How to Charge Apple Watch: Full Guide to Methods, Tips & Top Chargers

Got yourself an Apple Watch? Great choice! It comes with a dedicated concave magnetic puck in the box, so getting started is super easy. But that’s not your only option when it comes to keeping your watch charged.

Think a sleek charging dock for your nightstand, a 3-in-1 wireless station for your whole Apple trio, or a portable battery pack when you’re on the move. In this guide, we’ll show you how to charge Apple Watch using different methods—and which chargers are worth your money.

Alt: Anker Apple Watch wireless charger

How to Charge Your Apple Watch?

Your Apple Watch is built for about 18 hours of mixed use, so when that screen dims and you see a red lightning bolt, it’s time to plug in.

Want to check exactly how much juice is left? Press the side button once (or swipe up from the bottom edge on older watchOS versions) to open Control Center and tap the percentage to see a larger ring and a Low Power Mode toggle.

Now, when you wonder “how to charge my Apple Watch?” you’ve got four straightforward options—each with its own perks depending on where you are and what else you’re charging. Let’s break them down.

1. Use the Magnetic Cable in the Box

The simplest route is to use the Magnetic Charging Cable that came in the box.

There are two types of cables:

• USB-C Magnetic Fast-Charging Cable(comes with Series 7 and later) — enables 0-to-80 % in about 45 minutes when paired with any USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) and delivers 5W or higher.
• USB-A Magnetic Charging Cable(bundled with older models or sold separately) — charges all watches at the standard rate, reaching 80 % in about an hour.

Alt: Apple Watch USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable

Here’s how to charge your Watch:

1. Plug in the cable:Connect the USB-C or USB-A end to a compatible power source—like a wall adapter, your computer (PC or Mac), or a power bank.
2. Snap the puck onto the watch: Flip the watch so the crystal back faces the concave white (or silver) puck; the magnets auto-align.
3. Look for the green bolt: A green lightning icon appears within a few seconds, confirming the watch is charging.
4. Activate Nightstand Mode: Lay it on its side if you’d like Nightstand Mode to turn the display into a mini alarm clock.

2. Use Apple First-Party Docks (Now Discontinued)

Apple produced two tidy, cable-free accessories:

• Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock— a round pad that lets the watch lie flat or tilt up.
• MagSafe Duo Charger— a fold-up mat that powers an iPhone on one side and the watch on the other.

Alt: Apple MagSafe Duo Charger

Both were officially discontinued, which is why you won’t see them on Apple’s site. You can still track down new-old-stock units at some electronics retailers or in-store shelves (often at a great price), but inventory is limited.

Note that MagSafe Duo tops up newer watch models at the older, slower rate, so plan a little extra time if you use one.

3. Use Certified Multi-Device Wireless Charging Stations

If you like a single hub for your watch, iPhone, and AirPods, look for Made-for-Apple Watch (MFW)-certified wireless charging stations. They come in either a pad or stand design with a dedicated magnetic puck, and can support fast charging for Series 7 and newer

Because they’re certified, you’ll get the same safety features (temperature and voltage monitoring) you’d expect from Apple gear, plus a cleaner desk or bedside setup.

Alt: Anker 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station

4. Use Portable Power Banks with Built-in Watch Pucks

For travel days or long hikes, a battery pack with an integrated Apple Watch charger lets you leave wall bricks and the Magnetic Cable at home. Choose a model that:

• Lists Made for Apple Watch certification.
• Provides at least 5W outputon the watch puck.

Alt: Anker Apple Watch power bank

Recommended Wireless Chargers for Apple Watch

These days, there’s no shortage of wireless magnetic chargers, but if you want one that’s certified for fast charging your Apple Watch, the options narrow quickly. Here are three top picks from Anker that not only deliver that certified speed but also provide true wireless convenience for your iPhone and AirPods:

Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1)

At just 6.9 oz and roughly the footprint of a card deck when folded, the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3-in-1) disappears into a jacket pocket yet pops open to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once.

Its Qi2-certified module delivers the full 15W magnetic output for iPhone, while a dedicated puck takes an Apple Watch Series 9 from empty to 47% in 30 minutes, thanks to official MFW fast-charge hardware.

A hinged phone shelf lets you tilt between portrait and landscape for FaceTime or StandBy, and the aluminum core pulls heat away, so speeds stay consistent. Anker’s ActiveShield firmware also runs more than three million temperature checks per day to keep everything cool and safe.

