If you want to know if it’s possible to charge your Apple Watch without its dedicated charger, this guide is for you.
Apple Watch is notorious for its battery life and if you own an Apple Watch, you must have gone through the hassle of keeping its charger with you all the time. But, what if you forget your charger at home? Can you charge your Apple Watch without its dedicated charger? Well, let’s find out!
In this WearToTrack Guide, I’ll cover the following topics.
- How to Recharge your Apple Watch?
- Does the latest Apple Watches have a hidden port?
- Should you use the hidden port to charge your Apple Watch?
- 4 Alternate Ways to charge your Apple Watch without its dedicated charger
- And many more!
Apple recommends charging Apple Watch using its dedicated charger but even if you don’t have it, there are ways you can use it to charge your Apple Watch and I’ll tell you about them.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
How Do You Use The Specialized Magnetic Charger For Your Apple Watch To Charge?
Let me quickly explain how to use your Apple Watch’s dedicated magnetic charger before we move on to our main subject. I’ll break down the entire process into manageable steps so you can follow along.
Step #1: Please Remove Apple Watch from your wrist and put it on the concave side of the charger. Ensure that the watch is aligned with the charge and that magnets are connected.
Step #2: Next, plug the power brick into a power outlet while the charging cable is plugged into the power brick.
Step #3: After completing steps #1 and #2, your Apple Watch will begin charging and a green bolt will appear on the watch’s display.
Depending on the model of Apple Watch you have, charging times now vary. If you have the most recent Apple Watch 8, it takes about 1.5 hours to charge completely, but an older model may take up to 3 hours.
If you are traveling, there’s a possibility that you might not have access to a charger so I’d recommend that you invest in a power bank with wireless charging capability to recharge your devices including your Apple Watch.
Can Apple Watch Be Charged Without a Special Magnetic Charger?
The Apple Watch comes with a special magnetic charger that makes it easy to quickly recharge your smartwatch. It has an 18-hour battery life. You don’t need to worry if you misplace the charger because you can still recharge the device with any other magnetic charger.
Is It Possible To Charge An Apple Watch Without A Special Magnetic Charger?
If you have the most recent models of the Apple Watch, such as the Series 7, Series 8, or later versions, it is not possible to charge your Apple Watch without a magnetic charger. To use a hidden charging port, look behind your straps if you have an Apple Watch Series 6 or an earlier model.
In a nutshell, a magnetic charger is the only way to charge the most recent Apple Watch models (Series 7, Series 8, and the latest versions). The secret port can be used to recharge your Apple Watch if you have a Series 6 or earlier model.
Does the Series 8 Apple Watch Have a Secret Charging Port?
Early models of the Apple Watch featured a hidden diagnostic port that allowed Apple technicians to use it to identify issues with malfunctioning watches.
In 2015, a few Apple fans found this hidden port and learned that the Apple Watch can also be charged through it.
Later, firms like Reserve and Togvu attempted to market their straps that would have used this port to charge Apple Watches, but both of these initiatives were a failure.
People who used this port for charging put the device at risk of overheating and electric sparks because it was designed to be used for diagnostics and not charging.
Because of this, Apple discontinued using this port in Apple Watch Series 7 and later models. It is no longer present on any of the newest Apple Watch models, including the Series 8 and Ultra models.
How Do I Use The Hidden Port To Charge My Apple Watch? Do It Should You?
If you have an Apple Watch 6 or an earlier model, you can choose to charge your device using the hidden port, but the real question is: Should you?
My opinion is that you shouldn’t because the hidden port is intended for diagnostics and if you attempt to use it for charging, it could go wrong and cause damage to your Apple Watch.
Additionally, Apple does not advise charging your Apple Watch through a diagnostic port because doing so puts your watch at risk for overheating and even electrical sparks.
What other ways do I have to charge my Apple Watch, you must be wondering by this point. The solution is that you ought to purchase a magnetic charger. Any magnetic charger that supports Apple Watch will function with it, but for optimal performance, I would suggest using an official charger.
