A new account circulating on Reddit is putting a spotlight on a risk many people rarely consider: what happens when a smartwatch battery fails while it’s strapped tightly to your skin. In this report, an Apple Watch allegedly overheated so severely that it burned the wearer’s wrist and left a scar that remained visible months later.
According to the user, the incident happened on September 24, 2025 while they were working on a laptop. Without warning, the back of the watch reportedly became extremely hot. The wearer says they removed the Apple Watch immediately, but not quickly enough to avoid injury. Photos shared with the post show a distinct mark in the shape and position consistent with a smartwatch sitting on the wrist.
The story doesn’t end with the injury. The user says they contacted Apple the same day, expecting a straightforward investigation and resolution. Instead, they describe a drawn-out support experience lasting more than six months with no clear outcome. In the post, the user claims Apple initially suggested the burn blisters could be an allergic reaction, then said it would look into the issue further, but allegedly never followed up.
Later, the user says Apple asked that the watch be sent to Ireland for analysis to determine the cause of the overheating. However, the poster claims Apple did not arrange the agreed collection of the device. The situation reportedly became even more frustrating when another support representative refused to set up a pickup. After additional delays, the user says they were told they had an appointment at an Apple Store’s Genius Bar—only to arrive and find the store had no record of it. The watch was not accepted for shipping, and the user claims support stopped responding afterward.
As with many viral user reports, the full context is difficult to verify from the outside, and it’s important to treat individual claims cautiously. The watch reportedly showed no obvious external damage in the images shared, and the exact cause of the overheating hasn’t been confirmed. Still, a battery-related malfunction is often considered one of the more likely explanations when wearable electronics become abnormally hot.
For Apple Watch owners and smartwatch users in general, the incident is a reminder of basic safety steps worth keeping in mind. If a wearable suddenly feels unusually hot, power it off if possible, remove it immediately, and avoid placing it on flammable surfaces. If skin irritation or burns occur, seek medical advice and document the issue with photos and dates when contacting support.
The broader takeaway is simple: because smartwatches sit directly on the body all day, even a rare hardware failure can have more immediate physical consequences than a phone overheating in a pocket or on a desk. This report is fueling fresh discussion about wearable battery safety, customer support handling, and what consumers should expect when a device meant to monitor health may itself become a hazard.
