Why Is My Apple Watch Battery Draining So Fast?

In the ever-evolving world of wearable technology, Apple is one of the companies that has always taken the lead, consistently pushing boundaries with every new update. However, their OS release on September 18, 2023, the WatchOS 10, and its subsequent update, WatchOS 10.1, launched on October 25, 2023, have left many users scratching their heads and asking, "Why is my Apple Watch battery draining so fast?" With already being a regular gripe for Apple Watch users, at first glance this update doesn't seem to have been good news. 

WatchOS 10.1 brought with it a host of new and exciting features. The NameDrop feature, allowing you to exchange contact information simply by tapping your Apple Watch against another Apple Watch or iPhone, is a game-changer for those in a rush.

Additionally, the intriguing Double Tap gesture, exclusive to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, lets you manage phone calls and alarms with a simple tap of your index finger and thumb. But with every silver lining, there's unfortunately a cloud, and for many users, this cloud is a relatively short battery life after the update.

Since the update to WatchOS 10.1, users have been experiencing a battery life decrease of 3 to 4 hours. This sudden drop in battery performance has sparked concern amongst the Apple Watch community, leading us at FitstrapsUK (the number 1 Apple Watch Wrist Straps site) to explore the reasons behind this issue and potential solutions to fix it.

WatchOS 10.1.1 Upgrade: Apple's Solution to the Battery Drain Issue

Apple has responded to battery drain concerns by releasing the WatchOS 10.1.1 update. If you've noticed your Apple Watch battery life diminishing rapidly since the October 25th update, then this update is designed to be your saving grace.

You can download this update right now. Just open the Apple Watch app on an iPhone operating on iOS 17 or later, tap General, and then tap Software Update. Remember, for a successful installation, your Apple Watch should have at least half of its battery life and should be positioned on a charger. For more information on charging your Apple Watch without a charger, please read this blog post.

Looking ahead, Apple is in the process of testing WatchOS 10.2. This update, likely to be released alongside iOS 17.2 in December, promises to bring back a favourite feature removed with the upgrade to WatchOS 10.

In the third beta of WatchOS 10.2, Apple has reintroduced the ability to swap watch faces, much to the delight of its users. To enable this feature, simply navigate to Settings app and then to Clock.

But only developers are currently using this beta version of the WatchOS. Unfortunately,everyone else will need to wait till December for the public roll-out of this update.

If your Apple Watch still rapidly loses battery life after the WatchOS 10.1.1 update, there may be other underlying issues at play. You can address these issues to improve battery life of your device.

What Else Could Be Causing Your Apple Watch's Battery to Drain Rapidly?

There are a few reasons why your Apple Watch's battery life could be diminishing after the update. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Always-on Display:

The Always-on Display feature, while enhancing the user experience by keeping the screen constantly visible, may be a major culprit in the speedy depletion of your Apple Watch's battery. As this function keeps the display continuously illuminated throughout the day, it demands a substantial amount of power. This constant energy consumption can significantly shorten the battery lifespan between charges.

Solution: Adjusting Display Settings

To counteract this fast battery drain, you can modify the watch display settings. Start by reducing the 'Wake Screen' duration. Tap 'Display & Brightness' settings under the 'My Watch' tab in your Apple Watch app. Here, tap 'Wake Duration' and set it to 'Wake for 15 seconds'.

Further, switch off the 'Wake on Wrist Raise' function to extend battery longevity. With this setting switched off, the screen will only activate when you either tap the device or turn the Digital Crown. This small adjustment can have a considerable impact on preserving your battery life.

2. Unnecessary Notifications

In the digital age, we often find ourselves bombarded with an array of notifications from numerous apps. While these alerts can keep us connected and informed, they could be a major culprit in draining your Apple Watch's battery life.

Each time a notification is received, your watch screen illuminates, and the device uses Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to fetch the information, consuming notable battery power.

This issue is even more pronounced if you have many apps installed and have not disabled notifications for the less frequently used ones. This constant demand on your battery can lead to its rapid depletion.

