Show Battery Percentage in the Status Bar

You can display your battery percentage as a number in the top-right corner of your iPhone screen, next to the battery icon. The steps differ depending on which iPhone model you own.

On an iPhone with Face ID (iPhone X and newer, except the SE models), go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, then turn on Show Percentage. The percentage will appear inside or next to the battery icon in the status bar.

On an iPhone with a home button (iPhone 8 and earlier, or the SE models), go to Settings > Battery, then turn on Battery Percentage. The number will display next to the battery icon.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhones with Face ID use Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging > Show Percentage to display the battery number.
  • iPhones with a home button use Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage for the same result.
  • Once enabled, the percentage appears in the status bar at the top right of your screen at all times.
  • You can turn this setting off at any time by returning to the same menu and toggling it off.

Where the Percentage Appears on Your Screen

On Face ID iPhones, the percentage shows inside the battery icon itself when the icon is large enough, or directly to the left of it when space is tight. On home button iPhones, the percentage always appears to the right of the battery icon.

The percentage updates in real time as you use your phone. If you are running a low battery, the percentage will turn red to match the low-battery warning color.

Why You Might Want to See the Percentage

The battery icon alone shows a rough visual estimate — full, three-quarters, half, quarter, or empty — but does not tell you the exact amount. Seeing the actual percentage helps you decide whether you need to charge soon or can wait, especially if you are away from a charger.

Some people find the percentage useful for tracking battery health over time. If your battery drains much faster than it used to, the percentage display makes that change more obvious.

Turning the Setting Off Again

If you change your mind and want to hide the percentage, return to the same menu where you turned it on and toggle the setting off. On Face ID phones, that is Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging > Show Percentage. On home button phones, it is Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage.

Turning off the percentage display does not affect your battery or any other phone function — it only removes the number from the status bar.

What to Do If the Setting Does Not Appear

If you cannot find the Show Percentage or Battery Percentage option, make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check.

Older iOS versions on some iPhone models may not include this feature. If your phone is fully updated and the setting still does not appear, the feature may not be available on your specific model, though this is rare on any iPhone made in the last ten years.

Using Control Center to Check Battery Without Enabling the Percentage

If you do not want the percentage in your status bar but still want to check it quickly, swipe down from the top-right corner (Face ID iPhones) or up from the bottom (home button iPhones) to open Control Center. The battery percentage appears at the top of the Control Center panel.

This method lets you see the exact percentage whenever you need it without having the number displayed all the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does showing the battery percentage drain my battery faster?

No. Displaying the percentage in the status bar has no effect on how fast your battery drains. It is straightforward a display change and does not use any additional power.

Why does my battery percentage sometimes jump from one number to another?

Battery percentage calculations are estimates based on voltage and other factors. iOS recalibrates occasionally, which can cause the number to shift by a few points. This is normal and does not mean your battery is failing.

Can I see the battery percentage on my lock screen?

On newer iPhones with iOS 16 or later, you can customize your lock screen to show battery percentage. Long-press the lock screen, tap Customize, and add a battery widget. Older iPhones do not support this feature.

What does it mean if the battery percentage is red?

Red indicates your battery is below 20 percent. Your phone will enter Low Power Mode automatically at 20 percent on most models, or you can turn it on manually in Settings > Battery to extend usage time.