What Happens if You Don’t Use Your Apple Watch for a Long Time?

The battery was swollen, the screen popped off, and I was left staring at a $400 device that no longer worked. This was not what I expected when I left my Apple Watch on my desk for months. Like many of us, I had fallen out of the habit of using it regularly. Life got busy, and the novelty of tracking my heart rate and step count wore off. So, I set it aside, figuring I'd come back to it when I had time. That time never came.

Months passed, and when I finally reached for it, I found a swollen battery pushing the display out of its case. It was shocking—an expensive piece of tech, left unused, had transformed into a non-functional brick. If only I had known that this might happen, I would have done something sooner.

But what exactly happens when you leave your Apple Watch unused for a long time? And more importantly, how can you avoid the pitfalls of battery damage and other complications?

Let's break it down:

1. Battery Drain and Degradation

The most critical component of the Apple Watch is its battery. If the watch is left idle for an extended period, the battery continues to deplete even when it's not in use. Unlike a traditional watch, which can sit in a drawer for years and still work, the Apple Watch is more like a smartphone—it needs regular charging to maintain its health.

• Lithium-Ion Batteries and Aging: The Apple Watch uses a lithium-ion battery, which chemically ages over time. When you don’t use the watch for a while, the battery might drain completely, causing the cells to deteriorate. If left unchecked for too long, this can lead to swelling or permanent damage, which is often what causes the screen to pop off.

• Swollen Battery: One of the worst-case scenarios is a swollen battery. As the battery degrades, gases can build up inside, causing the battery to expand. This not only ruins the battery but can also damage the screen and internal components. Once the battery swells, you’ll likely need to replace the entire unit.

2. Software and Connectivity Issues

If you leave your Apple Watch unused for months, it may not only suffer physically but also from a software standpoint.

• Outdated Software: When an Apple Watch sits dormant, it misses regular software updates. Upon turning it back on, you may face connectivity issues or glitches due to outdated software. Catching up on months’ worth of updates can be a time-consuming process, and some apps or features might not work as expected until everything is up to date.

• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Glitches: The Apple Watch relies heavily on its connection to your iPhone. Leaving it unused can sometimes result in the watch losing its ability to sync seamlessly. You might need to re-pair the watch with your phone, reset connections, or even restore it from a backup if software glitches occur after a long hiatus.

3. Health and Activity Tracking—Out of Sync

Apple Watch users often praise it for its health-tracking capabilities. But if the watch isn't used for a long time, your health data may become inconsistent or out of sync with other Apple devices or apps.

• Missed Activity Goals: If you use your Apple Watch to track fitness goals, taking a long break means you lose that consistent data tracking. You might also notice that your trends in the Health app look odd after returning to regular use. Your heart rate variability, sleep data, or activity rings might be skewed or less accurate for a while as the watch recalibrates.

• Calibration Loss: Apple Watches often calibrate based on your past activity. After a long period of non-use, the watch may need time to recalibrate its sensors, like GPS and motion tracking, to deliver accurate data once again.

4. Potential Solutions and Preventive Measures

While the consequences of leaving your Apple Watch unused for an extended period can be severe, there are ways to mitigate or prevent these issues.

• Charge It Regularly: Even if you're not using the Apple Watch daily, charge it once a week to ensure the battery remains in good condition. Allowing the battery to fully drain can accelerate degradation.

• Power Down: If you know you won't be using the Apple Watch for an extended period, turn it off completely. This prevents unnecessary battery drain and prolongs the life of the lithium-ion cells.

• Store It Properly: Make sure to store the watch in a cool, dry place. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or in extremely cold environments, as temperature fluctuations can affect battery life and the overall condition of the device.

• Update Software Before Storing: Ensure your Apple Watch has the latest software update before putting it away. This reduces the likelihood of encountering major issues when you start using it again.

5. When to Replace the Battery

If your Apple Watch shows signs of a swollen battery or if it's no longer holding a charge for as long as it used to, it's time to consider a battery replacement. Apple offers battery replacement services, but it can be expensive—often making it more economical to purchase a new device, especially if your watch is an older model.

Table:

Issue	Cause	Solution
Swollen Battery	Long periods of non-use and battery aging	Battery replacement
Software Glitches	Missed updates	Re-pair or restore from backup
Inconsistent Tracking	Loss of calibration	Use watch regularly to recalibrate
Connectivity Issues	Bluetooth and Wi-Fi loss	Reset or re-pair watch to the iPhone

Conclusion

It's easy to forget about your Apple Watch when life gets busy, but leaving it unused for a long time can lead to issues that range from battery degradation to software glitches. Make sure to regularly charge it, keep its software updated, and store it in the right conditions. If you're not planning on using it for a while, turn it off completely to preserve the battery's lifespan. These small steps can save you from costly repairs or replacements down the line.

The next time you think about leaving your watch in a drawer for a few months, remember what happened to mine. It may seem harmless, but the consequences can be expensive and frustrating.