Solution: Fine-Tuning Notification Settings

To mitigate this issue, consider fine-tuning your notification settings. This involves disabling alerts from non-essential apps. By doing so, your Apple Watch will use less power to fetch and display notifications, thus conserving battery life.

Go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap 'Notifications', and then disable them for non-essential apps. Remember, less is more when it comes to preserving your battery life.

3. Pairing Issues

In certain scenarios, glitches in the pairing process between your Apple Watch and iPhone could be contributing to the rapid depletion of your watch's battery life.

The cause might be a flaw in the communication system between the two devices, leading to an increased effort to maintain the connectivity. This additional strain can inevitably cause your battery to deplete at an accelerated rate.

Solution: Re-pair the Apple Watch

To mitigate this issue, you can attempt to establish a fresh connection between your iPhone and Apple Watch. Unpair the devices first, then re-pair them.

This action essentially resets the connection, eliminating any existing glitches that could be causing the battery drainage. Here's how to do it:

1. Initiate the Watch app on your iPhone.

2. Navigate to the 'My Watch' tab and select 'All Watches'.

3. Click on the information button next to your Apple Watch.

4. Tap 'Unpair Apple Watch'.

5. Proceed with re-pairing the devices.

By following these steps, you should be able to establish a new, error-free connection between your Apple watches and iPhone, potentially alleviating the battery issues.

4. Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh is a powerful feature enabling your applications on both the iPhone and Apple Watch to stay updated with the most recent data, enhancing your overall user experience. However, this constant data exchange can significantly impact the battery life of your device.

Essentially, when Background App Refresh is active, your apps are continually working in the background, leading to a quicker battery drain. This effect is even more pronounced if multiple apps are permitted to refresh in the background.

Solution: Disable this Feature on Some Apps

One effective strategy to combat this rapid battery depletion is to turn off Background App Refresh entirely or for specific apps. Navigate to the 'General' section in the 'My Watch' tab of the Watch app on your iPhone. Here, you can find and tap 'Background App Refresh'.

By toggling off the feature entirely, or for individual apps, you can significantly improve your Apple Watch's battery life. Consider keeping it active only for apps that require real-time data, thus striking a balance between utility and battery longevity.

5. Heart rate sensor

The heart rate sensor on your Apple Watch is a sophisticated feature that provides valuable fitness tracking data. However, its continuous operation can significantly impact battery performance.

The sensor collects heart rate data in real time, necessitating a high level of energy use. If left unchecked, this feature can sap your battery at a hastened pace, shortening the duration between necessary charges.

Solution: Power-saving Mode

To mitigate this issue, altering certain settings on your Apple Watch could be the key. It's advisable to turn off the Heart rate sensor when you're not working out or doing any strenuous physical activity.

This can be done by navigating to the My Watch section on your iPhone's Watch app, proceeding to Privacy, then Motion and Fitness and finally toggling off Heart Rate.

Also, consider enabling the Power Saving Mode while exercising. Although it does affect the accuracy of the calorie count, it significantly extends battery life by disabling the Heart rate sensor.

Remember to disable the Workout feature as well once you have completed your exercise as it can also contribute to Apple Watch battery drain if left running.

You should also reboot the device after sometime by holding the crown and side button untile the Apple logo appears. This sometimes lead to an overall better battery health.

Enhance Your Apple Watch Performance with Durable Bands

The durability and comfort of your Apple Watch bands significantly influence the accuracy of health and fitness tracking during workouts. A secure fit ensures uninterrupted contact between your skin and the watch sensors, yielding precise data.

Highly durable iwatch bands, such as those offered by FitstrapsUK, are resilient to the wear and tear associated with rigorous physical activity, ensuring a consistent and reliable fit over time.

At Fitstraps, we are know to provide premium grade replacement bands compatible with a wide range of models, including Series 3 wristbands right through to the latest Series 8 straps and Apple Watch Ultra 2 wristbands. What ever your own unique style and vibe is our collection features straps tailored to fit perfectly, offering options for every look or occasion.

Our selection of Apple Watch bands combines functionality with style, offering you a range of options that not only enhance tracking accuracy but also seamlessly blend with your personal style.