Looking for Compatible Charger for Apple Watch SE

[Newbert]

I just bought an Apple Watch SE, and it came only with a magnetic cord for charging - no charger included. (Thanks, Apple....) I believe the cord requires USB-C, correct? If so, although I searched for a 5w USB-C plug-into-the-wall charger, I can only find a 20w USB-C charger online. Would 20w be too powerful for the watch? Would it damage the watch? If so, where could I find a compatible charger that would be safe to use?

If someone could provide a link to one, that would be great!

Thanks!

 

[Phil77354]

A new Apple Watch SE includes the a 1m Magnetic Charger to USB-C Cable.

All of Apple's USB-C chargers are compatible, for example:

20W USB C Power Adapter - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

You can also use higher watt USB-C adaptors depending on what other devices you have that may also use USB-C.

 

[Howard2k]

A 20W won’t charge the watch faster (and won’t damage it) but when you want to charge other devices in a hurry (tablet/phone) the 20W will help.

 

[Newbert]

Thanks, Guys!

 

[Phil77354]

A 20W won’t charge the watch faster (and won’t damage it) but when you want to charge other devices in a hurry (tablet/phone) the 20W will help.

I think that 20W is the lowest power USB-C charger that Apple sells. The others (5W, 12W) are the older style USB-A connection and would require an adaptor to use the magnetic charger that is now shipping with the new products.

And for someone that does not have a USB-C charger already, then the 20W (or larger) is a good purchase and will be more useful for other devices you might have or obtain in the future.

 

[Saturn007]

Very helpful information. I share Newbert's dismay — what is needed to charge the Watch SE isn't spelled out in Apple's instruction book, online product pages, or when ordering! How is a novice Watch buyer to know!

I'd like to piggyback two questions onto this.

1. Can the Apple Watch SE be charged by plugging it into a USB-C port on a MacBook Air?

I imagine that would be a S-L-O-W charging process!​

2. Alternatively, is there any way of charging the Watch SE with an iPhone SE USB-A charger?

Conclusion:

I think buying that USB-C wall charger from Apple for $19 is probably the best solution.​

 

[haruhiko]

Time to upgrade all chargers to USB-C… I did it a few years ago.

 

[Phil77354]

Very helpful information. I share Newbert's dismay — what is needed to charge the Watch SE isn't spelled out in Apple's instruction book, online product pages, or when ordering! How is a novice Watch buyer to know!

I'd like to piggyback two questions onto this.

1. Can the Apple Watch SE be charged by plugging it into a USB-C port on a MacBook Air?

I imagine that would be a S-L-O-W charging process!​

2. Alternatively, is there any way of charging the Watch SE with an iPhone SE USB-A charger?

Conclusion:

I think buying that USB-C wall charger from Apple for $19 is probably the best solution.​

1. yes
2. yes. You need an adaptor to go from USB-C to USB-A.

Re your point that it isn't spelled out on the product pages, you simply need to go to the accessories section for power and cables, and then filter for the SE. I'll put a link below, don't know if it will take you right to that specific page but if it does then you'll see the USB-power adaptor front and center.

Charging Essentials - All Accessories

Find cables, charging docks and battery cases for Apple devices. Charge and sync up Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watch. Buy online and get free shipping.

www.apple.com

Also, when you have the watch in your bag for purchase and are going through the checkout process, you'll see something like the screenshot below. Note that it clearly states that the cable is compatible with USB-C power adaptors and computer ports.

 

[Saturn007]

Thanks for the follow-ups! Much appreciated.

Going all USB-C chargers won’t work for us as all our Apple devices but one use USB-A and associated chargers!

A USB-C to USB-A converter (dongle) could be the ticket. That way, we could charge the Watch with any of our old chargers. For example, our iPad Air 2 12-watt chargers or our 5-watt iPhone chargers.

Appreciate the accessory page link, which is where I had found the USB-C wall charger I earlier concluded was what we needed (see previous comment).

But Apple doesn't directly inform the buyer about what's needed. They should state something on the product page such as:

”To charge your new Watch, you will need own or buy a USB-C charger (link) or buy a USB-C to USB-A adapter (link) to work with a USB-A charger you already own.“​

For those of us clueless or buying our first Watch, that would be helpful.

