Why Does My Apple Watch Battery Drain So Fast? Here’s The Real Fix!

Learn why your Apple Watch battery drains so quickly and how to fix it.

By Tom Griffin - Executive Editor
6 Min Read

I’m going to tell you exactly why your Apple Watch battery drains so quickly and exactly how to fix it. I’ll explain how you can get longer battery lifeout of your Apple Watch without sacrificing functionality. Take my word for it:

The vast majority of Apple Watch battery issues are software related.

We’ll cover a number of proven Apple Watch battery fixes that I’ve learned from first-hand experience since I got my first Apple Watch in 2015.

If your Apple Watch battery is draining after watchOS 11 update, we got you covered too. This article will improve watchOS 11 battery life, and if you take these suggestions, I promise your battery life will improve, whether you are using Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Series 7, or Apple Watch Series 6.

Having said that, please note that Everyone’s situation is unique, so some of the tips below may not apply to you, while others might be helpful.

Three Apple Watch Ultra 2 devices are shown — two from the side, and one facing forward — against a white background

Like the iPhone, the Apple Watch also features a Low Power Mode that you can activate when needed. Low Power Mode turns off certain features, such as Always On Display, background heart rate and blood oxygen measurements, and heart rate notifications. Other notifications may be delayed, emergency alerts may not arrive, and certain cellular and Wi-Fi connections are limited. Cellular is turned off until you require it—when you stream music or send a message, for example.

When the battery level drops to 10 percent or lower, your Apple Watch alerts you and asks if you want to turn on Low Power Mode. To turn it on manually, do the following:

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Tap the battery percentage, then turn on Low Power Mode.
  3. To confirm your choice, scroll down, then tap Turn On.
  4. You can tap Turn On For, then choose On for 1 Day, On for 2 Days, or On for 3 Days.

1. Check Battery Health

Start by checking the battery health of your Apple Watch:

  1. Go to the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap Battery, then tap Battery Health.
  3. Ensure the Maximum Capacity is at least 80%. If it’s below 80%, the battery may need replacement. Apple may replace your battery for free if you have AppleCare. However, the standard warranty does not cover battery replacement for normal wear and tear unless there is a manufacturing defect. You can check your AppleCare warranty status.
  4. While you’re there, consider turning off Optimized Charging, which might prevent the Watch from starting the day at 100% charge.

2. Consider Software Factors

The iPhone paired with your Watch plays a significant role in its battery performance. Issues with iPhone software or apps can cause the Watch to use more battery. Always ensure your iPhone and Watch are running the latest software updates.

Update your watch:

  1. Make sure that your watch is connected to Wi-Fi.
  2. On your watch, open the Settings app.
  3. Tap General > Software Update.
  4. Tap Install if a software update is available, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Update your iPhone:

  1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
  2. Tap General > Software Update.
  3. Tap Update Now if a software update is available, then follow the onscreen instructions.

3. Inspect for Physical or Environmental Issues

  • Post-Swimming Check: If the Watch gets unusually warm or drains battery quickly after swimming, it could indicate water damage. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for inspection.
  • External Conditions: Extreme temperatures can impact battery life. Avoid exposing the Watch to excessive heat or cold. Apple Watch is designed to work best in ambient temperatures between 32° to 95° F (0° and 35° C).

TIP: To store your Apple Watch for an extended period, keep it partially charged, around 50%. Avoid charging or leaving it in hot environments, such as direct sunlight, for prolonged periods. You can store your Apple Watch in ambient temperatures between -4° and 113° F (-20° and 45° C).

4. Optimize Settings

Several settings can impact battery performance. Adjust the following:

  • Turn Off Background App Refresh: Go to the Settings app on your Apple Watch. Tap General > Background App Refresh and turn off Background App Refresh to prevent all apps from refreshing. Or scroll down, then turn off refresh for individual apps. Please note that apps with complications on the current watch face continue to refresh, even when their background app refresh setting is off.
  • Check Walkie-Talkie: Ensure the Walkie-Talkie feature is off unless actively in use.
  • Disable Always-On Display: Press the Digital Crown until the Home Screen appears, then go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On. Tap Always On to turn off the feature to extend battery life.
  • Stop Background Workouts: Check for any active workouts and end them if they’re running unintentionally. This happens to me often. I often forget to end my workouts and the workout app keeps running without my knowledge.
  • Bluetooth: Turning off Bluetooth on your iPhone can cause your Apple Watch to use more battery. To maintain efficient communication and conserve power, it’s best to keep Bluetooth enabled on your iPhone.
  • Turn off Siri’s Listen For:if you’re like me (and likely many others), you probably never use Siri on your Apple Watch. Yet, it’s still constantly listening for the "Hey Siri" command, silently draining your battery in the background. To turn off “Ask Siri,” go to the Settings app on your Apple Watch, tap Siri, tap Listen for “Siri” or “Hey Siri,” then choose Off. This will disable Siri’s always-listening feature while still allowing you to activate it manually by pressing and holding the Digital Crown.
  • Turn off Raise to Speak: To turn off the Raise To Speak feature, go to the Settings app on your Apple Watch, tap Siri, then turn off Raise to Speak.

