Apple Watch Gets Slow Charger Warnings in watchOS 26

Tuesday September 16, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by Juli Clover

watchOS 26 includes a feature that lets you know if you're using an Apple Watch charger that is not optimized for the fastest charging speeds.

watchos 26 slow charger
According to a new Apple support document, if your Apple Watch detects a charging experience that could be improved, a Slow Charger message will be displayed in the Battery section of the Settings app. Instances of slow charging are shown in orange, while fast charging speeds are displayed in green.

Apple says that the Slow Charger warning simply means that you could get faster charging speeds with a higher-wattage charger, and it does not mean there is something wrong with a slower charger.

Apple recommends a USB-C Power Delivery charger and the USB-C Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable that came with the watch for the fastest charging.

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Top Rated Comments

vegetassj4

14 months ago

Warning...you are not using an Apple Approved Charger™...we cannot guarantee ~~that you have paid us money~~ the safety of the charger, and have slowed the charging speed for your protection.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jz0309

14 months ago

well, I charge my Ultra 2 overnight on the charging cable/puck that came with my S0, slow as can be, but yet way fast enough to charge the watch overnight. And sure enough, my entire charging session from last night - it's orange ;)
I will continue charging that way other than travel

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

mariusfanu

14 months ago

well, I charge my Ultra 2 overnight on the charging cable/puck that came with my S0, slow as can be, but yet way fast enough to charge the watch overnight. And sure enough, my entire charging session from last night - it's orange ;)

I like to charge my Ultra 2 on the fast charger,, usually while I shower or something for 30+ minutes. I prefer to keep it on during the night to get sleep data.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

MrRom92

14 months ago

at home I still use the regular “slow” charging puck that came with my launch series 0 even though I am now wearing a series 7 - it will charge from empty to full in about 2 hours, which is more than enough for me needing to charge it to 100% overnight

On the other hand, the fast charger that came with my series 7 goes in my travel bag where I may have longer days/nights out and need it to charge faster at odd times or in odd locations.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

con2apple

14 months ago

uh oh… sounds like the EU dogs are barking and wishing to be unleashed. Fines incoming.

You don't understand the EU.

Apple should stop favoring its own products and trying to convince customers that competitors are fundamentally bad or dangerous.

That doesn't happen here. So no problem.

And I still don't understand why consumer protection is hated when it comes to Apple. When the company proves every year that it exploits its market power.

Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

segfaultdotorg

14 months ago

And it has to be charged at least once a day, every day, like feeding a needy baby or something! These things need cold fusion to compete with the battery life of a Fitbit.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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Apple Watch Gets Slow Charger Warnings in watchOS 26

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