AWU3 is slow charging now, how do I get it back?

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Level 1

39 points

AWU3 is slow charging now, how do I get it back?

What happened to the fast charge on AWU3 and how do I get it back?

When I first bought my AWU3 2 months ago, I was amazed at how fast it would charge. Even more impressed with how long it would hold that charge but that is not the topic of this question.

So for the first month or so, I would put the watch on the charger even if I had 40% on it just because I wanted to keep a full charge at the beginning of the day. At that time, it would take typically no more than 30 minutes to reach full charge no matter how low it was when I put it on the charger.

Then about 3 weeks ago, I noticed sometimes the charging process would take a lot longer. then this started happening more and more until now it takes anywhere from 2-3 hours to reach full charge.

I am using a 3rd party charger (Iphone+Airpod+watch) but only the watch is on the charger when I do this. I tried the silver Apple provided charging puck but that did not make a difference.

Someone (on reddit) mention that this was a "feature" of AWU3 which I took to mean it was the optimized charge in action. I made sure that the Optimize charge option was turned off on the watch but this did not make a difference.

My daily routine is as follows:

wake up

put the watch on the charger

Wait until full charge

put on the watch and go about my daily business.

How can I get it back to the fast charge I had when I first bought the watch?

The watch is running watchOS 26.1

Apple Watch Ultra 3, watchOS 26

Posted on Nov 16, 2025 6:03 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

cymorrow Author

Level 1

39 points

Nov 23, 2025 10:43 AM in response to Steve Devine

I ended up taking my watch to the Apple Store to see if they can find anything wrong. The watch hardware was working but they had 2 suggestions that might help. Since it was not the hardware, they recommended unpairing and re-pairing as a NEW watch. (UGH!)

Went home and did as they suggested and this morning the watch is charging super fast, just like when it was new. But what a pain, I still don't have everything back but at least it is charging.

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Answer 2

cymorrow Author

Level 1

39 points

Nov 28, 2025 4:09 PM in response to scottfromnorthbridge

The solution recommended by Apple support was to unpair and re-pair as a new Apple Watch. A bit bothersome but it has worked (so far) for me.

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Answer 3

Nov 29, 2025 6:40 PM in response to scottfromnorthbridge

I unpaired the watch and repaired it. Everything seems to be fine now.

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Answer 4

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,025 points

Nov 17, 2025 12:06 AM in response to cymorrow

Not every 3rd party charing unit supports fast charging the newest Ultra models, especially if the watch is not the only device being charged.

You should use at least the 20W Apple power adapter and the USB charging cable which came with the watch, to get the best charging.

The Optimised Charging Limit will learn your charging habits and adapt, so that your watch will be fully charged if you need it. But this learning process may take a while and only works at certain locations.

...

copied from: About Optimized Battery Charging on your Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 5

Ingo2711

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80,025 points

Dec 4, 2025 8:06 AM in response to Steve Devine

@Steve Devine

This is true, but to make sure that they are aware of such issues, effected users have to use the Feedback link, as this is the only way to reach Apple Techs. Apple does not follow these user to user communities.

Feedback - Apple Watch - Apple

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Answer 6

cymorrow Author

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39 points

Nov 17, 2025 1:49 AM in response to Ingo2711

My 3rd party charger did support fast charging for over 2 months as I explained in my original post. I use a 45W rated charger brick with the 3rd party charger as well as the Apple supplied aluminum puck. So I don't think this is the problem.

I am intrigued with your information on the location services and optimized charging. I looked through the Location settings as you described and it is ON. It says there are 91 records. I could not turn it off but I will clear the history and see if this changes the charging status. Not sure if Optimized Charging should be on or off but for now I have it turned off. Thanks for this information.

Will update if this restores the fast charging.

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Answer 7

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,025 points

Nov 17, 2025 2:21 AM in response to cymorrow

My Ultra 2 always charges to 100%, although Optimised Charging and Charging Limit is enabled. But I'm only charging my watch if the Battery Life is under 20%, or for a longer workout, if it is near 30%.

When I'm on holidays, I'm using a similar 3rd party charging device, which is supporting fast charging for my Ultra.

But I make sure to charge only the watch, and no other additional devices at the same time.

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Answer 8

cymorrow Author

Level 1

39 points

Nov 18, 2025 1:15 PM in response to Ingo2711

On the watch, the battery charge is indicating "slow charger" in yellow.

So this morning I put the watch on the Apple aluminum puck with a 20w Apple power adapter. But it is still "slow charge." I made sure it is set to charge to full now.

Is this a problem that the watch is still on slow charge?

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Answer 9

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,025 points

Nov 19, 2025 12:46 AM in response to cymorrow

This is a notification, that your watch could charge faster, if you us the right accessory.

It is not an indication, that your watch is charging slow at the moment, after changing the charging accessory to the recommended equipment.

...

copied from: About Apple Watch charge speeds - Apple Support

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Answer 10

Nov 27, 2025 7:04 PM in response to Steve Devine

Same problem. AWU3 was charging impressively fast when I first got it. A few days ago, I noticed that charging was taking a long time. It is now very, very slow. This happened with the update to 26.1.

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Answer 11

Nov 23, 2025 4:16 AM in response to cymorrow

I have same problem and it could be a dealbreaker in my continuing with Ultra 3. The watch is not indicating that I am using a slow charger. The slow charging began with the update to 26.1

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Answer 12

Ingo2711

Level 10

80,025 points

Nov 23, 2025 11:00 AM in response to cymorrow

Thank you for reporting back your findings, this will also help other users, having similar issues.

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Answer 13

Dec 4, 2025 7:16 AM in response to cymorrow

I suggest that Apple needs to do the legwork and issue a firmware fix. They broke it, they should fix it.

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