Mobility was the biggest game changer in the technological revolution. What started with the laptop soon expanded into handheld computers, smartphones, and even smaller devices, like the Apple Watch. However, the one caveat with portable tech is they run on batteries that need to be charged.
The charging options on the Apple Watch are restrictive compared to other smartwatch options. Your main choices are using the conventional Apple Watch charger or a MagSafe Duo. New Apple Watches also support fast charging.
Often, your Apple Watch needs a quick charge, but you do not have access to your preferred charging device. So, what do you do when your Apple Watch’s battery is flat, and you need to get it going? Let’s look at the options available to you.
How to Charge an Apple Watch Using a Regular Apple Watch Charger
The easiest way to charge your Apple Watch is using the default Apple Watch charger. It is the charger you receive in the box when you buy a new Apple Watch.
The advantage of using the standard charger is you know you are using the charger explicitly designed for your Apple Watch model.
Although uncommon, some users report using a different Apple Watch charger damaged their Apple Watch.
How to Use the Regular Apple Watch Charger
The standard charger you receive with your Apple Watch is a straightforward device. It is a small round wireless charger, commonly called the puck.
The puck is connected to a standard charging cable. The charging cable connector may be a USB-A connector (commonly seen on flash drives). Alternatively, it could be a USB-C connector (the modern connector found on the newer iPhone charging cables.
- Start by peeling the plastic protectors off the puck’s top and bottom.
- Next, plug the charger into an appropriate charging brick, depending on the available USB connecter.
- Finally, with your charger set up, it’s time to connect and charge your Apple Watch.
Connecting the Apple Watch to the Standard Apple Watch Charger
The two sides of the charging puck differ slightly. The back of the puck is the completely flat side. The front has a slight, circular concave.
The concave front of the puck is formed to perfectly accommodate the convex shape of the back of your Apple Watch. Unfortunately, keeping your Apple Watch attached to the charging puck is challenging despite the perfect molding.
Fortunately, the charging puck is also magnetic. The Apple Wach has corresponding magnets that help keep the puck and watch connected.
Tips on Using a Standard Apple Watch Charger
Even though the magnet system keeps the watch and puck connected, that connection is weaker than one might hope. So to ensure the two don’t disconnect while charging, set the charger up on a flat surface where it is unlikely to get moved or knocked.
Don’t Use Third-Party Chargers
It’s best not to use third-party chargers. Although there are few reports of a third-party charger damaging an Apple Watch, there are endless reports of these charging the Apple Watch incredibly slowly.
Additionally, third-party Apple Watch chargers do not last as long as authentic Apple chargers. In our experience, even the most expensive third-party chargers barely last six months. They usually fail much sooner than that.
Use the Correct Charging Brick
The charging brick you use affects the speed at which the Apple Watch charger charges your device. Older Apple Watch models are meant to charge on the standard five-watt charging brick.
Conversely, newer models like the Series 7 and 8 can use the newer twenty-watt Apple fast charger. Apple claims this can charge up to 80% in one hour and 100% in 90 minutes.
How to Charge an Apple Watch Using the MagSafe Duo
The Apple MagSafe Duo (on Amazon) is a practical charging solution that combines an iPhone MagSafe Charging pad and an Apple Watch charger to the right-hand side of the pad. Many users praise the device for its convenience.
Our experience is that the combo is gimmicky when you already have an iPhone MagSafe charger and the standard Apple Watch charger.
In addition, if a MagSafe Duo starts giving problems, you lose the ability to charge both devices.
Use the Magsafe Duo to Charge Your Apple Watch
Functionally, there is no difference between using the MagSafe Duo and the regular Apple Watch Charger. One advantage of the MagSafe Duo is it’s already a charging pad that sits firmly on a flat surface.
Therefore, there is no need to fuss with keeping it in place when charging your Apple Watch.
To charge your Apple Watch on the Duo, place it on the appropriate charging pad on the right-hand side. The magnets will snap your watch into place.
The speed at which the MagSafe Duo will charge your device still depends on the charging brick into which the Duo is plugged. We highly recommend the Apple twenty-watt charging brick (on Amazon), particularly if you intend to charge your iPhone simultaneously.
Which Apple Watch Models Support Fast Charging?
Currently, only the newer Apple Watch models support fast charging. These include:
- The Series 7
- The Series 8
- The Apple Watch Ultra
- The anticipated Series 9
- The upcoming SE 3 might also get the feature
Are Old Apple Watch Chargers Compatible with New Apple Watches?
Yes, however, there is a catch. Older Apple Watch chargers charge the newer Series 7 and Series 8 at approximately 33% slower.
In a pinch, that’s not a huge problem. But it is a waste of the potential charging speed of which these devices are capable.
Note:
There is reason to believe that fast charging decreases the battery life of any mobile device. The idea is backed up by rigorous public testing, the science behind charging these batteries, and the admission of some of the world’s largest mobile battery manufacturers.
So, it is up to each user to decide whether battery life or the speed and convenience of fast charging take priority.