Why Doesn’t My Apple Watch Charge in My Tesla?

Teslas don’t just simplify transportation, they simplify life. So, when you got your first Tesla, your adrenaline was soaring through the roof.

Among everything else, you were excited to check out the wireless phone charger. You simply place your iPhone on the wireless charging pad and boom! It charges. No cables needed.

So Why The Sad Face?

You were so sure and proud of your Tesla’s wireless charger, but when you tried charging your Apple watch the same way, it just won’t.

That’s because, as of 2023, you can only charge your Apple Watch with Apple’s magnetic puck charger.

This means, to charge your Apple Watch in your Tesla, you need to plug it into the car’s USB Port. But when you try doing that, the watch still won’t charge. What’s going on?

The same magnetic puck charger that worked totally fine at home wouldn’t charge your Apple Watch in your Tesla!

Now what? Should you take your car to the Tesla service center? Absolutely no.

What’s Actually Causing The Problem?

We learned about this issue through a Twitter post by a certain Sarah B

So, we knew we had to do something about it.

On researching, we found out that there are two USB standards trying to communicate here - USB and USB-PD, where PD stands for Power Delivery.

We tested with multiple Apple Watches and found that Apple Watch SE 2 doesn't support PD. However, Tesla ports are PD, therefore, incompatible with Apple chargers. That's why your

Apple Watch SE 2 doesn't charge in the Tesla!

So, we have developed a product that allows you to charge your non-PD Apple Watch through your Tesla’s USB-PD ports. 

What’s The Solution?

We have 2!

Solution 1: Using A Jowua Hub Bar

Steps to charge your Apple Watch in Tesla:

1. Grab a Jowua Mini Hub Bar
2. Connect the Hub to the USB port inside the the Center Console
3. Slide it in to securely place it as shown in the video
4. Plug in your Apple Watch

And that's it! Your Apple Watch will charge as the hub supports PD.

We have quite a few hub options to choose from depending upon which Tesla Model you own, so pick the right one from the below links!

1. Tesla Model 3 2024+ (Highland): 130W LED Hub for Tesla Reengineered Model 3 Highland (2024+)
2. Tesla Model 3 & Y: Hub Bar Mini for Tesla Model 3 / Y (36W)
3. Tesla Model S & X: Hub Bar Mini for Tesla Model S / X

Solution 2: Using Apple Watch Tesla Charging Kit

While the hub is great, if you need a more pocket-friendly solution for just charging your Apple Watch, you can also check out the Apple Watch Tesla Charging Kit

And guess what?!? It is compatible with Cybertruck too!

The kit includes:

• A Power-only USB-C to USB-A Adapter
• A USB-C Female to USB-A Male Adapter

These two pocket-sized adapters can solve your big charging problem. The Power-only adapter converts the USB-PD to a non-PD 12W charge that the Apple charge cable can handle. While the second plug only acts as a connector for Type C cables to connect to Type A ports.

How To Use The Kit?

To charge your Apple Watch in your Tesla, simply follow the below steps:

1. Attach the Power only adapter to Tesla’s USB port
2. Connect the Female to Male Adapter to it
3. Connect your Apple charging cable to the second adapter, as shown in the picture above, and charge your Apple Watch like you normally do.

See the red light? Your watch is charging now in your Tesla! 

See what a $15 accessory can do for you? That’s what we aim for at Jowua, keeping things simple!

However, for full disclosure, we couldn’t test every Apple watch. So, if you own some other model apart from the Apple Watch SE 2, your issue may or may not be stemming from PD. 

Also, it’s not clear whether future devices will support PD or not. So for now, this kit is your best bet for charging your Apple Watch in your Tesla.

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