Apple Watch 10 charging issue

[usmaak]

I've had an Apple Watch 10 since January. I also have an Ultra 2 from 2023.

I never have any issues with the Ultra 2. When I put it on the charger, it charges up to 100 percent and when I take it off the charger, it is always at 100 percent.

The Apple Watch 10 charges to 100 percent only when it feels like it. Yesterday I took it off the charger at 10:00am and it was 100 percent. I wore it all day and put it on the charger last night. I took it off the charger this morning and it was at 75%. This happens frequently with this watch. I am almost always guaranteed that it will not be at 100 percent when I take it off the charger.

The only thing that I can think of that can affect this is the optimized charging. I have verified many times that it is turned off. The batter health on the watch is 100%. I have tried turning the watch off and back on many times, as well as restarting my phone. I have also tried it on three different Apple branded watch chargers. It has been doing this since getting it back in January.

I've run out of ideas o how to fix this. Is there anything else I should do before contacting Apple support?

 

[goldmac2006]

I've had an Apple Watch 10 since January. I also have an Ultra 2 from 2023.

I never have any issues with the Ultra 2. When I put it on the charger, it charges up to 100 percent and when I take it off the charger, it is always at 100 percent.

The Apple Watch 10 charges to 100 percent only when it feels like it. Yesterday I took it off the charger at 10:00am and it was 100 percent. I wore it all day and put it on the charger last night. I took it off the charger this morning and it was at 75%. This happens frequently with this watch. I am almost always guaranteed that it will not be at 100 percent when I take it off the charger.

The only thing that I can think of that can affect this is the optimized charging. I have verified many times that it is turned off. The batter health on the watch is 100%. I have tried turning the watch off and back on many times, as well as restarting my phone. I have also tried it on three different Apple branded watch chargers. It has been doing this since getting it back in January.

I've run out of ideas o how to fix this. Is there anything else I should do before contacting Apple support?

In certain situations especially the ultra the Apple Watch’s optimised charge limit may still kick in to restrict charging to 75-80% depending on your charging habits to safeguard your battery health.

Only earlier series’s prior to the 9 the charge limit can be disabled entirely by the optimised battery charging. Info found below 👇

About Optimized Battery Charging on Apple Watch - Apple Support

With Optimized Battery Charging, your Apple Watch learns from your daily charging habits to improve the lifespan of your battery. And supported Apple Watch models offer additional battery charge optimizations with Optimized Charge Limit.

support.apple.com

The charge limit is denoted by a weird looking charge circle that is a semicircle.

 

[usmaak]

In certain situations especially the ultra the Apple Watch’s optimised charge limit may still kick in to restrict charging to 75-80% depending on your charging habits to safeguard your battery health.

Only earlier series’s prior to the 9 the charge limit can be disabled entirely by the optimised battery charging. Info found below 👇

About Optimized Battery Charging on Apple Watch - Apple Support

With Optimized Battery Charging, your Apple Watch learns from your daily charging habits to improve the lifespan of your battery. And supported Apple Watch models offer additional battery charge optimizations with Optimized Charge Limit.

support.apple.com

The charge limit is denoted by a weird looking charge circle that is a semicircle.

I never see that when I have optimized charging turned off. Apple should continue to give us the option instead of implementing it regardless of settings.

 

[goldmac2006]

I never see that when I have optimized charging turned off. Apple should continue to give us the option instead of implementing it regardless of settings.

Sounds good! Also, I know you use OEM cables, but I’m curious if you use any of these power sources:

- MagSafe power banks or any power bank that uses a USB port
- A power strip with USB C, USB A, or regular outlets, or a combination of all of these
- 20W/5W Apple adapters
- Third-party USB adapters
- From computer USB ports or USB ports on furniture
- Charging docks, built-in or those that use USB ports. Ones that only use your own cables you supply don’t count.

Please let me know which one applies to your Apple Watch charging situation.

 

[NoBoMac]

Might try unpairing and setting up as new to see if fixes the issue. Could be a setting, configuration file on the phone that is "stuck"/corrupt.

 

[curdy]

I was constantly having this charging issue as well. For me, I was able to fix it by tapping the circle icon with the battery percentage when the watch is charging in Night Stand Mode and hitting "Charge to Full Now". After a few times of doing this, my Ultra 2 now charges to 100% every time.

 

[goldmac2006]

I was constantly having this charging issue as well. For me, I was able to fix it by tapping the circle icon with the battery percentage when the watch is charging in Night Stand Mode and hitting "Charge to Full Now". After a few times of doing this, my Ultra 2 now charges to 100% every time.

