Is watchOS 10 causing battery drain? Here's what we know | Digital Trends (2024)

Is watchOS 10 causing battery drain? Here's what we know | Digital Trends (1)

Every fall, Apple releases new software updates for the company’s most important products. This year, it introduced iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 for the iPhone and iPad, respectively, tvOS 17 for Apple TV, and watchOS 10 for Apple Watch.

Contents

  • Does watchOS 10 cause battery drain?
  • Why battery drain in watchOS 10 is normal
  • How to fix watchOS 10 battery drain

Some Apple Watch users have reported experiencing a significant battery drain since installing the watchOS 10 update, regardless of their model. Is this really happening? Is there something wrong with the update? Here are a few thoughts that may shed some light on the issue.

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Does watchOS 10 cause battery drain?

Is watchOS 10 causing battery drain? Here's what we know | Digital Trends (2)

The watchOS 10 update was unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2023) and has been eagerly anticipated by Apple Watch users. This update is the most significant software update in years and introduces various new-and-improved features — including Smart Stack, an adorable Snoopy watch face, advanced hiking tools, and mental health monitoring. As a result, many users have been eager to update their Apple Watches to watchOS 10 as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, some early adopters are reporting Apple Watch battery issues since installing the update. Messages left at MacRumors, on Reddit, and through the Apple discussion groups all say the same thing: there’s something not quite right battery-wise with watchOS 10.

Apple has not yet commented on some Apple Watch users’ concerns, and it probably won’t. Several factors can often affect the watch’s battery life; not all may be related to the software.

We have been using watchOS 10 on a first-generation Apple Watch Ultra since the first public beta was released in July. During this time, we have not experienced any problems with the battery life of the watch. This doesn’t mean problems don’t exist for others, however. It could be, for example, that battery problems only affect users with old Apple Watch models. Or maybe the battery itself is somehow damaged. Any multitude of factors can be to blame for battery drain complaints like this.

Why battery drain in watchOS 10 is normal

Is watchOS 10 causing battery drain? Here's what we know | Digital Trends (3)

It is important to note that beta software versions are known for having battery-draining issues. However, before you consider ditching your Apple Watch due to battery issues, it is essential to understand that the first public version of watchOS 10 can also cause temporary hiccups despite being a technically stable version.

This means that even if you are not using a beta version and are experiencing battery issues, it may be a temporary issue that will level out within a few days. If the issue persists, Apple will almost certainly release a new build, such as watchOS 10.0.1, and the problem should disappear.

How to fix watchOS 10 battery drain

Is watchOS 10 causing battery drain? Here's what we know | Digital Trends (4)

If you’re experiencing battery issues with your Apple Watch and can’t wait for an update, you can try a few basic tips. First, try turning your Apple Watch off and on again, as this can often improve battery life. You can also try clearing apps and turning on Low Power Mode.

If these solutions don’t work, you can consider factory resettingyour Apple Watch, but waiting for another software update is recommended before taking this final step.

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Is watchOS 10 causing battery drain? Here's what we know | Digital Trends (2024)

FAQs

What's causing my Apple Watch battery to drain? ›

The longer the display is on, the faster the battery drains. You don't want the screen to light up every time you reach for your coffee or use your hand to adjust your eyeglasses. It's wise to turn off "Wake Screen on Wrist Raise," especially if you do a lot of computer or lifting work.

What is the battery life of the Apple Watch Series 10? ›

Apple Watch is so capable you'll want to wear it all day long. So we made sure we gave it a battery that lasts all day, too. Our goal for battery life is 18 hours after an overnight charge, factoring in things like checking the time, receiving notifications, using apps, and doing a 60-minute workout.

How to save battery on Apple Watch iOS 10? ›

Adjust your settings.

There are a few ways you can preserve battery life on your Apple Watch: During running and walking workouts, turn on Power Saving Mode to disable the heart rate sensor. To do this, open the Apple Watch app on iPhone, go to My Watch > Workout, and turn on Power Saving Mode.

What kills Apple Watch battery the most? ›

When you raise your wrist to see your watch or tap the screen, it "wakes" the display for a short period of time. If you have the wake time set to 70 seconds, that will drain the battery quickly.

How to fix Apple Watch battery drain after 10 update? ›

Apple Watch Battery Drain after updating to 10.4
  1. Charge to full before bed.
  2. Battery will be about 88-90% by morning. Charge it to full again first thing in the morning, which usually takes 10-15 minutes.
  3. Put the watch back on and exercise. ...
  4. Wear the watch the rest of the day and don't charge until nighttime.
Mar 31, 2024

Why is my Apple Watch suddenly dying so fast? ›

Things You Should Know. Disable features like "Always On", "Hey Siri", "Wake on Wrist Raise," and other features to save battery life. If your Apple Watch is an older model, the battery may have deteriorated due to age. Low battery life could also be due to software update issues or pairing problems.

How do I stop my Apple Watch battery from dying? ›

Here are some tricks and tips that might increase an Apple Watch's daily battery use with the current watchOS 10:
  1. Adjust display settings. ...
  2. Reduce the number of notifications. ...
  3. Turn off haptics. ...
  4. Remove apps from the Smart Stack. ...
  5. Delete 3rd party apps. ...
  6. Disable location services, especially for the Apple weather app.
Oct 25, 2023

How do I stop my watch battery from draining? ›

To maximize the battery life of your watch, try the solutions below.
  1. Let your screen turn off. You can set the display to turn off when not in use, rather than always show the time. ...
  2. Try a different watch face. ...
  3. Adjust screen brightness. ...
  4. Turn off notifications you don't want. ...
  5. Uninstall apps. ...
  6. Check battery life & usage.

What is the lifespan of an Apple Watch? ›

So how long does an Apple Watch last and are Apple Watches worth buying? There will always be exceptions, but on balance, based on the experience of our own reviewers and the comments we've seen from users online, I would say that an Apple Watch provide five to six years of good performance.

Do Apple watches lose battery life over time? ›

All rechargeable batteries are consumables and have a limited lifespan—eventually their capacity and performance decline. As batteries age, it can contribute to changes in Apple Watch performance.

What is the realistic battery life of the Apple Watch? ›

Apple Watch is so capable you'll want to wear it all day long. So we made sure we gave it a battery that lasts all day too. Our goal for battery life is 18 hours after an overnight charge, factoring in things like checking the time, receiving notifications, using apps and doing a 60-minute workout.

Why does the Apple Watch have a bad battery compared to Garmin? ›

Easy to explain: the Garmin Watches are performing many fewer functions than Apple Watch or Samsung Watches and thus on a same or similar battery Garmin watches can last longer precisely because they're using less energy by performing fewer functions.

Does having an Apple Watch drain your phone battery? ›

Leaving the iPhone in your bag or in your cart causes pairing disruption between your devices and this will trigger the constant search for a connection between your iPhone and Apple Watch, causing battery drain. From our experience, the biggest influence on battery consumption is the device's battery health.

Is it bad to leave your Apple Watch plugged in all night? ›

There's no indication from Apple that charging overnight affects battery health.

Does Apple Watch battery get worse over time? ›

All rechargeable batteries are consumables and have a limited lifespan—eventually their capacity and performance decline. As batteries age, it can contribute to changes in Apple Watch performance.

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