A new watchOS update has been released by Apple on Monday that aims to prevent an issue that causes the Watch Series 5 and Watch Series SE to stop charging.
According to a document from Apple, the charging issue only affects “a very small number” of Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch SE units running watchOS 7.2 or 7.3. The watch will stop charging after it enters Power Reserve or in simpler terms, low-power mode. The latest watchOS 7.3.1 update is said to prevent this from happening.
First, identify which Apple Watch model you have. To see which watchOS version it’s running on, check the Settings app on your Apple Watch or open the Watch app on your iPhone. Tap General > About, then look for the version number.
If the update is not the answer to your watch’s charging problem, then Apple suggests you try placing your watch on your charger and wait for at least 30 minutes. If it is still not charging, then Apple recommends reaching out to Apple Support so that it can arrange a mail-in repair for you, free of charge. Take note that Apple will still have to examine your watch to determine whether it is eligible for the free repair.
If you own either the Apple Watch Series 5 or the Apple Watch SE but don’t seem to have the charging problem, it is wise that you update it as soon as you can. It is always a good idea to keep your devices updated anyway, mainly to ensure you are protected by the latest security measures and of course, for bug fixes such as this one.
Thanks for the information. Do you know if it is only for charging problems? My HR monitor on the Apple Watch do not work for me anymore.