WatchOS 8.3 Update Causing 3rd Party Wireless Charger to Drain Battery

I thought I was going crazy until I found this thread. I am seeing this on my Bluebolt combo charger (Phone, Watch, AirPods), so it is not just Belkin gear. Something changed in 8.3, because this was working fine previously.

S5 updated to 8.3 a few days ago. Not charging on my UGoodVIP 3-way magsafe charger. This was working perfectly with 8.2. I reset the watch and restored from a earlier backup with WatchOS 7. This does not work, since the WatchOS is still 8.3. Is there any way to downgrade to 8.2?

While you are on Reddit do a search about Apple and Lightning cables and you will find as many posts regarding it. This isn’t a first. Apple also recently did an update on the MagSafe charger I think the only reason we aren’t seeing complaints about that is it is too soon for anyone to have counterfeited the chipset and stolen the codes. But I’m sure it will happen.

What is the use of having a chip in a cable if it was not to have royality? The charger and the device must regulate the voltage, cut the charge, etc.

if apple was really caring and responsible, they should have switched to USB-C, but nooooo, they will lose a niche of thousands of dollar.

and the charger we are talking about doesn’t cost 4$! Get out of your shell and see what else in the nature.

anyway, we are taking this conversation out of the main topic, which is not right. The topic talks about what is happening with the 8.3 and to explain to people that there is nothing wrong with the watch / stand, it is a software limitation by apple and we all hope that they will fix it back.

which you all the best with you MFI and apple forever thing

If there are mFi devices that aren’t working Apple will fix it. They won’t fix it for counterfeit chipsets and stolen codes. If they did then what point is there in being in the mFI program?

Contact Apple, posting here will get you nothing.

Absolutely an issue connected with OS8.3 and third party chargers!

I have multiple chargers due to the fact I travel for work, have a home office, two vehicles, and a workplace. I opted for a few third party chargers because they go missing in travels. Now, they’re all useless!

I hope this is something Apple plans on addressing very soon!

Yes and have been on chat about it.

it needs to be raised on this chat facility and apple support because we should not have to have this 8 3 problem.

Apple stopped putting chargers in the box this. Fine but why put a different plug on it. It should have stayed as usb A.

I am demanding a usb c charger sent for free now they have purposely put software on the Watch to prevent the use of our old series chargers both Watch and iPhone chargers

Yes that is what I found out the hard way. This adapter gets round the 8 3 update which stops anyone using usb A chargers of older series Watch chargers altogether.

The usb c to usb a adapter is not something customers have in the house.

The Apple chat line insist I should buy the dedicated usb c charger. That works to cut means this is the only thing that will charge it.

we should be able to use any 5v usb a jack though such as in the car. In the side of sofa and chairs etc.

they should bring out a fix update (3weeks gone now though)

put a charger with usb A in the box.

or Yes this adapter you happen to have and what borrowed to prove the problem.

Apple chat won’t listen to this.

apple support are still to this day 3 weeks trying to blame it all on my Watch

best of luck with this everybody

It is probably the Fast Charging on the Watch 7 that is causing the issue. I use an older Mophie 3-in-1 charger for mine, I bought a fried a newer model Mophie for Christmas and it works. My coffee friend uses a Griffin. Make sure while looking for one that it is mFi certified and if you want to fast charge on your 7 that is is also PD compatible.

I have been having some of the same issues since the update. This has been happening on a Series 7, 6, and 4. The only common denominator that I can see if the charger (Zeera Wireless 5 in 1) and the power brick (a generic 20 watt).

Does anyone happen to know if Apple is in the process of addressing this issue or if they acknowledge that there is an issue?

Honestly, it’s a mixed bag. After the fix, my watch charged on my husband’s cheap 3rd party stand, but not mine. I tossed it and got a new one on amazon that was marked “updated 2022” in the description, and it works great.

Then it is looking like a Belkin issue contact them. Would not be the first time with their gear.

Yep, 100% an 8.3 issue. I have the same problem on my charger pad too. Girlfriends watch on 8.2 is fine

You don't have to guess, items and are part of mFi have a logo that shows that. When I got my Mophie 3 in 1 it had the logo on the box and on paperwork inside.

Have you ever restarted the watch?

With the original charger, the charge works fine for me.