing watch face, battery percentage, time and date. Tap the screen if it goes dark.
Pro tip: Use Nightstand mode as an alarm clock while charging on your night table.
You can also manually enable Nightstand Mode without charging using Control Center.
Maintaining Battery Health
Optimized Battery Charging helps maintain capacity:
This feature pauses charging before 100% to reduce wear, unless you override it. Keep this enabled in Settings > Battery > Battery Health.
Avoid exposing your watch to temperature extremes or leaving fully charged for extended periods. For optimal lifespan, discharge around 50% before recharging.
Here are some other charging tips from my experience:
- Toggle Airplane mode overnight to avoid battery drain
- Lower brightness before bedtime
- Close apps not actively in use
- Turn off Always On display if not needed
Have more questions on charging your Apple Watch? Let‘s discuss in the comments!
