dangermen

Q: Apple Watch Battery Drain While Driving

I will occassionally have to drive long distances for work.  If I end up taking a 3 hour drive, I will have to put my Apple Watch in airplane mode otherwise the battery will go from 100% down to 50%.  It is paired with an iPhone 6 running the latest OS on both.  If I stick it in airplane mode, my battery does just fine.

 

In terms of my drive, most of the time I am well within 2-3 bars of Verizon LTE.

 

Any thoughts?

Posted on Jul 26, 2016 11:50 AM

Close

Q: Apple Watch Battery Drain While Driving

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Jul 26, 2016 11:54 AM in response to dangermen
    Level 7 (30,158 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 26, 2016 11:54 AM in response to dangermen

    Hi

     

    For the best performance from your devices, keep both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permanently enabled on your iPhone.

  • by Jonathan UK,

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Jul 26, 2016 11:55 AM in response to dangermen
    Level 7 (30,158 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 26, 2016 11:55 AM in response to dangermen

    If you have not yet done so, it may also help to update your iPhone and Apple Watch to the latest software, starting with your iPhone:

     

     

    It may also / otherwise help to close all open apps on your iPhone and then restart both your iPhone and your watch:

     

    • On your iPhone: double-click the Home button, then swipe up on each app preview to close it;
    • Turn both devices off together, then restart your iPhone first;
      • To turn your watch off: press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider; drag it to turn off.
      • To turn it back on: press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
  • by Jonathan UK,Apple recommended

    Jonathan UK Jonathan UK Jul 26, 2016 12:01 PM in response to dangermen
    Level 7 (30,158 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 26, 2016 12:01 PM in response to dangermen

    Battery life varies depending on use and other factors.

     

    In tests, for example, Apple achieved 18 hours of battery life with the following usage: 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use and a 30-minute workout with music playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth. Other examples of battery life under different usage are available here:

     

    http://www.apple.com/watch/battery.html

     

    If your watch is experiencing shorter battery life than Apple's examples suggest you should expect - and the previous suggestions have not helped - also try the following steps, which have helped to resolve battery life issues for some users:

     

     

    • If you have ever previously used the Workout app and/or any third-party fitness tracking apps (such as Strava) to record workouts on your watch, check on your watch to see whether there is presently a paused activity within any of those apps. If there is, end that activity from within that app on your watch (not on your iPhone).

     

    • Under earlier software versions, some users reported experiencing battery life issues in connection with using corporate profiles and/or Exchange Calendars. If you are using an Exchange Calendar, one or more of these steps may help:
      • Archive your Exchange Calendar for all items before today.
      • Remove / delete all old inbox messages relating to calendar invites (accept and decline notifications).
      • Create a rule in your Outlook Mail account that moves all future accept and decline replies, immediately upon receipt, into a separate mail folder that does not sync with your iPhone and Apple Watch.
      • Check your Exchange Calendar for errors.

     

    • Finally, it may help to remove all third-party apps from your watch and then monitor battery performance after adding them back, one at a time. The same applies in respect of watch face complications.

     

    Having tried the previous steps, if your watch continues to experience significantly shorter battery life than Apple's examples suggest you should expect, contact Apple Support (mail-in service may be available) or make a Genius Bar reservation with a view to having your watch checked, if recommended by Apple (under warranty, if eligible):

     

     

    To check your warranty status (the serial number is on the back of your watch):

     

     

    More information:

    http://www.apple.com/watch/battery.html