In fact, I still don't know what that fine print means — “included in the box is a USB-C to Lightning cable”! Is that a 4th item in the box that's not shown? If it's the same as the magnetic charger, how does the Lightning cable come into it?

Our iPad Air 2s and iPhone came with Lightning to USB-A cables to plug into their included USB-A wall charger. So, how would the USB-C Lightning cable fit in?

Adding to the confusion, they neglect to show the end of the magnetic “charging” cable! Also, strangely, it's a “charging” cable, but it doesn't charge — without a power adapter!

I get the idea of omitting chargers, with the idea of trying to reduce excess chargers but, unless you are already in the know, Apple really doesn't clear things up.

I appreciate your efforts, though — you've done better than Apple!

——————-

Completely unrelated, but in iOS 15.1, I can no longer select more than one line of text at a time in text boxes here on MR…

 

[Phil77354]

Thanks for the follow-ups! Much appreciated. . .

In fact, I still don't know what that fine print means — “included in the box is a USB-C to Lightning cable”! Is that a 4th item in the box that's not shown? If it's the same as the magnetic charger, how does the Lightning cable come into it? There are three items included, as illustrated.

That is a good question. My Apple Watch 6 came with a magnetic charger that had a USB-A plug at the end. The newer watches seem to have magnetic chargers that have a USB-C plug at the end, which means you need a charger with USB-C plug as we've already established. If you only have USB-A chargers (power adaptors), then you need an adaptor/dongle, but I don't see one on the Apple website and now I'm confused myself as to what they expect you to do, short of buying a new USB-C power adaptor.

The USB-C to lightning cable does seem to be an additional item and will simply have a USB connector at one end, and lightning connector at the other end. I don't understand the usefulness of this cable for a watch that doesn't have a lightning connector and also doesn't include a USB-C power adaptor.

I have a couple of these cables myself that have been provided with my own recent purchases, and they are useful in charging something with a lightning port (i.e. iPhone or most iPads) and using a newer USB-C power adaptor.

Adding to the confusion, they neglect to show the end of the magnetic “charging” cable! Also, strangely, it's a “charging” cable, but it doesn't charge — without a power adapter!

Correct. It delivers the charge but requires the power adaptor to provide the charging current.

Short of going to an Apple Store or contacting Apple Support, I'm at a loss to be able to fully decipher all of this for you. If you haven't purchased a new watch yourself yet, then you can contact Apple Support on their website using the chat feature, and they can probably tell you what we are missing here.

If you do that, please come back and let us know, because I'm curious myself.

Back to the original question posed by the OP, simple solution is to just get the USB-C power adaptor (if you don't have one already) and you're all set.

 

[Saturn007]

Phil, thanks for your gracious, thoughtful reply. And, understanding my confusion.

I think the adapter that would be needed — in place of the charger — would be the one Apple list as

USB-C to USB Adapter​

$19.00

It's on this web page

Charging Essentials - All Accessories

Find cables, charging docks and battery cases for Apple devices. Charge and sync up Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watch. Buy online and get free shipping.

www.apple.com

Five rows down, first item.

I like your idea of engaging with Apple chat services. I'll put an Apple Watch 7 in my cart and then hit them up with my dongle-charger question and my prepaid cellular service, emergency calling question (see other threads).

 

[Night Spring]

I think the adapter that would be needed — in place of the charger — would be the one Apple list as

USB-C to USB Adapter​

No, I believe you need something like this.

BENFEI 10 Gbps USB C Female to USB Male Adapter, Support 12V/3A Fast Charging, USB Gen 2 10 Gbps Data Sync

BENFEI 10 Gbps USB C Female to USB Male Adapter, Support 12V/3A Fast Charging, USB Gen 2 10 Gbps Data Sync

www.amazon.com

 

[Saturn007]

Night Spring, thanks for the link -- and the correction. You're absolutely right! That's the type of adapter needed.

Apple doesn't seem to sell such an adapter on its website. Which is weird! I mean, they made such a big to-do out of NOT including chargers any more BECAUSE everyone already had chargers -- but, then, they don't offer an adapter to connect the Watch's charging cable to the ubiquitous USB-A iPhone, iPad chargers people have.

[Insert head shake!]

