Add the AirPods battery widget in three steps

The AirPods battery widget shows you the charge level of your AirPods, case, and connected device in one glance. To add it, open your home screen, long-press an empty area, tap the plus button in the bottom left, search for "Batteries", select the Batteries app, choose the widget size you want, and tap "Add Widget". The widget will then appear on your home screen and update whenever your AirPods are in range.

The widget works on iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch running iOS 16.1 or later. It displays the battery percentage for each component — left AirPod, right AirPod, and charging case — in real time. You can place it on any home screen page and resize it to fit your layout.

Key Takeaways

  • The Batteries widget is built into iOS and shows AirPods charge levels without opening Settings.
  • You access it by long-pressing your home screen, tapping the plus button, and searching for "Batteries".
  • The widget displays battery percentage for both AirPods and the case simultaneously.
  • It updates automatically when your AirPods are connected and in range of your device.

Where to find the Batteries app in the widget menu

The Batteries app is a system app on your iPhone or iPad, so you do not need to read anything. When you long-press your home screen and tap the plus button, type "Batteries" in the search box at the top. The Batteries app icon — a green battery symbol — will appear when ready.

Tap the Batteries app, and you will see widget size options. Most users choose the small or medium size, which fits easily in a corner or alongside other widgets. Tap your preferred size, then tap "Add Widget" to place it on your current home screen. You can move it later by long-pressing and dragging.

What the widget displays and how to read it

The Batteries widget shows three battery percentages when your AirPods are connected: the left AirPod, the right AirPod, and the charging case. Each appears as a separate battery icon with a number next to it. If one AirPod is in the case, only the other AirPod and the case will show a percentage.

The widget updates every few minutes when your AirPods are in range. If your AirPods are out of range or powered off, the widget will show the last known battery level but will not update until they reconnect. This is normal behavior and does not mean the widget is broken.

Troubleshooting if the widget shows no battery information

If the Batteries widget appears blank or shows no AirPods information, first check that your AirPods are powered on and within Bluetooth range of your iPhone or iPad. The widget only displays data when your AirPods are actively connected.

If your AirPods are connected but the widget still shows nothing, restart your device by powering it off and back on. Then open the widget again. If the problem persists, forget your AirPods in Bluetooth settings and re-pair them. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device". Then hold your AirPods case near your iPhone and follow the pairing prompt.

Moving or removing the widget from your home screen

To move the Batteries widget, long-press it until a menu appears. Tap "Move" and drag it to a new location on your home screen or to a different page. Release your finger to drop it in place. You can also long-press and drag without tapping "Move" — the effect is the same.

To remove the widget, long-press it and select "Remove Widget", then confirm by tapping "Remove". The widget will disappear from your home screen, but you can add it back anytime by repeating the original steps. Removing the widget does not affect your AirPods or their connection to your device.

Using multiple widget sizes for different needs

The Batteries app offers three widget sizes: small, medium, and large. The small widget is compact and fits in a corner; the medium widget is wider and easier to read at a glance; the large widget takes up more space but displays the information most prominently. You can add the same widget in multiple sizes on different home screen pages if you want.

Many users place a small Batteries widget on their main home screen for quick checks and a larger one on a secondary page for detailed viewing. Experiment with placement to find what works best for your routine. You can always move or remove widgets without any impact on your device or AirPods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see the AirPods battery without the widget?

Yes. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top right of your screen (iPhone X and later) or up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier). The battery percentage for your AirPods and case appears near the top. You can also check battery in Settings > Bluetooth by tapping the info icon next to your AirPods name.

Why does the widget show different percentages for each AirPod?

Each AirPod has its own battery. If you use one AirPod more than the other, or if one is older, the percentages may differ slightly. This is normal. Both AirPods will drain at roughly the same rate during normal use, so the percentages should stay close.

Does the widget work with AirPods Pro and AirPods Max?

Yes. The Batteries widget displays battery information for all AirPods models, including AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and standard AirPods. It shows the case battery for all models and individual AirPod batteries for standard AirPods and AirPods Pro.

Will the widget drain my battery faster?

No. Widgets use minimal power, especially when they are not actively updating. The Batteries widget only refreshes every few minutes when your AirPods are in range, so the impact on your device battery is negligible.