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The latest iteration in the Apple Watch series offers some astounding functionalities and is considered a must-have accessory for those who prefer camping or outdoor adventures. From the built-in heart rate monitor system to measuring the blood oxygen level, the latest generation of the Apple Watch series is equipped with the latest technology. However, when one is traveling and living off-grid, learning how to charge an Apple Watch can be essential for staying connected and tracking vital health metrics.
Next time you plan an outdoor adventure, you can carry a Jackery Portable Power Station to quickly charge your smartwatches. The portable power station comes with a built-in sine wave inverter that helps charge other outdoor gadgets and appliances, like an iPad, Apple Pencil, portable cooler, etc.
Understanding Apple Watch Charging Basics
Before exploring how to charge the Apple Watch, it’s recommended to understand its fundamental requirements. In order to ensure your Apple Watch remains powered up involves connecting it with a few charging basics, like:
Magnetic Charging Cable: All the Apple Watch series comes with a magnetic charging cable that attaches to the back of the smartwatch magnetically.
USB Power Adapter: You will also require a USB power adapter to connect the magnetic charging cable to the power source. Apple recommends having a minimum of 5 W of power adapter. However, you can use an Apple 18W, 20W, 29 W, 30W, 61W, 87W, or 96W USB-C Power Adapter for fast charging.
Wireless Charging: A few of the latest Apple Watch models also support wireless charging, allowing the user to charge their smartwatch by placing it on a compatible wireless charging pad.
How to Prepare For Charging An Apple Watch
Once you have understood the basic requirement, understand that there is a basic preparation that you need to do before actually charging the Apple Watch from any series. Remember that an Apple Watch with dust or debris will not only hamper the charging but might damage the smartwatch in the long run.
Here are a couple of things to consider as you prepare to charge your Apple Watch:
Clean Your Watch
Use a cotton cleaning fabric to gently clean the backside of your Apple Watch. You can even dampen the fabric a little in case you find extra dust on it. Additionally, use a mild soap or water solution if you find major debris on it.
Once cleaned, use another dry cloth to remove any water particles before you attempt to charge the smartwatch. Another important factor to consider is to avoid abrasive cleaners, as they may harm the sensors of your Apple Watch.
Remove the Watch Band or Cover
Most people use a plastic or rubber cover to protect their Apple Watch screen. At the same time, they also go ahead with third-party watch bands. If the protective cover is obstructing the charging, then it is highly recommended to remove it before placing your Apple Watch on the magnetic charging cable.
Adapter Access
There are several third-party adapters that let you connect the magnetic charging cable of your Apple Watch. However, Apple recommends using the original Apple power adapter to ensure a long life for your smartwatch.
Constant Power Supply
Additionally, you can check the power source and learn if there are no voltage fluctuations. Like most Apple devices, the Apple Watch is also a sensitive electronic that requires constant power. When traveling outdoors during the camping or picnic, you can use Jackery Portable Power Station to effectively connect the Apple power adapter to charge your Apple Watch.
How to Charge Apple Watch [5 Methods]
If this is your first time owning a smartwatch and you are wondering how to charge an Apple Watch, then remember that there are different ways that effectively charge your device. Depending on the resource availability, time, and location, you can choose the best method to charge your Apple Watch.
There are mainly five methods to quickly charge your Apple Watch, including:
Magnetic Charging
Magnetic charging is the most common and primary method that users use to charge their Apple Watch. This method requires the use of the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable or the Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable. You can charge the Apple Watch by following the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: Plug the USB end of the magnetic charging cable into a power adapter.
Step 2: Clean the backside of your Apple Watch with a clean, dry fabric.
Step 3: Connect the magnetic end of the cable (the concave part) to the back of your Apple Watch.
Step 4: You will feel a magnetic snap when the watch is correctly aligned with the charging cable.
Once the magnetic charging begins, the Apple Watch emits a chime sound, and a charging symbol appears on the watch face. If your Apple Watch was completely drained before charging, then instead of a chime sound, you will only get a red charging symbol, indicating that the smartwatch is getting charged in the power-saving mode. It will turn on once it has enough charge to sustain.
Wireless Charging
Wireless charging is efficient for those who use an Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock or a MagSafe Duo Charger to charge their Apple Watch. In order to charge your Apple Watch wirelessly, follow the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: Make sure that your Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock or a MagSafe Duo Charger are connected to the right power source.
Step 2: Lay your Apple Watch on the dock on the MagSafe to enable charging.
The entire process of wireless and magnetic charging is pretty similar, with the added convenience of having a wireless placement.
Portable Charger
Portable Chargers, most commonly known as power banks, provide a convenient charging solution when traveling and intending to charge an Apple Watch. These portable power stations can help you charge your Apple Watch anytime, anywhere, without having access to a power outlet.
Step 1: Connect the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable to the USB port of your portable charger.
Step 2: Attach the magnetic end of your watch to the magnetic charging cable, and it will start charging.
Charging Case
There are several third-party accessories that are specifically designed for the Apple Watches that feature a charging case. This is ideal for frequent travelers who do not wish to carry additional heavy power banks.