I did, though, just find this...

Apple Accessories for Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro

Shop Apple accessories for Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro. Search by product lines or browse by categories. Buy now with fast, free shipping.

www.apple.com

Which would replace the Watch's magnetic charging cable with one that ends in USB-A and could be plugged into the old USB-A iPhone, iPad chargers. But how does that help ecologically? It would make the included USB-C magnetic charger superfluous.

I think Apple is relying on people buying the USB-C wall charger, but that, too, means buying yet another charger. They should have included an adapter with the watch. It's too soon to declare USB-A chargers abandoned! That would be a literal waste and would "obsolete" those chargers.

 

[Phil77354]

Night Spring, thanks for the link -- and the correction. You're absolutely right! That's the type of adapter needed.

Apple doesn't seem to sell such an adapter on its website. Which is weird! I mean, they made such a big to-do out of NOT including chargers any more BECAUSE everyone already had chargers -- but, then, they don't offer an adapter to connect the Watch's charging cable to the ubiquitous USB-A iPhone, iPad chargers people have.

[Insert head shake!]

I did, though, just find this...

Apple Accessories for Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro

Shop Apple accessories for Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Vision Pro. Search by product lines or browse by categories. Buy now with fast, free shipping.

www.apple.com

Which would replace the Watch's magnetic charging cable with one that ends in USB-A and could be plugged into the old USB-A iPhone, iPad chargers. But how does that help ecologically? It would make the included USB-C magnetic charger superfluous.

I think Apple is relying on people buying the USB-C wall charger, but that, too, means buying yet another charger. They should have included an adapter with the watch. It's too soon to declare USB-A chargers abandoned! That would be a literal waste and would "obsolete" those chargers.

@Night Spring is correct (as you also acknowledge), the USB-C to USB-A adaptor that you posted earlier won't do what you need. I hadn't realized Apple has that available, don't know why they don't also have the dongle that you can get on Amazon (they sell products on their website that are from others, not everything is Apple branded, but this particular dongle is not included).

Anyway, with respect to your comment regarding USB-A not yet abandoned, we are well down the road of changing from lightning to USB-C for Apple products. The MacBook that I purchased in 2015 (!) uses USB-C (as have all laptops since that time) and it is now present in the Apple Watch and AirPods product lines. The 'intro model' iPad still has a lightning port but includes a USB-C to lightning cable and USB-C power adaptor, and the other iPad models - Air and Pro - are now completely USB-C. The main omission is the iPhone and lots of people wonder each year why Apple is not incorporating USB-C into their phones. It will happen (my new iPhone 13 Pro Max has lightning connector on the phone but comes with a lightning to USB-C cable, same for iPhone 11, 12, SE). So this is something to keep in mind if you find yourself needing to purchase a new power adaptor at some point, whether for your Watch or something else. As a final point, notice that Apple's USB-A power adaptors are all very low wattage, whereas the USB-C adaptors are all 20W or greater and new products also offer fast charging in many cases which requires more power from the power adaptor.

 

[Night Spring]

It's too soon to declare USB-A chargers abandoned! That would be a literal waste and would "obsolete" those chargers.

I totally agree! I'm still charging all my devices with USB-A chargers, even though come to think of it, my Apple Watch S6 probably had a USB-C charging pad in its box. I've just been using the same charging pad I had from the original S0 Watch.

On the one hand, I do find it wasteful to have chargers and charging cables included with every product. Most of the time, I never take them out, because I already have the cables and chargers from previous products. On the other hand, it's a problem for new customers who are buying that type of product for the first time. It would be nice if Apple would prominently post information about what type of cables/adapters you need for each product.

I do suppose at some point, I'd need to switch to usb-c, but it's going to be a hassle! I'm hoping to put it off as long as possible. ;p

 

[carmanje]

I just bought an Apple Watch SE, and it came only with a magnetic cord for charging - no charger included. (Thanks, Apple....) I believe the cord requires USB-C, correct? If so, although I searched for a 5w USB-C plug-into-the-wall charger, I can only find a 20w USB-C charger online. Would 20w be too powerful for the watch? Would it damage the watch? If so, where could I find a compatible charger that would be safe to use?

If someone could provide a link to one, that would be great!

Thanks!