Apple has been inundated with reports of battery life problems from Apple Watch users who updated to WatchOS 10.1 on October 25. Acknowledging these issues, the tech giant is actively developing a fix to address battery drain concerns. The remedy is expected to be included in a forthcoming watchOS 10 software update, designed to resolve the battery issues that users have reported on platforms such as Reddit and Apple’s support page.
An internal memo shared with Apple Authorized Service Providers confirmed that the problem with the Apple Watch will be resolved in the upcoming watchOS update. While the memo does not provide specific details about the issue’s scope or the release date of the update, reports suggest that Apple is preparing an iOS 17.1.1 update for the iPhone and a WatchOS update likely to contain the battery drain issue fix.
The battery drain problem appears to be widespread, affecting various users, including owners of the latest models like the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, as well as older models like the Apple Watch Series 4. Users have reported significant and rapid battery depletion after updating to watchOS 10.1.
Frustration has mounted among affected users, with one Apple Watch owner sharing on Apple Support Forums, “My one-week-old watch was fine until I let it update to 10.1 last night. It immediately got super hot, and the battery drained from 98 percent to 20 percent in about 30 minutes. I can’t get it to charge because it stays overheated. I’ve rebooted, reset to the factory, disabled a ton of features, and nothing helps. It won’t charge beyond 30 percent.”
Another user mentioned, “Series 7 Watch. After the 10.1 update, my battery only lasts a few hours. I can literally watch the percentage go down. I’ve rebooted the watch, shut off background app refresh after being advised by a friend. Still drains ridiculously fast.”
Apple is actively addressing the concerns of users who have encountered battery life issues with their Apple Watches, reassuring them that a solution will be delivered in the form of an upcoming watchOS update.