A growing number of Apple Watch owners are reporting significantly reduced battery life following the installation of watchOS 10.4, with some devices draining power twice as fast as normal. The issue appears to affect multiple Apple Watch models, sparking frustration among users who typically rely on their devices for all-day wear.
Tech forums and social media platforms have seen a surge in complaints this week, with many users noting their watches now require midday charging despite previously lasting a full day. “My Series 8 used to have 40% left at bedtime – now it’s dead by 6 PM,” wrote one Reddit user in a thread with over 800 upvotes.
Apple has yet to officially acknowledge the problem, but support representatives have reportedly advised affected customers to restart their devices or perform a factory reset. Some users claim these temporary fixes only provide minor improvements before battery drain returns.
The timing proves particularly problematic for health-conscious users who rely on overnight sleep tracking. “I’ve had to stop using sleep features because my watch won’t make it through the night anymore,” complained a Series 7 owner on Apple’s support forums.
Industry analysts suggest the battery issues may stem from background processes in the latest update. “When Apple introduces new health tracking features or security updates, we often see temporary battery impacts,” noted tech analyst Sarah Chen. “The question is whether this is a software bug or an intentional trade-off for new functionality.”
While waiting for an official patch, users are reviving older battery-saving techniques:
- Disabling always-on display
- Turning off background app refresh
- Reducing notifications
- Using Low Power Mode during non-critical hours
Apple typically addresses widespread battery complaints through subsequent updates. The company’s last major battery-related patch arrived just three weeks after watchOS 9.6 caused similar issues in 2023.
For now, affected users are advised to keep their chargers handy. Those experiencing severe drain may contact Apple Support for potential diagnostics or service options, especially if their devices remain under warranty. Have you noticed battery changes after updating? Share your experience with our tech team.
