With Optimized Charging, your Apple Watch learns your daily charging habits to extend your battery life. Some Apple Watch models offer additional battery charging optimizations with Optimized Charging Limit.
Initially, this is only available on the Apple Watch Ultra, but since watchOS 10, multiple models support this special feature. This allows the battery to be optimally used and charged intelligently, extending its lifespan.
What is optimized charging?
When Optimized Charging is enabled, Apple Watch learns the user’s routine, such as when they typically wear and charge their watch. It then adjusts its charging behavior to use the battery as efficiently as possible.
One of the most important aspects of optimized charging is that it ensures that the Apple Watch is not constantly charged at 100% and held there. Instead, it slows the charging to keep the battery charge around 80% until it approaches the time when the user would normally wear their watch. Just before the user wants to wear their watch, the charge level will automatically increase to 100%.
This process reduces the amount of time the battery is held at a high level, which can lead to long-term degradation of battery capacity. Learn how to enable or disable optimized charging on your Apple Watch in the featured article below.
Optimized Apple Watch charging limit
In addition to Optimized Charging, supported Apple Watch models also offer Optimized Charging Limit. This feature is available on Apple Watch Ultra with watchOS 9 or later and Apple Watch SE, Series 6, or later with at least watchOS 10.
‘Optimized Charging Limit’ learns from your daily usage to determine when to charge to an optimized limit and when to allow a full charge.
In practice, this means that on days when you are not very active, the Apple Watch will not fully charge to 100%, but perhaps only to 75%. Using machine learning, watchOS determines the charging processes to best match your daily activities. This reduces the strain on the battery and makes it last longer. ‘Optimized Charge Limit’ is enabled by default when you set up your Apple Watch.
Recognize charging limit
When Optimized Charging Limit is enabled, an open charging ring will appear when you connect your Apple Watch to the charger. You can still decide to fully charge your Apple Watch, for example if you have a day out planned.
- Make sure the Apple Watch is connected to the charger
- Tap the screen to wake up the Watch
- Then tap the circle with the green or yellow charging symbol
- Tap ‘Fully charge now’.
Disable optimized charging limit
- Open the Settings app on your Watch.
- Scroll down and then tap ‘Battery’.
- Tap ‘Battery Health’.
- Disable ‘Optimized Charging Limit’
- Select ‘Turn off until tomorrow’ or ‘Turn off’
Not always active
Optimized Charging and Charging Limit is designed to only activate in the locations where you spend the most time, such as at home and at work. It won’t work when your usage habits are more variable, such as when you’re traveling.