Apple Watch Gets Slow Charger Warnings in watchOS 26

[MacRumors]

watchOS 26 includes a feature that lets you know if you're using an Apple Watch charger that is not optimized for the fastest charging speeds.

According to a new Apple support document, if your Apple Watch detects a charging experience that could be improved, a Slow Charger message will be displayed in the Battery section of the Settings app. Instances of slow charging are shown in orange, while fast charging speeds are displayed in green.

Apple says that the Slow Charger warning simply means that you could get faster charging speeds with a higher-wattage charger, and it does not mean there is something wrong with a slower charger.

Apple recommends a USB-C Power Delivery charger and the USB-C Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable that came with the watch for the fastest charging.

Article Link: Apple Watch Gets Slow Charger Warnings in watchOS 26

 

[jz0309]

well, I charge my Ultra 2 overnight on the charging cable/puck that came with my S0, slow as can be, but yet way fast enough to charge the watch overnight. And sure enough, my entire charging session from last night - it's orange
I will continue charging that way other than travel

 

[mariusfanu]

That’s cool! I think we used to have this feature on iOS 18, but I’m not sure it’s still available in iOS 26. 🤷‍♂️

 

[mariusfanu]

well, I charge my Ultra 2 overnight on the charging cable/puck that came with my S0, slow as can be, but yet way fast enough to charge the watch overnight. And sure enough, my entire charging session from last night - it's orange

I like to charge my Ultra 2 on the fast charger,, usually while I shower or something for 30+ minutes. I prefer to keep it on during the night to get sleep data.

 

[jz0309]

I like to charge my Ultra 2 on the fast charger,, usually while I shower or something for 30+ minutes. I prefer to keep it on during the night to get sleep data.

View attachment 2550268

for me, the night that my U2 charges, I wear my S7 for sleep tracking

 

[vegetassj4]

Warning...you are not using an Apple Approved Charger™...we cannot guarantee that you have paid us money the safety of the charger, and have slowed the charging speed for your protection.

 

[dobratzp]

Guess Apple thinks they are not selling enough of their new charging bricks, which they have conveniently stopped including with the purchases of new iPhones and Apple Watches.

Meanwhile, if charging a device overnight, any charging brick including the 5W version that Apple included in the box for quite some time will work fine to charge the device (and the device will not get as hot).

 

[firstcitazen]

duo charge work?

 

[coolfactor]

Puzzling since Fast Charging is actually worse for the battery, isn't it? Is this a subtle planned obsolescence move?

 

[JosephAW]

Wow, Apple found another way to generate income by selling more chargers. Very clever 💰

 

[MrRom92]

at home I still use the regular “slow” charging puck that came with my launch series 0 even though I am now wearing a series 7 - it will charge from empty to full in about 2 hours, which is more than enough for me needing to charge it to 100% overnight


On the other hand, the fast charger that came with my series 7 goes in my travel bag where I may have longer days/nights out and need it to charge faster at odd times or in odd locations.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

And it has to be charged at least once a day, every day, like feeding a needy baby or something! These things need cold fusion to compete with the battery life of a Fitbit.

 

[Muceda]

at home I still use the regular “slow” charging puck that came with my launch series 0 even though I am now wearing a series 7 - it will charge from empty to full in about 2 hours, which is more than enough for me needing to charge it to 100% overnight


On the other hand, the fast charger that came with my series 7 goes in my travel bag where I may have longer days/nights out and need it to charge faster at odd times or in odd locations.

Exactly same situation here. And I thank to the EU for forcing Apple to change to USB C so I basically only need USB C and Apple Watch (which also charges the AirPods 4 case).

 

[Elohim369]

Time to buy stock in Anker ...

This feature is coming to the iPhone for sure.

And millions if not 100s of millions of people will suddenly realize their $3 chinese knock-off charger is no good...

I am an absolute fan of the best chargers, and I am always amazed what kind of super [bad] chargers people use for their $1500 devices... not all but a good 90% cheap out on chargers.

If we suddenly have this warning on a billion iPhones, charger sales will go through the roof.

 

[Lloigorr]

This feature is coming to the iPhone for sure.

It already is. We have it since iOS 18 or 17.

 

[bmark]

Can we get this iOS sucks warning as well?

 

[bigglow]

I appreciate the warning but I actively prefer slow chargers when I'm not in the car or in a rush. This helps extend battery health so I can use my Apple Watch until the last watchOS Security Update is released then I replace it then and there nearly a decade later.

 

[amartinez1660]

uh oh… sounds like the EU dogs are barking and wishing to be unleashed. Fines incoming.

 

[Daedalus65]

It doesn’t matter which charger I use - I get ‘taking the slow road to charge and optimize your battery - I’m sorry, were you expecting to come back and find a fully charged watch?’

 

[con2apple]

uh oh… sounds like the EU dogs are barking and wishing to be unleashed. Fines incoming.

You don't understand the EU.

Apple should stop favoring its own products and trying to convince customers that competitors are fundamentally bad or dangerous.

That doesn't happen here. So no problem.

And I still don't understand why consumer protection is hated when it comes to Apple. When the company proves every year that it exploits its market power.

 

[kempathonnodge]

I'm a slow charge fan, and I see this as reassuring! I can't see why the EU or anyone else would have an issue Apple letting people know their chargers are low wattage and will result in a slower charge. It has no relation to the brand, price or quality of the charger, simply the charging rate.

Good feature in my book!

 

[Muceda]

You don't understand the EU.

Apple should stop favoring its own products and trying to convince customers that competitors are fundamentally bad or dangerous.

That doesn't happen here. So no problem.

And I still don't understand why consumer protection is hated when it comes to Apple. When the company proves every year that it exploits its market power.

Thanks to the EU, iPhones in 2025 finally use the same connector Apple put on the iPad Pro back in 2018. About time. Sticking with Lightning for one single product line was easily one of Apple’s dumbest decisions in years.

And the best part? My cables just work now. No more flimsy Lightning connectors with exposed contacts that wear out and die after a year.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

at home I still use the regular “slow” charging puck that came with my launch series 0 even though I am now wearing a series 7 - it will charge from empty to full in about 2 hours, which is more than enough for me needing to charge it to 100% overnight


On the other hand, the fast charger that came with my series 7 goes in my travel bag where I may have longer days/nights out and need it to charge faster at odd times or in odd locations.

I basically only use the slow USB-A charger because I worry about battery degradation. However, after just 1 year, my battery health is at 93% already on my S10.😢

 

[Marx55]

Fast charging is NOT good for the battery health!

 

[East India Company]

A little bit of Apple induced FOMO is never a bad thing isn't it?