Check AirPod Battery on Your iPhone or iPad
The easiest way to see your AirPod battery is to open the case near your iPhone or iPad while the device is unlocked. A battery widget will pop up on your screen showing the charge level of each AirPod and the case itself. This widget stays visible for a few seconds, then disappears — you do not need to tap anything.
If the widget does not appear, make sure Bluetooth is turned on and your AirPods are paired to that device. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and confirm your AirPods show as "Connected" in the list. Then try opening the case again near your unlocked phone.
You can also check battery without opening the case. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, then look for the battery percentage next to the Bluetooth icon. This shows only the AirPod battery, not the case.
Key Takeaways
- Open your AirPod case near an unlocked iPhone or iPad to see a battery widget showing each AirPod and the case charge level.
- Control Center on iPhone displays AirPod battery percentage when you swipe down from the top-right corner.
- On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select your AirPods to view battery status.
- Apple Watch shows AirPod battery in Control Center when you swipe up from the bottom of the watch face.
- If battery information does not appear, restart Bluetooth on your device or unpair and re-pair your AirPods.
Check AirPod Battery on Your Mac
Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your Mac screen. Your AirPods will appear in the dropdown menu with a battery percentage next to the name. If you do not see the Bluetooth icon, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, and turn it on.
The percentage shown is the battery level of the AirPod you are currently using — usually the right one if you are wearing both. To see the battery of the other AirPod and the case, open the case near your Mac and wait for the battery widget to appear on screen.
Check AirPod Battery on Your Apple Watch
Swipe up from the bottom of your watch face to open Control Center. Look for the battery icon and tap it. Your AirPod battery percentage will display alongside other device batteries like your watch and phone.
If your AirPods do not show in Control Center, make sure they are paired to your watch. Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to Bluetooth, and confirm your AirPods are listed and connected.
What the Battery Percentages Mean
Each AirPod shows its own battery level separately. If one AirPod reads 80% and the other reads 60%, they are draining at different rates — this is normal and does not indicate a problem. Use whichever AirPod has more charge if you need to switch to single-ear mode.
The case battery is shown separately and represents how much charge is stored to refill your AirPods. When the case battery is low, your AirPods will charge more slowly or not at all when you close them inside. A case at 5% can still deliver one full charge to your AirPods, but after that you will need to plug in the case itself.
Troubleshooting When Battery Information Does Not Appear
If you open the case and no battery widget appears on your iPhone, turn Bluetooth off and back on. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, toggle it off, wait five seconds, then toggle it back on. Try opening the case again.
If that does not work, unpair your AirPods completely and re-pair them. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the info icon next to them, and select "Forget This Device." Then hold your AirPod case near your iPhone with the lid open until the pairing screen appears, and follow the on-screen steps to reconnect.
For Mac users, restart your Mac if the Bluetooth menu does not show battery information. If the problem persists across all your devices, your AirPods may need a firmware update — connect them to power and keep them near an internet-connected device for at least 30 minutes.
How Often to Check Your AirPod Battery
Check your battery before long listening sessions or travel days so you are not caught with a dead AirPod mid-call or commute. Most AirPods deliver five to six hours of listening time on a full charge, so if you use them all day, you will need to top them up at least once.
If you use your AirPods in a case throughout the day, the case can recharge them multiple times — typically three to four full charges depending on the model. Once both the AirPods and case are at low battery, you will need to plug the case into power for 15 to 30 minutes to get a meaningful charge back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my two AirPods show different battery levels?
Each AirPod has its own battery and drains independently based on how much you use that ear. If you wear only the left AirPod most of the time, it will drain faster than the right. This is normal. Swap them occasionally to balance the wear, or use whichever has more charge when one runs low.
Can I see AirPod battery on my Android phone?
No. Battery information is only available on Apple devices — iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. If you use AirPods with an Android phone, you will not see a battery widget or percentage display. You can only estimate battery by how long you have been using them since the last charge.
What does it mean if the battery widget shows red?
Red indicates low battery — usually below 20%. Your AirPods will still work, but you should charge them soon if you plan to use them for more than an hour. Close them in the case to start charging when ready.
How long does it take to charge AirPods in the case?
A full charge in the case takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on the model and how depleted they are. You do not need to wait for a full charge — closing them in the case for even five minutes will add 30 to 60 minutes of listening time.
Will my AirPods charge if the case battery is very low?
Yes, but slowly. A case at 5% battery can still deliver one full charge to your AirPods, though it may take longer than usual. Once the case is completely empty, your AirPods will not charge at all until you plug the case into power.