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Ultra Fast Charging

newellj said:
This is super-odd. Is it possible that WatchOS is "outsourcing" management of rapid charging to the iPhone? That doesn't seem like it would make sense, but it would fit the facts that people are reporting.
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It's always possible but then Apple need to have made it clear in the marketing guff;)
 
Yeah it’s almost like the iPhone is telling the watch to fast charge which seems strange. I’ve never had two watches so not sure if this is new behavior
 
bthompson said:
Yeah it’s almost like the iPhone is telling the watch to fast charge which seems strange. I’ve never had two watches so not sure if this is new behavior
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I couldn't see this as being really necessary unless the iPhone is in some way connected to checking the location of the AWU as some fast charging doesn't work in some countries. Perhaps it needs a connection to cellular to check and it's an over zealous check that needs refining to only kick in when it can't check GPS or cellular network with a built in cellular connection.

Hopefully there will be an update on Mondat with the iPad OS releases which will solve it.
 
bthompson said:
This continues to be an issue for me. I have two watches, both on 9.1 betas. The Ultra will not fast charge UNLESS it is connected to the iPhone. If I put on my other watch, connect it to the phone, the Ultra takes 3 hours to charge. If I connect it to my phone, it does charger much faster.
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A1000 said:
i think you may be onto something with this. When I’m charging my Ultra I usually put on my AW6 which then of course connects to my phone instead of the Ultra. I’ve just tried to charge my Ultra with it still connected to the phone and it went from 37% to 60% in 15 mins Which is in line with the fast charging claims. And that’s using the same power brick and fast charge puck as before that wasn’t working.

I‘m on watchOS 9.0.2.

I’m guessing this isn’t noticed much as most people don’t have more than one Apple Watch connected to their phone so their Ultra stays connected.
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Imnotsamiam said:
Have found the same - when second Watch is connected the Ultra does not fast charge. Manually selecting Ultra to remain connected (in iPhone app), while wearing the second Apple watch, allows for fast charging of the Ultra. Am also on watchOS 9.0.2.
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I am going to have to try this (not wearing another watch while charging the Ultra).

On 9.0.1, my Ultra would not fast charge on any of the charging adapters listed below. On 9.0.2, it would only fast charge on the last one, as indicated. I think in all cases, I put a second watch on while the Ultra was charging (not totally certain in the one case where it did seem to fast charge, but probably).

Anker 15 watt -- no
Anker 20 watt -- no
Belkin 25 watt -- no
Apple 20 watt #1 -- no
Apple 20 watt #2 -- no
Apple 35 watt compact -- 9.0.1 no, 9.0.2 yes

The Belkin is still plugged in behind my nightstand, so I'll give it a go with no other watch on my wrist when it's time to charge tomorrow.
 
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My clean charging is off. I’ve tried to turn off optimized charging on the watch and no luck.
 
Sorry if I missed it, but is there some indication that shows the watch is fast charging vs regular charging?
 
blulegend said:
Sorry if I missed it, but is there some indication that shows the watch is fast charging vs regular charging?
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No -- we're all making supposition based on Apple's statement of fast charging from 0 to 80% in about an hour.

In my case, apparent failed attempts at fast charging: 10% to 50% in about eighty minutes.

Apparent successful attempt at fast charging: 10% to 80% in about an hour.
 
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I remember there is some kind of battery optimization setting. Perhaps it thinks you don’t need the watch charged very soon so it slow charges. But you guys are probably right the feature is broken…
 
The difference is very noticeable between standard and fast charging. With fast charging it was roughly in line with the Apple published performance. With the larger battery it makes quite a difference.
 
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I am pretty sure this is fixed on 9.2 beta 1. My ultra is charging much faster while I have my s7 in my wrist.
 
bthompson said:
I am pretty sure this is fixed on 9.2 beta 1. My ultra is charging much faster while I have my s7 in my wrist.
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I'm pretty sure it's not fixed in 9.1 based on my test just now, so here's hoping it is fixed in 9.2
 
Well maybe not fixed. I put my ultra on the charger this morning and put on my s7, it charged from 88-92 in twenty minutes. Hmmm
 
I've got 3 AW chargers in my house. One connected to an old 12w 2.4a old school USB charger (3rd party), one connected to a 30w Anker charger, and one connected to an Anker 65W battery.

It charges really slowly on the old USB charger (USB A) - really really slowly.

The other two chargers (USB C) - it charges significantly faster than my S7 charged.
 
So after a quick test sadly this still doesn't appear fixed with watchOS 9. Anyone tested it? Maybe it's some weird design feature:rolleyes:
 
Is there a chance you folks are using a stand/docking station similar to this one?

Because I have had a similar issue, but ONLY when using the stand/docking station. When I use the same puck and cord, but no stand, I charge much faster... Wonder if even though the Ultra says is it charging the connection is not strong enough for the fastest charging?

Just a thought, but it did work for me...basically I just use the usb-c puck and charger from apple...and I have no issue, use the stand....sloooooowwww charging.
 

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JSENNY25 said:
Is there a chance you folks are using a stand/docking station similar to this one?

Because I have had a similar issue, but ONLY when using the stand/docking station. When I use the same puck and cord, but no stand, I charge much faster... Wonder if even though the Ultra says is it charging the connection is not strong enough for the fastest charging?

Just a thought, but it did work for me...basically I just use the usb-c puck and charger from apple...and I have no issue, use the stand....sloooooowwww charging.
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I'm using the fast charging puck on it's own and the issue is repeatable with different chargers
 
On the iPhone those of us who are testing 16.3 can’t believe how much better it is over the previous 16.x versions. Hopefully this will be true for 9.3 as well. My watch is broken or I would be able to say if it is like it is on the phone.
 
bthompson said:
Hi there. Got my ultra on launch day and love it. I have only charged it about three times, however it will not fast charge. I am using the braided cable, 20w apple brick and no joy. Easily taking 3.5 hours to charge it. Apple support says it’s functioning normally. I have a week to return it, I would but can’t find any in stock.

Anyone else seeing this issue?
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Plugged into the back of my iMac it charges to 100% in less than 90 min.
 
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