Alt: Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (Foldable 3‑in‑1)

What’s good:

• Folds flat to 89 × 60 × 25 mm—ideal for a tech pouch.
• Qi2 magnets snap any MagSafe-compatible iPhone into perfect 15W alignment.
• Watch puck is Apple-certified for 47% in 30 min on Series 7 and later (fast charge).
• Aluminum and split-deck design vent heat for steadier speeds.
• ActiveShield + MultiProtect handle foreign-object, over-voltage, and thermal safety.

Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe

Picture a small, glossy cube that unfolds like origami: that’s the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe. Flip the lid and you get a 15W Apple-certified MagSafe pad for iPhone, a pop-out watch puck that can take Apple Watch to 100% in roughly 1 hour 10 minutes, and a recess for AirPods.

Because the phone tray tilts up to 60°, you can keep an eye on notifications in either orientation while you work. When you’re done, the whole thing collapses back into a palm-sized block that vanishes in a carry-on.

Alt: Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe

What’s good:

• Genuine MagSafe coils and magnets give iPhone the full 15W.
• Officially-certified fast-charging Watch puck, reaching a full charge in ≈70 minutes.
• Hinged face props to 60° for StandBy or movie viewing, then folds flat.
• Cube shape protects the chargers in transit; no loose pucks or cables.

Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Stand)

If you’d rather keep a charger parked on the desk, the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Stand) swaps portability for stability and style. Its “tree-like” aluminum column suspends a Qi2-certified phone pad up top, an MFW watch puck on the branch, and a slip-proof dish for earbuds at the base—turning messy cables into one tidy sculpture.

The included 40W USB-C PD adapter feeds enough headroom for a constant 15W to iPhone plus 5W to Apple Watch, which hits 48 % in 30 minutes. Because the chassis is aluminum, heat sinks quickly, and ActiveShield again polices thermal spikes with millions of daily checks. At 450g, it feels anchored, so you can pop the phone off with one hand.

Alt: Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Stand)

What’s good:

• Desk-friendly “tree” design keeps screens visible and cables hidden.
• Ships with a 40W wall brick—no need to buy a separate adapter.
• Qi2 certification ensures 15W magnetic charging for current and future phones.
• Officially-certified Apple Watch fast‑charge; Watch hits nearly half charge in half an hour.
• ActiveShield + MultiProtect handle temperature, voltage, and foreign-object safety 24/7.

Conclusion

Charging your Apple Watch isn’t complicated—but doing it smartly makes a difference. Whether you stick with the magnetic cable that came in the box or go for a sleek wireless charging stand that handles your iPhone and AirPods too, it’s really about what fits your routine. Now that you know how to charge Apple Watch and what gear plays nicest with it, you’re set to keep your watch powered—and your setup looking clean.

FAQs

Can you charge an Apple Watch with an iPhone charger?

You can’t charge your Apple Watch directly with an iPhone charger using a Lightning or USB-C cable—it needs its own magnetic charging puck. That said, you can plug the Apple Watch’s magnetic charging cable (USB-C for newer models, USB-A for older ones) into any Apple or third-party USB power adapter. And if you’ve got an iPhone 15 or newer, you can even use reverse charging in a pinch—just connect the USB-C charging puck to your phone’s port.

What is the secret port on the Apple Watch?

Early Apple Watch models (Series 0 through 6) hide a six-pin “diagnostic” port inside one of the band slots. It lets Apple technicians run hardware tests, restore firmware, or transfer data during repairs, but it was never meant for everyday users, and accessory makers were blocked from tapping it for faster charging. Starting with Series 7, Apple officially removed the “secret port.”

What can I plug my Apple Watch charger into?

You can plug your Apple Watch magnetic charging puck into just about any USB-C or USB-A power source. That includes Apple’s USB wall adapters, any third-party adapter, a Mac or PC port, a powered USB hub, a car charger, or a power bank. Fast charging (for Series 7 and later) works best with a 5W or higher USB-C Power Delivery adapter. When no outlet is handy, you can also draw power from an iPhone 15/16 via a USB-C cable.

How do I charge my Apple Watch without the charger?

You can’t charge your Apple Watch without a magnetic puck designed for it. The watch doesn’t work with regular Qi wireless charging pads or magnetic phone chargers. If you’ve lost your original magnetic charging cable, your best options are to buy a replacement or use a multi-device wireless charging station that includes a certified Apple Watch puck, like those from Anker.