How to Check Your AirPod Battery on iPhone

The fastest way to see your AirPod battery

Open the case lid while your AirPods are inside, and hold the case near your iPhone. A battery card will pop up on your screen showing the charge level of each AirPod and the case itself. This takes about two seconds and works from up to 30 feet away.

If the card does not appear, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your iPhone settings and that your AirPods are already paired to that phone. The card only shows up when your iPhone recognizes the case nearby.

You can also check the battery without opening the case by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, then looking for the battery percentage next to the Bluetooth icon. This shows your AirPods' charge but not the case charge.

Key Takeaways

Open your AirPod case near your iPhone to see a battery card with the charge level of both AirPods and the case.
The battery card appears automatically on your lock screen or home screen when the case is detected.
Control Center shows your AirPods' battery percentage but does not display the case battery level.
If no battery card appears, check that Bluetooth is on and your AirPods are paired to your iPhone.
The Batteries widget on your home screen can show AirPod battery levels at a glance without opening Control Center.

Using the battery card on your lock screen

When you open your AirPod case near your iPhone, the battery card appears on your lock screen automatically. You do not need to unlock your phone or tap anything. The card shows three battery percentages: the left AirPod, the right AirPod, and the case.

The card stays on your screen for about 10 seconds, then disappears. If you miss it, open the case again and the card will reappear. You can also swipe up from the lock screen to dismiss the card early if you want to unlock your phone right away.

If your AirPods are already in your ears and you want to check the battery without opening the case, you will need to use Control Center instead, since the case is not nearby.

Checking battery in Control Center

Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Center. Look for the Bluetooth icon and the battery percentage next to it. This shows your AirPods' current charge level.

Control Center only displays the battery of the AirPods themselves, not the case. If you need to know the case battery, you must open the case near your phone to see the full battery card. Control Center is most useful when your AirPods are in your ears and you want a quick check without taking them out.

Adding the Batteries widget to your home screen

You can add a Batteries widget to your home screen to see your AirPod battery at a glance without opening Control Center. Long-press on an empty area of your home screen, then tap the plus icon in the top-left corner. Search for "Batteries" and select it.

The Batteries widget shows the charge level of all your connected devices in one place, including your AirPods, Apple Watch, and iPhone. You can choose between a small, medium, or large widget size depending on how much space you have. The widget updates automatically whenever your AirPods connect to your phone.

What the battery percentages mean

Each AirPod battery percentage is independent. If your left AirPod shows 85% and your right shows 60%, they are draining at different rates. This is normal and happens because one AirPod may be used more than the other, or one may have a slightly older battery.

The case battery is separate from the AirPod batteries. A fully charged case can charge your AirPods multiple times. When the case battery is low, your AirPods will still work, but you will not be able to charge them again until you plug in the case.

If one AirPod shows 0% and the other is higher, the dead one will not produce sound. You will need to place both AirPods in the case to charge them together.

Troubleshooting when the battery card does not appear

If you open your AirPod case near your iPhone and no battery card shows up, first check that Bluetooth is turned on. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure the toggle is green. Then try opening the case again.

If Bluetooth is on and the card still does not appear, your AirPods may not be paired to that iPhone. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and look for your AirPods in the list of devices. If they are not there, tap the plus icon to add them, or tap the info icon next to your AirPods and select "Forget This Device," then pair them again.

Another reason the card may not appear is if your iPhone is too far from the case. Move the case within 10 feet of your phone and try again. If the case battery is completely dead, the card will not appear even if the AirPods have charge.

Checking battery on other Apple devices

You can also check your AirPod battery on an iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch if they are paired to your AirPods. On iPad, the process is the same as iPhone: open the case near the device and the battery card appears. On Mac, open Control Center or check the Bluetooth menu in the top-right corner of the screen.

On Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center, then look for the battery percentage next to the Bluetooth icon. The battery card does not appear on Apple Watch the way it does on iPhone, so Control Center is your only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does one AirPod battery drain faster than the other?

One AirPod may be used more if you favor one ear, or the batteries inside may age at slightly different rates. This is normal. If the difference is extreme (one AirPod dies while the other is above 50%), contact Apple Support, as it may indicate a hardware issue.

Can I check my AirPod battery without opening the case?

Yes. Use Control Center or the Batteries widget to see your AirPods' charge level. However, these methods do not show the case battery. To see the case battery, you must open the case near your iPhone so the battery card appears.

What should I do if the battery card shows 0% for the case?

Plug your AirPod case into a power source using the Lightning or USB-C cable. The case will charge, and once it has power, it can charge your AirPods again. Your AirPods will continue to work even if the case is dead, but you will not be able to charge them until the case has power.

Does the battery card show up on my lock screen if my phone is locked?

Yes. The battery card appears on your lock screen automatically when you open the case near your iPhone, even if your phone is locked. You do not need to unlock your phone to see it.

Can I check my AirPod battery if they are not paired to my iPhone?

No. Your iPhone must be paired to your AirPods to display their battery level. If they are not paired, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and select your AirPods from the list to pair them. After pairing, the battery card will appear when you open the case.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.