Easy Ways to Charge Your Apple Watch Without an Adapter
Your Apple Watch is only as useful as its charge, but what happens if you forget the adapter or need a backup option? Fortunately, you don’t need the official charger to keep it powered.
There are multiple ways to recharge on the go, from wireless power banks to solar chargers and even MagSafe-enabled iPhones.
Here’s a breakdown of practical, reliable alternatives for keeping your watch charged while travelling, commuting, or heading off-grid.
8 Ways to Charge an Apple Watch Without a Charger
1. Using a Power Bank with Wireless Charging
While it used to be that you couldn’t charge an Apple Watch with a wireless power bank because it needed a special magnetic puck that worked with the induction coil that creates wireless charging, several are now available that do.
They’re designed with a magnetic charging area that the watch can attach to. If you are unsure, look for the Apple Watch icon or an area on the device labeled to place the watch.
2. Using a USB-C Adapter with Wireless Charging Capability
Using a USB-C adapter, you will be able to connect to any charger thanks to the universal compatibility of USB-C. You can then plug it into your wireless charger, a power bank, portable power station, or a wall adapter plug.
Thanks to its USB-C inputs, you can use it with a wireless power bank like the EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank (10,000mAh). It’s about the size of a phone but offers ultra-fast charging for a wide range of devices, including your watch, with your USB-C adapter.
3. Using an iPhone
Some iPhones, particularly models with MagSafe support built into them, can wirelessly charge most Apple devices, including the watches. You just place the back of your watch against the back of the iPhone. Be sure that both devices are correctly aligned, and be patient; it may take longer to charge than using a dedicated charger.
4. Connect the Apple Watch Charging Cable to A Power Station
Another convenient way for travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and other people who are always on the go is to use a charging cable with a portable power station. As long as your magnetic charging cable offers a USB-A or USB-C plug, modern power stations will work very well.
The EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus is compact and lightweight enough to fit in a backpack, yet it packs enough power to charge your watch, laptop, iPad, and even run small household appliances. For outdoor enthusiasts who go off-grid, you can bring along a portable solar panel and recharge it, allowing you to stay off-grid indefinitely and still keep all your devices powered up.
5. Battery Case
The watch's battery case is also designed to protect your Apple Watch from damage while on the go and give it some additional battery life without needing to be charged.
6. Public Charging Stations
Many public places like airports, coffee shops, libraries, and others now have public charging stations allowing you to charge multiple types of devices, including those that are compatible with your Apple watch.
Note, however, that there are security risks at public charging stations that you should be aware of. Juice jacking is where hackers access public charging stations, install malicious software on your device, or extract your personal data through a compromised charging port. Stay clear of these if security is a concern for you.
7. Solar Chargers
Solar chargers, like solar generators, are a sustainable way to charge electronic devices. They use sunlight to create DC electricity, which can then be used to charge a wide range of devices, including Apple Watches.
As with other charging devices, they come in a wide variety of sizes and functionality, so be sure to check that you can plug your magnetic charging cable into it before you go off-grid with it. Some have only very limited direct charging options.
8. Qi-Compatible Wireless Chargers
Qi-compatible chargers are simply a nearly universal type of wireless charger. They also used to not work with Apple Watches. However, some modern Qi or Qi2-certified wireless chargers do, including working with Apple’s optimized battery charging. They’re more affordable than Apple’s official magnetic charger, and many customers use these instead.
Just like your official charger, you simply place the watch on the charging pad for a versatile charging solution. If you are not sure if the brand you are looking at is compatible, look for the Apple Watch symbol, or it will state in the brand’s description and specs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There Any Way to Charge an Apple Watch Without a Charger?
You can’t charge it without some form of magnetic charging, but there are plenty of options outside of the official Apple-branded products. Look for compatible third-party chargers with a magnetic charging disc built in. You can also use an iPhone that has MagSafe, though it may be slower.
What Can I Use Instead of an Apple Watch Charger?
Instead of an Apple Watch charger, you can use power banks with built-in Apple compatibility chargers or any power device with a USB-C port that you can plug a magnetic charging cable into. iPhones with MagSafe also offer charging abilities, though it may be slower than other methods.
How Do I Charge My Apple Watch if I Forgot My Charger?
If you forgot your charger, you can use an iPhone with MagSafe, a wireless charging station, or a compatible magnetic charging cable with USB-C, which you can plug into any charging device that offers USB-C output.
Final Thoughts
While the Apple Watch always requires some form of magnetic charging, you’re not limited to Apple’s adapter. Wireless power banks, MagSafe iPhones, Qi-compatible chargers, and portable power stations offer flexible ways to power your watch. The right option depends on where you’ll be and how much versatility you need.
For everyday use, the EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank (10,000mAh) is the most convenient pick. It’s compact, fast, and always ready to go.