Had a problem with battery drain when updating to second last version which was fixed in version 9.3. After updating to version 9.3.1 yesterday, the drain returned. Anyone with the same experience?
Apple Watch Series 7
Ensure iphone is in iOS16.3.1
Always update the iphone first, the updates come out in pairs.
Watch uses a LOT of battery
Force restart your watch i.e. press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds, then release both buttons when you see the Apple logo.
Then Force Restart the paired iphone Force restart iPhone – Apple Support (UK)
Then make sure to turn off background app refresh and check walkie talkie is not accidentally turned on.
Try it for a couple of days especially if you sync photos to your Watch.
Then if still no better you can check for damaged or self-discharging battery...
How to check your Apple Watch battery fo… - Apple Community
If it’s OK
Unpair the watch and then pair it again.
Unpair and erase your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)
Set up your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)
If it still discharges unpair it and pair it again without restoring the backup.
Check that the iPhone is not using any security apps or VPN that can affect apps on the Watch. You don't need any of them and they can be incompatible with iOS16 on the phone.
see also
Apple Watch - Battery - Apple (UK)
Batteries - Maximising Performance - Apple (UK)
Serious issue with your watch, yes.
If none of the advice here worked then contact Apple Support
Before this update I usually had a day and a half worth of battery on average. After I updated to 9.3.1 three days ago, the battery lasts less than 24 hrs.
(Series 7)I did that also, and the battery issue seemed to improve but only for the first 24-48 hrs. Now it's back to accelerated battery drain as before hard reset/unpairing/restoring
You certainly did not test for self-discharge with them because it is not one of their tests. What else didn't you do?
And this is this time, not last time.
If you don't want to go through the list again now there is no point is coming here for help.
I am very thankful for your help and insights.
No, you’re right. I did not go through all the steps w support. I tried some steps on my own (unpairing, resetting etc). I tried the hard reboot today. Although it is too soon to tell if that was successful or not, it looks somewhat promising…
If needed I’ll go through the steps again.
I can confirm that problem. Since the update to os 9.3.1 the battery of my watch has a massive power drain. Also charging stops at about 80 %. Hope there is an os 9.3.2 (or 9.3.1.1) soon to fix this problem.
Me too, and how is about plane mode in Your Watch , after activation is still connected to phone or no? Mine is still connected
In addition, charging takes longer time as well.
me too. I didn’t use the watch full day, but when I checked in the evening it decreased to 55% and next day 10%.
it’s a serious issue!
I can barely make it through the day on a single charge.
the battery drain is horrible. I even switched off heart rate monitoring, noise measurement n etc, nothing seems to help with this bat drain issue :(
Drain is significant. Before the update charge would be at 45% at the end of the day. Now it's at 10-14%.
Why are you so angry and confrontational? Relax. Go outside and get some fresh air.
Leaving your watch on the charger 24/7 would KILL the battery. The two worst states for batteries are 100% or 0%.
Probably true, but that doesn’t address the issue of significantly diminished battery life after the 9.3.1 update.
Battery drain WatchOS 9.3.1
