Key Takeaways
- Smartwatch charging methods can vary from brand to brand, and even from one generation to the next.
- Proper charging can improve your smartwatch’s battery health and performance.
- You can conveniently charge your smartwatch and other devices with Mophie’s efficient 3-in-1 wireless chargers.
If you’re anything like us, nothing’s more annoying than being halfway out the door and late for work, only to realize that your smartwatch is on the verge of conking out. If you’ve ever wondered why your smartwatch is not charging or how long it takes to charge a smartwatch, you’re in the right place!
Get the answers you need with this quick guide, including insights into whether you can charge your smartwatch with your phone.
Charging Can Vary By Smartwatch Make & Model
Before we look closer at how you charge a smartwatch, it’s important to realize that charging speeds and methods can vary a lot based on the make/model you’re working with.
Brand-Specific Systems
Brands like to put their own proprietary spin on every piece of tech, and smartwatches are no different. An Apple Series 10 watch uses Apple’s own MagSafe wireless charging puck for power, while the Google Pixel Watch 4 uses an all-new side-mounted charging station.
Why should that matter to you? These proprietary charging systems are typically not universal. This means you can’t use your friend’s Galaxy Watch charger to power up your Apple Watch in a pinch. USB-C might have universalized wired charging, but how you charge a smartwatch is still very brand-dependent today.
Wired, Wireless, & Beyond
Thanks to Apple’s MagSafe revolution, most of us picture wireless charging when we think of smartwatches. However, tons of other brands still support wired charging. For example, many of Garmin’s smartwatches can still be charged via USB-C or A, and many people still prefer wired charging for its speed advantage.
There’s more than just wired and MagSafe charging out there. If you’re tired of wondering why your smartwatch is not charging and constantly needing to charge up before work, you might prefer solar charging watches like the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar.
Why Proper Charging Matters
Battery Health
How you charge a smartwatch can have a massive impact on things like:
- Overall battery longevity
- Day-to-day battery life
- Potential safety risks, like overheating
The lithium-ion batteries used in most smartwatches are durable but not invincible. They degrade over time, and this degradation can affect how long it takes to charge a smartwatch and more.
Performance
The impact of improper charging on performance can vary based on the smartwatch. For example, you might see laggy interfaces and even inaccurate tracking on a less powerful device like a Fitbit.
By learning how to charge a smartwatch properly, you’re ensuring your device has the juice it needs to perform a range of resource-intensive tasks, including GPS tracking, heartbeat monitoring, and repeated synchronizations with your phone.
Types of Smartwatch Chargers
From the Apple Watch Ultra 2 to the SE and even Galaxy Watches, smartwatch chargers can vary more than you think, and each type of smartwatch charger has its distinct advantages.
Fast Apple Watch Chargers
If you’ve ever used a newer Apple Watch and wondered why your smartwatch is not fast charging, it might be because you’re using an outdated charger.
Apple’s USB-C magnetic fast charging cable supports fast charging for non-SE models, starting from the Series 7 onwards. As long as you’re using at least an 18W power adapter, you don’t need to worry about how to charge a smartwatch. Just place your watch on the puck and you’re good to go!
Phone Charging
Can you charge your smartwatch with your phone? As helpful as that feature might be in an emergency, it’s unfortunately not universal yet. Samsung Galaxy users can charge their smartwatches wirelessly by placing them on the back of certain Galaxy models.
It gets a little more complicated with Apple. You can’t directly charge your Apple Watch with your iPhone’s MagSafe coil, but you can plug the USB-C charging cable into your iPhone (15 onwards) to charge your Apple Watch.
Docks and Hubs
If you’re unsure how to charge your smartwatch along with your other devices simultaneously, this is the answer. Docks and hubs like 3-in-1 portable travel chargers offer a convenient way to charge multiple devices simultaneously, whether you’re traveling or just kicking back at your desk. A good hub doesn’t impact how long it takes to charge a smartwatch, so you won’t have to worry about slow charge times, either.
Pin-Based Chargers
Some brands still rely on proprietary pin-based chargers for certain models, including Garmin’s Fenix and Forerunner series. If you’re using one of these, you likely won’t have to wonder why your smartwatch isn’t charging. These cables are rugged and designed to take a beating, catering to fitness enthusiasts who need a reliable connection come rain or shine.
How to Charge Your Smartwatch
This is the easy part! If you don’t know how to charge a smartwatch right now, you certainly will after these three easy steps.
Step 1: Find The Right Charger
This is the most important part of the whole process. If you don’t have access to the charger that came with your smartwatch, or if you want to upgrade to a better one, you’ll need to identify the right wireless charger for your device.
If you’re an Apple Watch user, we recommend getting a multi-device charger like Mophie’s 3-in-1 wireless stand. Being able to charge up your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch simultaneously is a massive time saver and minimizes the hassle of having to deal with multiple cables.
Next-Gen Charging
What’s even easier than using a wireless stand? How about a desk mat! Whether you don’t know how to charge a smartwatch or you’re a total tech enthusiast, Mophie’s wireless charging-enabled desk mat supports most wireless charging-compatible devices. Just place your phone/other devices anywhere on the mat and you’re good to go!
Step 2: Place Your Smartwatch On The Charger
Once you’ve located a compatible charger, all you need to do is connect your smartwatch to it. For Apple, Samsung, and Pixel Watch users, this is as simple as placing your phone on the wireless charging station.
Wondering why your smartwatch isn’t charging? You might be trying to power your smartwatch with an incompatible charger. If you’re using a Garmin or another brand, double-check that you have the correct proprietary charger.
Step 3: Remove Your Smartwatch
How long does it take to charge a smartwatch today? If you know how to charge a smartwatch, not long at all. Fast charging-compatible smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 9 and 10 can go from 0 to 80% in a little over 30 minutes.
Once your smartwatch has charged fully, simply remove it from its charging puck/wireless station. You’re all set!
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Picking The Wrong Charging Environment
Trying to see whether you can charge your smartwatch with your phone is harmless, but picking the wrong place to charge it can actually have negative consequences.
For example, leaving your smartwatch to charge under direct sunlight in a heated room can cause it to overheat, rapidly accelerating battery degradation. If you’re learning how to charge a smartwatch, you’ll want to avoid environments with extreme temperatures.
Using an Unreliable Charger
If you’re using a third-party charger, go with trusted brands like Mophie. Many buyers often wonder why their smartwatch isn’t charging when they’re using substandard products with zero quality control.
Using an unreliable or even incompatible charger can deliver incorrect voltage to your device, leading to slow or even no charging.
Is Overcharging a Problem?
Generally, no. Most modern smartwatches, whether Samsung or Apple, come with built-in safety mechanisms to avoid overcharging. This is why leaving your phone or smartwatch charging overnight isn’t really a problem.
Experience The Best in Charging
Now that you know how to charge a smartwatch, it’s time to experience the best in wireless charging with Mophie. Mophie’s elevated designs, industry-leading quality control, and blazing-fast charging speeds make it the ideal choice for your smartwatch charging needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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