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Can’t Charge Your Galaxy Watch 8 Wirelessly? Here’s the Annoying Truth
Let me tell you about a frustrating problem many Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 owners are facing. Their new smartwatch won’t charge the way their old one did.
What Changed with the Galaxy Watch 8?
Samsung made some changes to the Galaxy Watch 8 that caught many people off guard. The biggest change? Your watch can no longer charge on the back of your Samsung phone.
This feature was called Wireless PowerShare. It let you put your watch on the back of phones like the Galaxy S24 Ultra to charge it. Many people loved this because it was a great backup when they forgot their charger.
But starting with the Galaxy Watch 7, Samsung removed this feature. The Galaxy Watch 8 continues this trend.
Samsung had to make this change because of new health sensors. A Samsung Care Ambassador explained that “it’s because of the new sensors which prevent the watch from using WPS”.
Here’s what happened:
- Samsung added better heart rate sensors and sleep tracking
- These new sensors are bigger and stick out more
- The charging coil had to be moved deeper into the watch
- Now there’s too much distance between your phone and the watch’s charging coil
Think of it like trying to charge through a thick wall. The sensors create a barrier that blocks the power from reaching the watch properly.
The Charger Compatibility Problem
There’s another annoying issue. The Galaxy Watch 8 doesn’t work well with older Samsung chargers.
Which Chargers Don’t Work:
- Older Samsung Wireless Charger Trio (3-in-1 pad)
- Some older Duo chargers
- Wireless PowerShare from Samsung phones
Why These Chargers Fail:
- The watch has a redesigned back that won’t sit flat
- The bands get in the way
- Even removing the bands doesn’t always fix it
- Charging starts and stops repeatedly
One frustrated owner said: “Mine will start charging and stop continuously”.
What Chargers Actually Work?
Don’t worry – you’re not stuck. Here are your options:
Chargers That Work:
- The magnetic puck charger that came with your watch
- Newer Samsung Wireless Charger Duo models
- Some newer Samsung wireless chargers designed for recent watches
The included USB-C wireless puck is your best bet right now. It works perfectly every time.
What This Means for You
If you’re thinking about buying a Galaxy Watch 8, here’s what you need to know:
The Bad News:
- You can’t charge it on your phone anymore
- Your old charging pads might not work
- You’ll need to carry the included charger or buy a new wireless pad
The Good News:
- The included charger works great
- Newer Samsung chargers are compatible
- The new sensors provide better health tracking
Should This Change Your Mind?
This change is disappointing for people who loved the convenience of charging their watch on their phone. It was especially useful when traveling or as an emergency backup.
However, the trade-off comes with better health tracking. The new sensors can monitor your heart rate more accurately and track your sleep better.
Samsung made a choice between convenience and better health features. They picked better health tracking over wireless charging flexibility.
If wireless charging on your phone was important to you, this might affect your buying decision. But if you’re okay using the included charger or buying a new wireless pad, the Galaxy Watch 8 still offers excellent features.
The key is knowing what you’re getting into before you buy. Don’t expect your old charging setup to work the same way.