Apple Watch Series 7 suffers fast-charging issues due to update — here's a fix

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Uh-oh, watchOS 8.5 update is causing trouble

Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 7 (Image credit: Apple)

Apple rolled out watchOS 8.5 on March 14 with a host of eye-catching features, including improvements to heart-rhythm detection and enhancements to Apple's $10-per-month Fitness+ subscription. While watchOS 8.5 served up some cool perks, it also brought a troublesome bug.

Two weeks after the release of watchOS 8's fifth major software update, reports of fast-charging issues skyrocketed, according to 9to5Mac. Apple Watch Series Series 7 users flooded Apple and Reddit forums to seek a resolution for the problem.

Apple Watch Series 7 users bemoan fast-charging issues

The Watch Series 7 battery level can reach 80% in about 45 minutes while using a USB cable with a power delivery of 5W (or better). However, after the watchOS 8.5 update, Watch Series 7 users noticed a significant slowdown; the wearable takes about 15 to 20 minutes for a 5% increase in battery life.

"My series 7 took around 15min for 5% of loading (63% -> 68%). Original charging cable and brick. Was way faster before I updated to watchos8.5," a Reddit user with the moniker "Lanbrueck" said. Concurring with Lanbruek, Reddit user BuckHornJon said, "Confirmed, charging this morning, 20% —> 25% has taken 20 min."

According to the comments on Reddit and Apple's support forum, the issue affects the Watch Series 7 using Apple's own USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable or a third-party accessory like the Belkin Boost Charge Pro (wireless charging pad).

Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Charging Pad with MagSafe

Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Charging Pad with MagSafe (Image credit: Belkin)

Fortunately, there is a workaround solution — as long as you have other Apple devices lying around that are capable of power delivery.

How to fix the watchOS 8.5 fast-charging issue on Apple Watch Series 7

As spotted by iMore, a user stated that fast charging only works while the Watch Series 7 is plugged into another device, such as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro or 14-inch MacBook Pro.

Apple hasn't addressed this watchOS 8.5 bug yet, but it's only a matter of time before the Cupertino-based tech giant caves under the pressure of the mounting complaints.

Kimberly Gedeon
Kimberly Gedeon

Kimberly Gedeon, holding a Master's degree in International Journalism, launched her career as a journalist for MadameNoire's business beat in 2013. She loved translating stuffy stories about the economy, personal finance and investing into digestible, easy-to-understand, entertaining stories for young women of color. During her time on the business beat, she discovered her passion for tech as she dove into articles about tech entrepreneurship, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the latest tablets. After eight years of freelancing, dabbling in a myriad of beats, she's finally found a home at Laptop Mag that accepts her as the crypto-addicted, virtual reality-loving, investing-focused, tech-fascinated nerd she is. Woot!