If your Apple Watch is not charging beyond 80%, it can be frustrating, especially if you rely on it throughout the day. Many Apple Watch users encounter this issue and immediately assume the battery is faulty, but in most cases, it is due to built-in charging optimizations or specific settings that limit the charge for battery health.
Let’s understand why this happens and how you can fix it.
Why Apple Watch stops charging at 80%?
Apple has introduced a feature called Optimized Battery Charging. It is designed to extend the overall lifespan of your battery by learning your daily charging habits and limiting the charge to 80% until you need the device fully charged. This helps reduce battery aging caused by keeping it at 100% for extended periods.
Sometimes, this behavior can also be triggered by high temperatures. If the watch gets too warm while charging, it may pause charging temporarily, and in some cases, it may stop at 80% to protect the battery from heat damage.
How to Fix the “Apple Watch Charging Stuck at 80%” Issue?
If you are okay with the battery health optimization, you can keep the feature on and just be aware that it is working as intended. However, if you need your Apple Watch to charge to 100% every time, you can try the following fixes.
Disable Optimized Battery Charging
- On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown and go to Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Battery.
- Select Battery Health.
- Tap Optimized Battery Charging.
- Turn it off and choose Turn Off Until Tomorrow or Turn Off Permanently.
Once disabled, your Apple Watch should charge up to 100% without stopping at 80%.
Keep Your Apple Watch Cool While Charging
If your Apple Watch is getting warm during charging, move it to a cooler location or ensure it is not exposed to direct sunlight or placed near heat sources. Overheating can cause charging to slow down or stop at 80%.
Restart Your Apple Watch
A quick restart can sometimes fix temporary glitches that prevent the watch from charging fully.
- Press and hold the Side Button until the Power Off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn it off.
- After a few seconds, press and hold the Side Button again until you see the Apple logo.
Check Your Charger and Cable
Use the original Apple Magnetic Charging Cable or a certified charger. Damaged or incompatible charging accessories can cause slow or incomplete charging.
Update watchOS
Software updates often include fixes for battery and charging issues. To update:
- On your iPhone, open the Watch app.
- Go to General > Software Update.
- Download and install any available updates.
Try Charging Overnight
Since Optimized Battery Charging works based on your daily routine, leaving your Apple Watch to charge overnight can help it recognize that you need a full charge before you start your day.
Read: How to Change the Name of Apple Watch With and Without iPhone (Complete Steps)
Final Words
If your Apple Watch charges only to 80%, it’s usually a result of Apple’s intentional battery health feature, not a defect. By disabling Optimized Battery Charging or ensuring the device stays cool and is using proper accessories, you can quickly resolve the issue.
If none of these steps work, you may want to contact Apple Support to check for a potential battery hardware issue.