Check Battery on Your iPhone or iPad

The quickest way to see your AirPod battery is to open the case near your iPhone or iPad while it is unlocked. A battery widget will pop up on your screen showing the charge level of each AirPod and the case itself. This works whether your AirPods are inside the case or already in your ears.

If the widget does not appear, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, then look for the battery percentage displayed there. You can also add a dedicated battery widget to your home screen: press and hold an empty area of your home screen, tap the plus icon, search for "Batteries", and select it. This widget shows all your connected devices, including AirPods, in one place.

For a more detailed view, open the Settings app, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list of connected devices, and tap the information icon next to them. This screen displays the battery percentage for the left AirPod, right AirPod, and charging case separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your AirPod case near an unlocked iPhone or iPad to see a battery widget that shows the charge level of both AirPods and the case.
  • You can add a Batteries widget to your home screen to check AirPod charge at a glance without opening the case.
  • Go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the information icon next to your AirPods to see detailed battery percentages for each AirPod and the case.
  • On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and hover over your AirPods to see their battery level.
  • Apple Watch users can swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center and see AirPod battery percentage there.

Check Battery on Your Mac

On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen. A dropdown menu will appear listing all your connected Bluetooth devices. Find your AirPods in that list and hover your cursor over them — the battery percentage will display next to the name.

If you do not see the Bluetooth icon in your menu bar, open System Settings, click Bluetooth in the sidebar, and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Then return to the menu bar and the icon should appear. You can also check battery in System Settings itself: go to Bluetooth, find your AirPods, and click the information icon to see the charge level of each AirPod and the case.

Check Battery on Your Apple Watch

On an Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. Look for the battery percentage display — if your AirPods are connected, their battery level will show there alongside your watch battery.

You can also check the battery in the Watch app on your paired iPhone. Open the Watch app, go to the My Watch tab, scroll down to AirPods, and tap them to see detailed battery information for both AirPods and the case.

What the Battery Percentages Mean

Each AirPod has its own battery, so you will see three separate percentages: left AirPod, right AirPod, and case. If one AirPod shows a much lower percentage than the other, it may be draining faster due to heavier use or a hardware issue. The case battery is separate and charges your AirPods when they are stored inside.

When your AirPods battery drops below 20 percent, your device will send you a low battery notification. At 10 percent, you will get another warning. Once either AirPod reaches zero, that AirPod will stop working, though the other may continue if it still has charge. The case battery does not affect whether your AirPods work — it only matters when you need to recharge them.

Why Your Battery Reading Might Be Wrong

Sometimes the battery percentage shown does not match how long your AirPods actually play. This usually happens because the battery meter is an estimate, not a precise measurement. If your AirPods show 30 percent but die after five minutes, the sensor may be reading inaccurately due to age or a software glitch.

Try disconnecting and reconnecting your AirPods: go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device". Then place your AirPods in their case, hold the case near your iPhone, and follow the pairing steps. This often recalibrates the battery reading. If the problem continues, your AirPods may need service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my battery widget not show up when I open my AirPod case?

Your iPhone or iPad must be unlocked and within Bluetooth range for the widget to appear. Make sure your device's Bluetooth is turned on and your AirPods are already paired. If the widget still does not show, try restarting your device or forgetting and re-pairing your AirPods.

Can I check my AirPod battery without opening the case?

Yes. Use the Batteries widget on your home screen, check Control Center on your iPhone or Apple Watch, or go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the information icon next to your AirPods. You only need to open the case if you want the quick pop-up widget.

What should I do if one AirPod battery is much lower than the other?

This is normal if you use one AirPod more than the other. However, if the difference is extreme or one AirPod drains much faster than before, try forgetting and re-pairing your AirPods. If the problem persists, contact Apple Support, as one AirPod may have a battery defect.

Does the case battery affect whether my AirPods work?

No. Your AirPods will work as long as they have their own charge, even if the case is completely dead. The case battery only matters when you want to recharge your AirPods by putting them inside.