Step 1: Make sure that your third-party charging case is fully charged. If not:
Step 1a: Connect the third-party charging case with a Type-C connector (or the cable connector that comes in the box).
Step 1b: Connect the Type-C connector to a power adapter and plug it into a power supply to fully charge it.
Step 2: Once the third-party charging case is charged, simply place the watch inside the case, and it will charge automatically.
Sometimes, the third-party charging case will ask you to remove the band. Ensure that you keep the removed band safe and attach it when you remove the Apple Watch from the charging case.
Solar Charger
Solar charging method is ideal for those who prefer to harness the power of sunlight to charge their appliances and go-to gadgets, like iPad, Apple Pencil, Apple Watch, etc. These portable solar chargers provide sustainable and eco-friendly charging solutions.
Step 1: Ensure that your portable power station is fully charged. If not, you can connect it to solar panels that help charge portable power stations or use AC adapters to charge them.
Step 2: Place the Apple Watch on the magnetic charging cable.
Step 3: Take the other end of the cable and plug it directly into your solar charger.
Step 4: You can connect the cable to an adapter and then plug the adapter into your solar charger.
Even though this is not a traditional way to charge your Apple Watch and might take some time to charge, it offers a renewable energy source, ideal for all. With a Jackery Portable Power Station, you can effectively charge your smartwatch during outdoor adventures or emergencies. Additionally, with a Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station, you can fast charge your Apple Watch, and due to its compact and ergonomic design, you can even use it during your flights.
How To Charge an Apple Watch Without a Charger?
There are alternative ways to power up your Apple Watch if you find yourself without your Apple Watch charger or in a location with limited access. Whether you have misplaced your charger or are on the go without it, there are different methods to charge your Apple Watch without a charger. Check out a few creative solutions:
Computer USB Port: If you have access to the magnetic cable, you can directly connect the cable to a computer’s USB port. The USB port of a laptop or a desktop would provide the power required to charge your smartwatch.
Wireless Charger: A compatible wireless charger can also power up your Apple Watch. Directly place your Apple Watch on a compatible wireless charger to initiate wireless charging.
Portable Keychain Charger: There are several third-party portable keychain chargers that come with a built-in battery and USB output port. Simply place your Apple Watch inside the portable keychain charger to charge the smartwatch on the go.
Snap-in Magnetic Charger: Like portable keychain chargers, snap-in magnetic chargers provide portable charging solutions for your Apple Watch. Simply attach the snap-in charger to the back of your Apple Watch to start charging.
Wall Charging Stand: A wall charging stand features a magnetic charging pad and a USB connector for power. If you have a wall charging stand, you can place your Apple Watch on it to get it charged.
Desk Charging Stand: Similar to a wall charging stand, a desk charging stand is a portable charging stand that you can place on your office desk or a tabletop. Place your Apple Watch on the desk charging stand and when it is connected to the power, your smartwatch will start getting charged.
Wireless Power Bank: You can charge your Apple Watch with a wireless power bank. Remember that the wireless power bank should have Qi wireless charging capabilities that will not harm your gadget.
iPhone: Using an iPhone to charge your Apple Watch is not a traditional route, but if you have an iPhone with a Lightning port, you can use the iPhone’s battery to charge the smartwatch by simply connecting it with a Lightning to USB cable.
Car Charger: If you are traveling in a car or in an RV, you can charge your Apple Watch by using a car charger that comes with a USB output. Simply place your watch on the magnetic cable port and connect the latter to the USB output of the car charger.
How Long Does It Take To Charge An Apple Watch?
Charging the Apple Watch ensures that you have enough battery life to power through your day. However, the battery life also depends on the amount of usage. For instance, if you are simply using the Apple Watch to check time or a few notifications, then it will last for a longer time. But if you are using it to check your vitals or using it extensively during your workout sessions, then the battery will discharge more quickly.
The charging time of your Apple Watch depends on multiple factors, like the current battery level, the watch’s age, and the charging method in use. That said, it typically takes around 45 minutes to charge Apple Watch Series 9 from 0% to 80%, with an additional 10 - 15 minutes for fully charged. The Apple Watch SE series or the older versions need 1.5 hours to charge from 0% to 80%.
If you need to fast charge your Apple Watch, you can connect it with a compatible USB-C power adapter and USB-C to Apple Watch magnetic charging cable. This way, your smartwatch may get fully charged in 30 - 45 minutes.
Jackery Portable Power Stations for Apple Watches
Jackery is an acclaimed manufacturer of portable power stations, solar panels, and solar generators. Jackery has received numerous awards for its research and development in the field of creating eco-friendly, sustainable mode of battery backup solutions.
A Jackery Portable Power Station is a portable power unit that is designed for frequent travelers. The compact and ergonomic design of these portable power stations makes them ideal for camping, RV living, and power backups. A Jackery Portable Power Station comes with a pure sine wave inverter that converts the sun rays harnessed by the monocrystalline silicon solar cells of the Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels. The converted AC electricity from the inverter can power different outdoor and indoor appliances, like Apple Pencil, iPad, smartphones, Apple Watch, portable cooler, etc.