What Alternate Chargers Are There For The Apple Watch?
These are the 4 alternative methods for charging your Apple Watch if you frequently travel.
- Spare Charger: The first option is to get a spare Apple Watch charger and keep it in your backpack all the time. This option might not be viable for many options because you will only be able to use this charger if you find the power port.
- Portable Wireless Charger: The second option which I recommend to most people is to invest in a portable charger. These chargers come with their battery pack which you can use to recharge your Apple Watch and other devices with ease.
- Solar Charger: Solar Charger is another option that you can as an alternative to Apple Watch Charger. These Chargers use sunlight to make electricity which can be used to recharge your Apple Watch.
- Wind Up Charger: Wind Up Chargers, also known as Hand crank chargers, are very popular among adventurers and these chargers can recharge your Apple Watch by winding. So, if you are out there in the wild and you want to recharge your Apple Watch, just wind your Wind Up Charger and it will start recharging.
In the above section, I shared the general alternatives which you can use to recharge your Apple Watch. Here are some of the most popular and best Alternatives to Apple Watch Dedicated Chargers in 2023.
1. Apple MagSafe Duo
One of my favorite and most well-liked Apple Watch portable chargers is the MagSafe Duo. Since it’s an official Apple product, you can count on its dependability and durability. I have personally used this travel charger, and I am satisfied with it.
The fact that this portable charger functions flawlessly with all the most recent Apple products, including iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches, is something I liked about it. In addition, it works with wireless charging gadgets that support Qi.
Additionally, you can carry it in your backpack with ease thanks to its small form factor. The only drawback to this charger is its high price, which, like other Apple products, may put some people off.
2. JSL JDTC Portable Charger
Consider the JSL JDTC Portable Charger if you don’t want to spend a lot of money but still want a good and dependable Apple Watch portable charger under $50. Since Apple’s MFi Program has officially approved it, you can be sure that it won’t harm your Apple Watch.
The charger is reasonably portable and is simple to carry in a backpack. The charger also includes a metal clip that you can use to hang it from your bag or suitcase.
Overall, the JSL JDTC Portable charger is the best option if you’re looking for a lightweight and dependable Apple Watch portable charger.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Power Bank Recharge My Apple Watch?
Yes, you can use your power bank to recharge your smartwatch if it supports Apple Watch. Make sure that any third-party charging device you use has been approved by Apple’s MFi program, which is the approval the company gives to approved products for Apple devices, before using it, though. A device is safe to use with Apple devices if it has MFi certification.
Can I Charge My Apple Watch With My iPhone Charger?
You can charge your Apple Watch with your iPhone’s power adapter, but you shouldn’t use the wire that came with your phone to do so. It is always advised to recharge your Apple Watch using the specific charger that came with it.
Is the Apple Watch pre-charged?
Although Apple Watch does typically come charged, it is advised that you always charge it to 100% before using it for the first time.
Does the Apple Watch have a way to charge without a charger?
The answer is that there isn’t a different way to charge your Apple Watch without a charger. You can use Apple-approved portable chargers to recharge your Apple Watch if you don’t have access to its specific charger.
Can I Use My iPhone Charger To Charge My Apple Watch?
The good news is that you can use a 12W USB Power Adapter to charge your Apple Watch even though the Apple Watch 8 doesn’t come with a power adapter in the box. In a similar vein, you can refuel your Apple Watch using your MagSafe Duo Charger.
Conclusion
Apple Watch can only be charged by specific chargers that have been authorized by the company, just like other products. Unfortunately, you cannot and should not recharge the Apple Watch using the hidden port because doing so could harm the device.
Therefore, you can easily recharge your Apple Watch using portable chargers if you don’t have access to its specific charger. I’ve listed the top portable chargers you can get right now for your Apple Watch in this buying guide!
I sincerely hope you found this guide to be useful. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section. Check this guide for effective solutions if the battery on your Apple Watch is depleting too quickly and you want to fix it.