Check the battery on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

The fastest way to see your AirPod case battery is to open the case near your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. A popup window appears on your screen showing the battery level of each AirPod and the case itself. This works whether your device is locked or unlocked — the popup shows up automatically when Bluetooth detects the open case.

On iPhone and iPad, the popup appears in the upper right corner. On Mac, it shows in the upper left. The battery percentage displays for each AirPod individually and for the case as a whole. If you miss the popup, you can also check the battery in the Control Center (iPhone and iPad) or the menu bar (Mac) by tapping or clicking the Bluetooth icon.

This method works for all AirPod models: AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirPods (2nd generation and later), and AirPods Pro (2nd generation). The case must be within Bluetooth range — typically 30 feet or less — for the battery reading to appear.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your AirPod case near your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to see a popup showing the battery level of each AirPod and the case.
  • You can also check battery in the Control Center on iPhone and iPad, or in the menu bar on Mac, by tapping the Bluetooth icon.
  • The case must be within Bluetooth range (roughly 30 feet) for the battery reading to display.
  • If the case battery is very low, the popup may show a low battery warning instead of an exact percentage.

Check battery in Control Center on iPhone and iPad

Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone or iPad screen to open Control Center. Tap and hold the Bluetooth icon in the upper left of the Control Center panel. A list of connected devices appears, including your AirPods and case with their current battery percentages.

This method is useful if you did not see the automatic popup when you opened the case, or if you want to check the battery without opening the case again. The battery reading updates in real time as long as your AirPods are connected to your device.

Check battery in the menu bar on Mac

Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your Mac screen. A dropdown menu shows all connected Bluetooth devices. Find your AirPods in the list — the battery percentage appears next to the device name. If you do not see a Bluetooth icon in your menu bar, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, and check the box next to "Show Bluetooth in menu bar."

On some Mac models, you may need to hold down the Option key while clicking the Bluetooth icon to see the full battery details. The menu bar method works whether your case is open or closed, as long as your AirPods are paired with your Mac.

What to do when the case battery is low

When your AirPod case battery drops below 20 percent, the popup or menu bar display usually shows a low battery warning. At this point, your AirPods can still charge from the case, but you will not have much charging time left. Plug the case into a USB-C or Lightning cable (depending on your AirPod model) to recharge.

Most AirPod cases take about one hour to fully charge from empty. While the case charges, your AirPods will not charge, so plan accordingly if you need them for extended use. If the case battery reaches zero, your AirPods will not charge at all until the case has some power again.

Troubleshoot if the battery reading does not appear

If you open your AirPod case and no battery popup appears, first check that Bluetooth is turned on on your device. On iPhone and iPad, swipe down from the top right to open Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it on. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select "Turn Bluetooth On."

If Bluetooth is already on, move your AirPod case closer to your device — it may be out of range. Try closing and reopening the case near your phone or computer. If the popup still does not appear, forget the AirPods from your device's Bluetooth settings and pair them again. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device." Then open your AirPod case near your phone to re-pair.

Check battery on Android or Windows devices

Android and Windows do not show a battery popup like iPhone and Mac do. Instead, open the AirPods app on Android (if you have it installed) or check your device's Bluetooth settings. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list of paired devices, and tap them to see available information — some Android phones display battery percentage here, but not all.

For the most reliable battery reading on Android or Windows, use your iPhone, iPad, or Mac if you have one. The popup method is the clearest way to see the exact battery level of your case and each AirPod. If you use only Android or Windows, checking the Bluetooth settings is your best option, though the information may be limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the battery popup show different percentages for each AirPod?

Each AirPod has its own battery, and they may charge at slightly different rates depending on how often you use them. If one AirPod is used more than the other, its battery will drain faster. This is normal and does not mean there is a problem — both AirPods will continue to work until both batteries are depleted.

Can I check the case battery without opening it?

Yes. Use the Control Center on iPhone and iPad or the menu bar on Mac to check the battery without opening the case. The case battery level displays in these menus whether the case is open or closed, as long as your AirPods are paired with your device.

What does it mean if the battery shows 0 percent?

A 0 percent reading means the case has no charge left and cannot charge your AirPods. Plug the case into power when ready using the correct cable for your AirPod model. The case will begin charging right away, though it may take a few minutes before the battery reading updates on your device.

Does the battery percentage update in real time?

The battery reading updates when you check it, but it does not continuously update on your screen. If you check the battery in Control Center or the menu bar, the percentage reflects the current level at that moment. Close and reopen the menu to see an updated reading.