Apple offering free repairs for some Apple Watch owners facing charging issue

By Trevor Mogg Published February 16, 2021

Some Apple Watch owners have been having trouble charging their device after it enters the battery-saving Power Reserve mode, and now Apple is offering a free repair in particular cases.

According to a recently posted document on Apple’s support pages, the issue affects “a very small number of customers” with a Watch Series 5 or SE device running watchOS 7.2 or 7.3.

If you have either of these models, you should first — if possible — update your Apple Watch’s software to watchOS 7.3.1, which should prevent the issue from occurring with Series 5 and SE devices that haven’t already experienced it.

To find out if your Apple Watch is affected by this issue, the company tells you to place your smartwatch on the charger that you normally use and then wait for at least half an hour.

If your Apple Watch fails to begin charging, you should contact Apple Support to set up a mail-in repair free of charge. The tech company notes that your Apple smartwatch will be examined prior to service to confirm that it is eligible for a free repair.

To find out which version of watchOS your Apple Watch is running, open the Watch app on your iPhone or the Settings app on your Apple Watch. Tap General > About, and then look for the version number. If you’re not sure which Apple Watch model you have, hit this link to find out how to identify it.

Apple released the Apple Watch Series 5 in September 2019, discontinuing it a year later with the arrival of the $399 Series 6 device. The more basic but better-priced $279 Apple Watch SE, described in Digital Trends’ review as “the best Apple Watch for most people,” launched in 2020.

Check out our article on the most common Apple Watch problems and how to fix them.

For information on the best smartwatches available across all makers, take a look at Digital Trends’ pick of the best devices for 2021.

Topics

Contributing Editor

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

Mobile

What you can (and can’t) do on your Apple Watch without your iPhone

Apple Watch Series 7 in a pocket.

The Apple Watch has seen enormous success. In fact, it’s the most popular item in Apple’s quickly expanding Wearables, Home, and Accessories division, which also includes Apple AirPods.

Since the Apple Watch was released in 2015, the smartwatch has gone through a number of makeovers and gained several new features. People love the Apple Watch for its durability, water resistance, and fitness-tracking abilities. Early versions of the watch could measure your activity levels, heart rate, and several other health metrics. Later versions even come with tools like ECGs (electrocardiograms) that can tell you when your heartbeat is abnormal and oximeters that can measure your blood oxygen levels.

Mobile

How to build a fun and varied Apple Watch band collection

A collection of Apple Watch bands.

You could just buy an Apple Watch and only ever use the band that comes with it, but to ignore the amazingly varied world of bands, straps, and bracelets available would mean missing out on the chance to truly make it your own. Building a small collection of bands means your Apple Watch never looks out of place with what you’re wearing or the activity you’re engaged in, and it keeps things fresh and interesting.

If you’re new to the Apple Watch and aren’t sure where to start, I’ve spent a little time building a core collection of bands that I find are suitable for all situations. If you do the same, get ready to change the band on your Apple Watch on a very regular basis. I assure you it's worth it.
A band apart
What’s wrong with the basic Apple Sport Band or Sport Loop that comes with most Apple Watch models? Absolutely nothing, and one of these bands is so good it makes it on to my essentials list. It’s limiting yourself just to this one band that I’m suggesting you avoid. Changing the band on the Apple Watch isn’t time-intensive, there’s no risk of losing bits when you take it apart, you don’t need any special tools, and the end result is a completely different look and feel on your wrist.

Wearables

Apple Watch SE 2: What we want to see from the next budget Apple watch

should buy the apple watch series 6 or se and apps

When Apple first announced the Apple Watch SE alongside the Watch Series 6 in 2020, I was intrigued. After all, it was a cheaper version of the latest smartwatch with the right amount of hits and misses. I bought the Watch SE for myself earlier this year, and while it is an overall champ, there are a few things that Apple can work on and improve with the Watch SE 2, which is expected to be announced in 2022. Here are five things we would like to see from the Apple Watch SE 2.
1. A bigger display
Apple Watch Series 7 (left) and Series 6 (right) Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The big selling point of the original Apple Watch SE was that it looked exactly like the Watch Series 6. Users could get the latest hardware with some limited software features like an always-on display.