Apple Watch Gets Slow Charger Warnings in watchOS 26

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.

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...
iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out. Below, we have...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...

Top Rated Comments

vegetassj4 Avatar
15 weeks ago
Warning...you are not using an Apple Approved Charger™...we cannot guarantee [S]that you have paid us money[/S] the safety of the charger, and have slowed the charging speed for your protection.



Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
15 weeks 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



Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mariusfanu Avatar
15 weeks 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.



Attachment Image
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrRom92 Avatar
15 weeks 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 Avatar
15 weeks 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 Avatar
15 weeks 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)