5. Manage Cellular Usage

Apple Watch with an activated cellular plan uses the best network connection available to it—your iPhone when itʼs nearby, a Wi-Fi network that you’ve connected to previously on your iPhone, or a cellular connection. Turn cellular off to save battery power. Just follow these steps:

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Tap the Cellular button to turn cellular off.

6. Evaluate VPNs and Security Apps on iPhone

  • Uninstall any VPN apps, VPN-based ad blockers, or similar security apps from your iPhone.
  • Remove any associated profiles on your iPhone by going to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
  • Ensure all iPhone apps are updated via the App Store.

7. Force Restart Both Devices

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches:

  1. Force Restart Apple Watch:
    • Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown until the screen turns black and the Apple logo reappears, then release both buttons. Your watch may take a few moments to restart.
  2. Force Restart Paired iPhone:
    • Force restart your iPhone while the Watch is restarting:
    • iPhone 8 and later: Press and release the Volume Up button. Press and release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button. Keep holding the Side button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
    • iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Volume Down button and the Sleep/Wake button. Keep holding the Volume Down button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
    • iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button. Keep holding the Home button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.

Monitor performance for a couple of days after these steps.

8. Unpair and Re-pair the Watch

If the Apple Watch battery drain issue persists after you’ve force-restarted your watch and iPhone, try unpairing your devices and pairing them again. Keep your Apple Watch and iPhone close together as you complete the steps.

  1. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to the My Watch tab and tap All Watches at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap the info button next to the watch you want to unpair.
  4. Tap Unpair Apple Watch, then tap Unpair [your Apple Watch name].
  5. For GPS Cellular models, choose to keep your plan.
  6. Enter your Apple Account password.
  7. Tap Unpair. When you unpair, your iPhone will create a backup of your Apple Watch.
  8. If you had one watch paired with your iPhone, tap Start Pairing. If you had more than one watch paired with your iPhone, tap Add Watch.
  9. Follow the instructions on your iPhone to finish the setup process. To restore your watch from a backup, tap Restore from Backup.

Apple Watch setup prompt appearing on a nearby iPhone  

If the issue persists, try setting up the Watch as new (without restoring from a backup). Note that this will remove custom watch faces and some settings.

9. Test for Hardware Issues

If none of the above resolves the issue, the problem may lie with the hardware. Here’s how to test for a self-discharging battery:

  1. Charge the Watch to 100%, then leave it on the charger for a little longer, like a 20 min more.
  2. Power off the Watch completely:
    • Hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider. Use the slider to turn off the Watch.
    • Briefly press the Digital Crown to confirm the Watch is fully off.
  3. Leave the Watch off for 8 hours or overnight.
  4. After this period, power the Watch back on and check the battery percentage in Settings > Battery. A healthy battery should only drop by about 2% (98% remaining).

If the Apple Watch battery drains significantly while powered off, it’s likely experiencing internal self-discharge and needs to be serviced.

10. Seek Professional Help

If the Apple Watch continues to have battery drain issues:

Conclusion

If your Apple Watch battery is draining faster than usual, it can be frustrating. Diagnosing and addressing the issue involves a series of checks and steps. By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of your Apple Watch’s battery drain.

Please note that battery wear from regular use is not covered under Apple’s standard warranty. However, if you have AppleCare and your device’s battery capacity has dropped below 80% of its original level, you’re eligible for a complimentary battery service.

TAGGED:
Executive Editor
Follow:
Tom Griffin is the editor-in-chief at GeeksChalk where he oversees all of site’s evergreen content to ensure it’s up to date with the latest information. Hailing from London in the UK, he has over seven years of experience in the tech journalism space and holds a degree in English Literature. In his spare time, Tom can found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, and petting every dog he comes across in the outside world.
Leave a Comment