Check AirPods battery on your iPhone or iPad

Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (iPhone X and later) or swiping up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier). Look for the battery percentage next to your AirPods name. If your AirPods are in the case, you will see three battery levels: one for the left earbud, one for the right earbud, and one for the case itself.

If Control Center does not show your AirPods, swipe left to see more cards, or open the Batteries widget by swiping to your leftmost home screen and tapping the plus icon at the bottom. Add the Batteries widget and you will see AirPods battery there without opening Control Center each time.

You can also check battery in the Settings app. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, and tap the information icon (i) next to the name. The battery percentage for each earbud and the case will appear on that screen.

Check AirPods battery on Mac

Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Your AirPods will appear in the dropdown menu with a battery percentage next to the name. This shows the combined battery level; to see individual earbud and case percentages, click the information icon next to your AirPods name.

On older Mac models without the Bluetooth menu bar icon, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and find your AirPods in the list. The battery percentage displays there as well. This method works on any Mac running a recent version of macOS.

Check AirPods battery on Apple Watch

Open Control Center on your Apple Watch by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Scroll down to find the battery percentage for your AirPods. The display shows the same three levels as your iPhone: left earbud, right earbud, and case.

Alternatively, open the Batteries app on your Apple Watch if you have installed it. This dedicated app shows all connected device batteries in one place, making it straightforward to monitor your AirPods alongside your watch battery and any other paired devices.

What the battery percentages mean

Each AirPod earbud has its own battery. If one earbud shows 60% and the other shows 40%, the lower percentage determines how long you can use both together. Once the 40% earbud runs out, you can still use the other earbud alone at 60%, but you lose stereo sound.

The case battery is separate from the earbuds. Even if both earbuds are at 0%, the case can recharge them multiple times depending on the model. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have different case capacities than standard AirPods, so check your product documentation for exact recharge counts.

When battery percentage stops updating

If your AirPods are disconnected or out of range, the battery percentage may not update in real time. Reconnect them to your device and wait a few seconds for the percentage to refresh. If an earbud has been in the case for a long time without use, it may take a moment to wake up and report its actual battery level.

If one earbud consistently shows 0% or will not charge, try resetting your AirPods. Place both in the case, hold the setup button on the back for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white. This clears the pairing and battery reporting errors that sometimes occur after extended storage or failed charge cycles.

Checking battery without opening your phone

Siri can tell you your AirPods battery level without unlocking your device. Say "Hey Siri, what is my AirPods battery?" and Siri will read the percentage aloud. This works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.

If you wear your AirPods regularly, the Batteries widget on your home screen is the fastest method because it shows the level at a glance without any taps. You can also ask Siri to remind you when your AirPods battery drops below a certain percentage, though this requires setting up a custom automation in the Shortcuts app.

Key Takeaways

  • Control Center on iPhone shows all three battery levels (left earbud, right earbud, case) in one tap from the top-right corner.
  • The Batteries widget on your home screen displays AirPods battery without opening Control Center each time.
  • Mac users can click the Bluetooth menu bar icon to see battery percentage when ready.
  • Each earbud has its own battery, and the lower percentage determines how long stereo playback lasts.
  • If battery percentage stops updating, reconnect your AirPods or reset them using the setup button on the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does only one AirPod show a battery percentage?

If only one earbud appears in your battery display, the other may be disconnected or not in range. Place both in the case together for 30 seconds, then remove them and reconnect. If the second earbud still does not appear, it may need charging or a reset.

Can I see battery percentage on Android?

No. AirPods are designed for Apple devices and do not display battery information on Android phones. You can still use AirPods with Android for audio, but you will not see battery levels. Consider using a different brand of wireless earbuds if battery monitoring on Android is important to you.

What battery percentage means I should charge soon?

Most users charge when one earbud drops below 20%. At that point, you have roughly one to two hours of listening time left depending on your model and usage. Charging the case takes 15 to 30 minutes and restores both earbuds to full battery.

Does the battery percentage update while I am using my AirPods?

Yes, the percentage updates in real time as you listen. You may notice it drop by 1% every few minutes depending on volume and features like active noise cancellation. Closing Control Center and reopening it shows the most current reading.

Why does my AirPods battery drain faster than before?

Battery drain increases with age, active noise cancellation, higher volume, and constant connectivity. If one earbud drains much faster than the other, that earbud may be failing and may need replacement through Apple Support.