Two Watches Paired to One Phone; Inactive Watch Can't Be Charged??

[SarahTX]

I recently bought an Apple Watch 9 and decided to keep my 6 as a backup. They are both paired to my iPhone and work fine... except for one thing. I am unable to charge the inactive watch while I'm wearing the active one. Is there any way to charge the watch that is not in use? One reason I wanted 2 watches was to have one always fully charged.

 

[axantas]

It should charge anytime, even if you unpair it. I do have the same setup as you, but with four watches. I am wearing one and any other of my watches do charge.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I would suspect a defective Series 6 as two watches being paired to the same phone have nothing to do with the ability to charge.

 

[waw74]

as others have said, it should charge

are you relying on the battery widget on the phone to determine charging? That may show only the currently connected watch. If you go to your charging watch, and tap the screen what happens? It should show a large green clock, with a charge circle on the left. You can disable this feature (nightstand mode), so if that doesn't work, unlock the watch, and go to the control center, battery % should be green if charging.

Have you rebooted both watches and the phone?

you could try unpairing and re-pairing both watches. You should be able to restore from backup

 

[chrfr]

I recently bought an Apple Watch 9 and decided to keep my 6 as a backup. They are both paired to my iPhone and work fine... except for one thing. I am unable to charge the inactive watch while I'm wearing the active one. Is there any way to charge the watch that is not in use? One reason I wanted 2 watches was to have one always fully charged.

What do you mean by "unable to charge?" I go between an Ultra and a 6 and charging the other when wearing one is never a problem.

 

[SarahTX]

as others have said, it should charge

are you relying on the battery widget on the phone to determine charging? That may show only the currently connected watch. If you go to your charging watch, and tap the screen what happens? It should show a large green clock, with a charge circle on the left. You can disable this feature (nightstand mode), so if that doesn't work, unlock the watch, and go to the control center, battery % should be green if charging.

Have you rebooted both watches and the phone?

you could try unpairing and re-pairing both watches. You should be able to restore from backup

No, I'm not relying on the battery widget on my phone; it (naturally) only shows the status of the active watch battery. (Too bad it won't show all paired watches but whatever.) I just got the 9 yesterday and this is my first attempt at having multiples paired to my phone. My 6 was at 83% battery when I put it on the charger to "top it off." I checked it about 30 minutes later and it was still at 83%. I tried this a few times and on different chargers.

I have tried pairing/unpairing, restarting all (phone, both watches), etc. @Jackbequickly -- My 6 has not had any issues prior to this so I don't believe it is the problem. I'm sure it's something I'm missing somehow.

I'll just keep working with it now that I know it should be working. I'm finding that several little "glitches" seem to be working themselves out after putzing with settings. Thanks to all of you for your responses; I'm happy to know that I should be able to wear one/charge one!

 

[jz0309]

No, I'm not relying on the battery widget on my phone; it (naturally) only shows the status of the active watch battery. (Too bad it won't show all paired watches but whatever.) I just got the 9 yesterday and this is my first attempt at having multiples paired to my phone. My 6 was at 83% battery when I put it on the charger to "top it off." I checked it about 30 minutes later and it was still at 83%. I tried this a few times and on different chargers.

I have tried pairing/unpairing, restarting all (phone, both watches), etc. @Jackbequickly -- My 6 has not had any issues prior to this so I don't believe it is the problem. I'm sure it's something I'm missing somehow.

I'll just keep working with it now that I know it should be working. I'm finding that several little "glitches" seem to be working themselves out after putzing with settings. Thanks to all of you for your responses; I'm happy to know that I should be able to wear one/charge one!

do you have "optimized" charging enabled on your 6? that could be the reason ... let it drop further down.
I also switch between watches and charging is not a problem

 

[SarahTX]

do you have "optimized" charging enabled on your 6? that could be the reason ... let it drop further down.
I also switch between watches and charging is not a problem

I'll have to check that setting, thank you!

 

[SarahTX]

@jz0309 -- thank you again; I did have optimized charging enabled. I appreciate your help very much.