That’s the trick. My Apple Watch Series 6 used to do that at the start but not anymore once I forced it to charge all the way

 

[usmaak]

I was constantly having this charging issue as well. For me, I was able to fix it by tapping the circle icon with the battery percentage when the watch is charging in Night Stand Mode and hitting "Charge to Full Now". After a few times of doing this, my Ultra 2 now charges to 100% every time.

I don't use nightstand mode but I will enable it and give this a try.

Sounds good! Also, I know you use OEM cables, but I’m curious if you use any of these power sources:

- MagSafe power banks or any power bank that uses a USB port
- A power strip with USB C, USB A, or regular outlets, or a combination of all of these
- 20W/5W Apple adapters
- Third-party USB adapters
- From computer USB ports or USB ports on furniture
- Charging docks, built-in or those that use USB ports. Ones that only use your own cables you supply don’t count.

Please let me know which one applies to your Apple Watch charging situation.

I am using Apple adapters. I don't usually use 3rd party stuff.

 

[goldmac2006]

I am using Apple adapters. I don't usually use 3rd party stuff.

Good I only use my cable that came with it when I am at home.

I do use a portable keychain one that’s third party but only while on the go or traveling.

Do you plug your series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to your Mac at all?

 

[usmaak]

Good I only use my cable that came with it when I am at home.

I do use a portable keychain one that’s third party but only while on the go or traveling.

Do you plug your series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to your Mac at all?

I didn't even know you could do that, so no.

 

[goldmac2006]

I didn't even know you could do that, so no.

Looks like it’s a 50/50 a software or hardware issue.

did you try restarting your watch, and do you run ANY beta of watchOS on your watches?

 

[usmaak]

Looks like it’s a 50/50 a software or hardware issue.

did you try restarting your watch, and do you run ANY beta of watchOS on your watches?

I have restarted it numerous times and I have never run any WatchOS betas.

 

[goldmac2006]

I have restarted it numerous times and I have never run any WatchOS betas.

Alrighty, so before I finalise the results and the root cause of your problem how long did you own the Apple Watches (S10 and ultra), and do you feel any heat from it during charging?

Heat is a common problem when you use the genuine chargers for charging, not updating which that part is normal.

3rd party ones are known to heat up if you charge for a long period of time.

 

[usmaak]

No heat at all that I’ve been able to feel. I bought the Ultra 2 the first month the original Ultra 2 was out, so like 1.5 years ago and I’ve had the 10 since January. The Ultra is pretty well behaved and always charges to 100.

 

[goldmac2006]

No heat at all that I’ve been able to feel. I bought the Ultra 2 the first month the original Ultra 2 was out, so like 1.5 years ago and I’ve had the 10 since January. The Ultra is pretty well behaved and always charges to 100.

Good news: your charging habit is spot on! You’re using only OEM Apple chargers, which is the safest way to charge your Apple Watch, just like MFi certified chargers.

Now, here’s the not-so-great news: the weird charging circle that shows you the battery percentage when you tap it in nightstand mode (since battery complications on watch faces won’t show it, you need to turn on nightstand mode, which you might have turned off after it was on by default when you set it up) is the reason for this problem. The charge limit. If that weird charging symbol (the semicircle thing) is still on even when you’ve turned off all battery preservation measures and restarted or updated your software, I’d recommend calling or iMessage 💬 AppleCare. Only book a Genius Bar appointment and go to the Apple Store to get the watches checked out if the advisor asks you to do so, and bring your chargers if you head out.

They might also refer you to a senior AppleCare advisor who can do more advanced software troubleshooting, including remotely pushing diagnostics on your watches on your iPhone prior to recommending an Apple Store visit.

So, what do you think? Hope this helps! Have a great weekend! 👍

 

[NoBoMac]

Re 3rd party pucks: have not had any issues there. Maybe since I got a good brand, uGreen. Have used it pretty much exclusively since 2019. Apple pucks are in my various accessories go bags for travel.

Then again, I don’t stress not getting to 100% on my 10. Usual routine for me is to put it on the charger before my workout in the AM (wake up at ~45%), back on the charger post workout while in the shower. Repeat. Optimized is on.

 

[usmaak]

The weird semi circle thing is not there. It’s the normal circle

Thanks for taking the time to put all of that together. I will get in touch with Apple. I really appreciate it.

 

[goldmac2006]

The weird semi circle thing is not there. It’s the normal circle

Thanks for taking the time to put all of that together. I will get in touch with Apple. I really appreciate it.

Interesting 🧐 so that is optimised charging kicking in since there’s no slow charger used in any way.

No problem sir I hope you get it sorted ✔️ with AppleCare!