Apple Cautions Against Counterfeit Watch Chargers: Learn How To Authenticate Their Genuineness

Apple Watch users, be cautious of counterfeit chargers as they have the potential to harm your device or reduce its battery lifespan.

If you own an Apple Watch, you might want to pay attention to the charger you use to juice it up. Apple has issued a new support document that cautions users against using non-certified or counterfeit chargers, which could damage your device or shorten its battery life.

The document, published Friday, states that Apple Watch users should only charge their devices with chargers that are either made by Apple or have the Made for iPhone (MFi) certification and the Made for Apple Watch badge. These chargers have been tested and verified by Apple to meet its safety and performance standards.

“If you use a counterfeit or uncertified charger, you could experience slow charging, repeated chimes, and reduced battery lifespan,” reads the document. The document also shows how to identify a genuine Apple Watch charger by looking at the images, text, and regulatory markings on the cable.

“Chargers not manufactured by Apple may exhibit variations in colors, text, or other designs on the charging connector’s surface,” notes the support document.

One way to confirm that your Apple Watch charger is genuine is by navigating to the USB details when connected to a Mac. To do this, connect the Apple Watch to the Mac and go to System Settings > General > About > System Report. Under USB, you’ll be able to view the Apple Watch charger details. A genuine unit will list “Apple Inc.” as the manufacturer.

Apple also advises users to check for the Made for Watch label or search for the MFi accessories database on its website to confirm if a third-party charger is certified by Apple. This way, users can avoid buying or using fake chargers that could harm their Apple Watch or compromise its functionality.