Add the Battery Widget in Three Steps
The battery widget shows your iPhone's charge level and the charge levels of connected devices like AirPods or an Apple Watch, right on your home screen. You add it the same way you add any widget: long-press your home screen, tap the plus button, find the Batteries app, and choose the widget size you want.
The widget updates in real time as you charge or use your devices, so you can see at a glance whether you need to plug in before you leave the house. It takes about 30 seconds to set up and works on any iPhone running iOS 16 or later.
Key Takeaways
- Long-press an empty area of your home screen, then tap the plus button in the top left corner to open the widget menu.
- Search for or scroll to "Batteries" in the widget list, then select the widget size that fits your screen layout.
- The battery widget shows your iPhone's charge percentage and the charge levels of any paired accessories like AirPods or Apple Watch.
- The widget updates automatically throughout the day and works on iPhone 12 and newer models running iOS 16 or later.
Step-by-Step: Adding the Battery Widget
Start by unlocking your iPhone and going to your home screen. Find an empty area where you want the widget to sit—it can be on your main home screen or on any page to the right. Long-press that empty space for about two seconds until a menu appears at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the plus button (a white circle with a plus sign) in the top left corner. This opens the widget gallery. You can either scroll down to find "Batteries" or use the search box at the top to type "Batteries" and find it faster. Tap on the Batteries app when you see it.
A menu will show you the available widget sizes. The Batteries app offers a small widget (two rows by two columns) and a medium widget (two rows by four columns). The small version shows just your iPhone and one or two accessories; the medium version shows more devices at once. Choose the size that fits your home screen layout, then tap "Add Widget." The widget will appear on your home screen when ready.
What the Battery Widget Actually Shows
The widget displays a list of devices and their current charge percentages. Your iPhone always appears at the top. Below it, you'll see any connected devices: AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, or any other Apple device that pairs with your iPhone via Bluetooth or iCloud.
The widget updates every few minutes, so if you charge your AirPods while looking at the widget, you'll see the percentage climb. If a device is not nearby or not connected, it may not appear on the widget at all, or it may show a stale charge level from the last time it was connected.
Moving or Removing the Battery Widget
Once the widget is on your home screen, you can move it or delete it just like any other icon. Long-press the widget itself until a menu appears. Tap "Move" to drag it to a new location on the same screen or to a different home screen page. Tap "Remove" if you want to take it off your home screen.
You can also edit your home screen by long-pressing an empty area and tapping "Edit" in the bottom left. This puts all your icons and widgets into edit mode, where you can rearrange them by dragging. Tap "Done" when you're finished.
Why the Battery Widget Might Not Appear
The Batteries widget requires iOS 16 or later. If you have an older iPhone or haven't updated your software, the widget won't be available. Check your iOS version by opening Settings, tapping General, then About. If an update is available, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install it.
If you've updated but still can't find the Batteries widget, restart your iPhone. Hold down the side button and one of the volume buttons until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off your phone. Wait 10 seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on. The widget should now appear in the gallery.
Pairing New Devices So They Show on the Widget
For a device to appear on your battery widget, it must be paired with your iPhone via Bluetooth or signed into the same iCloud account. AirPods pair through Bluetooth; Apple Watches and iPads pair through both Bluetooth and iCloud. Macs and other devices signed into your iCloud account will show up automatically once they're in range.
If you just bought new AirPods or an Apple Watch, pair them first by following the device's setup instructions. Once paired, they'll appear on the battery widget within a few minutes. If they don't show up right away, restart your iPhone or toggle Bluetooth off and back on in Settings > Bluetooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the battery percentage of my Apple Watch on the widget?
Yes. If your Apple Watch is paired with your iPhone, its charge level appears on the battery widget automatically. The widget shows the watch's battery percentage alongside your iPhone's charge level.
Does the battery widget work on iPad or Mac?
The Batteries widget is designed for iPhone. iPad has its own battery widget available in iPadOS 16 and later. Mac does not have a dedicated battery widget, but you can see connected device batteries in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
What if a device is paired but doesn't show on the widget?
Devices only appear on the widget when they're in range and connected to your iPhone. If an AirPod case or Apple Watch is far away or turned off, it may not display. Restart your iPhone or toggle Bluetooth off and on to refresh the widget's display.
Can I customize which devices appear on the battery widget?
No. The widget automatically shows all paired and connected devices. You cannot choose to hide specific devices or reorder them. If you want a simpler view, you can use the smaller widget size, which shows fewer devices at once.
Does the battery widget drain my iPhone's battery?
No. Widgets use very little power. The battery widget straightforward reads charge information that your iPhone already tracks for paired devices, so it has no meaningful impact on your battery life.