Apple recommends a minimum of 5 W power adapter to charge the Apple Watch efficiently. However, for fast charging, one can use different power adapters, like 20 W, 87 W, and even 96 W USB-C. With a Jackery Portable Power Station, one can easily plug in these different watt sizes of power adapter to quickly charge their Apple Watches. Due to the portability of these power stations, one is not even location-bound and can carry them to different outdoor activities.
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station weighs only 8.27 lbs, which makes it ideal for outdoor activities. The durable 10-year-old LiFePO4 battery provides enough battery power that charge multiple devices in one go, including Apple Watch and other smart devices.
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station features innovative ChargeShield technology and stable power output, which protects sensitive electronics from potential damage.
In order to understand the working hours that you will get when you use a 5 W USB-C power block to charge the Apple Watch, you will need to use the following formula:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of the Appliances
Working Hours = 288 Wh * 0.85 / 5 W = 48.9 H.
Note: The 0.85 value is multiplied by the total battery capacity to consider the power lost during the initial charging.
Customer Review
“This is what I was waiting for from Jackery. As an avid outdoor person, I and my family value the comfort of having electricity while camping. We love this device.” -- Ramon Lugo.
Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station
If you are constantly traveling and looking for a reliable power station that charges your electronics and can also be carried in your flight, then Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station is a reliable option. The portable power station comes with a 99 Wh battery capacity, ideal for charging Apple Watch, iPads, and other small to mid-range electronics.
The Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station can easily be fitted on top of your palm and 100W Dual PD Outputs and a USB-A output, letting you charge multiple devices in one go.
The working hours of the Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station will be calculated from the following formula.
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Wattage Consumption of the Appliances
Working Hours = 99 Wh * 0.85 / 5 W = 16.8 H.
Customer Review
“Durable little box that I charge my iPhone, iPad, My Watch, everything. I can take it On a plane too. Lord knows I need that because people are always using the outlets at the airports.” -- Lucia.
Why Won’t My Apple Watch Charge?
For new Apple users or those who have the complete Apple ecosystem, experiencing issues with charging the Apple Watch can be frustrating. However, understanding the generic common issues and troubleshooting can help you resolve the issues quickly.
Some of the common reasons that hinder your Apple Watch from getting charged are:
Poor Connection
The most common Apple Watch charging issue is the poor charging connection. There is a simple possibility that the magnetic cable is not securely connected to the Apple Watch or to the power source.
The best solution for this issue is to ensure that the magnetic charging cable is properly aligned and securely attached to the back of the Apple Watch. At the same time, one can even check the connection to the power source and check if the power connection is stable.
Dust in Charging Port
Another major issue that prevents your Apple Watch from charging is the dust or debris in the charging port, which has created obstruction in the connection.
You can carefully inspect the charging port and clean it with a dry fabric. You can also use a dry brush or compressed air to remove the accumulated dust.
Software Glitch
Another potential issue is related to the software glitch. It can either occur if you are using an old Apple Watch OS or if the on-air download was not correctly installed on your Apple Watch.
The best possible solution for the software glitch is to restart your Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button until the power off slider appears. Once the watch is turned off, press and hold the side button again for 5 seconds until the Apple logo appears. You can then try connecting the Apple Watch with the magnetic cable to see if it is charging.
How To Charge Apple Watch FAQs
What size of power station do I need for my Apple Watch?
The size of the power station you need to charge your Apple Watch depends on your charging frequency. For instance, if you use the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station to charge your Apple Watch with a 5 W USB-C power block, then you will get 48.9 H of charging time with it.
Can I charge my Apple Watch with my iPhone charger?
Yes, you can charge your Apple Watch with your iPhone charger by connecting the Apple Watch’s magnetic charging cable to the USB power adapter that comes with your iPhone.
How do I turn off my Apple Watch?
To turn off your Apple Watch, make sure that your Apple Watch is unlocked. Now press and hold the side button until you see a Power Off icon on the top right screen.
Can I overcharge my Apple Watch?
No, the latest iterations of Apple Watch stop charging once the battery reaches 100%. This feature prevents overcharging and ensures that even if you have kept the watch on the charger overnight, you will not damage the battery life.
How do I know my Apple Watch is charging?
Whenever you connect an Apple Watch to the charger, you will hear a chime sound and a green lightning bolt icon will appear on the screen, which indicates that the smartwatch is getting charged.
Final Thoughts
If you ever wondered how to charge your Apple Watch correctly, then from this comprehensive guide, you must have learned that there are different methods. By understanding these methods and exploring different troubleshooting common issues, one can optimize the charging process and ensure that their smartwatch is always ready when they need it. When you are traveling or living outdoors, you can use Jackery Portable Power Station to quickly charge your Apple Watch. The portable design of this power station lets you carry it inside the flight, where you can use it to charge your gadgets, like Apple Pencil, Laptop, etc.
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