Check AirPods Battery on Your iPhone or iPad
The fastest way to see your AirPods battery is to open the case near your iPhone or iPad while the device is unlocked. A battery widget appears on your screen showing the charge level of each earbud and the case itself. This widget stays visible for a few seconds, then disappears — you do not need to open any app or settings menu.
If the widget does not appear, make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and confirm the toggle is green. Then open your AirPods case near the phone again. The case must be within a few feet of your device for the battery information to show.
You can also check battery levels inside the Batteries widget on your home screen. Swipe left from your main home screen to open the widget panel, tap the plus icon at the bottom, search for "Batteries", and add it. The Batteries widget displays AirPods charge alongside your phone, Apple Watch, and other paired devices. This method works even when your case is not nearby, as long as your AirPods have connected to the phone recently.
Key Takeaways
- Open your AirPods case near an unlocked iPhone or iPad to see a battery widget showing both earbud and case charge levels.
- Add the Batteries widget to your home screen to check AirPods battery without opening the case.
- On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and hover over your AirPods name to see battery percentages.
- Apple Watch displays AirPods battery in the Control Center — swipe up from the bottom of the screen and look for the battery percentage next to the Bluetooth icon.
- If battery information does not appear, confirm Bluetooth is on and your AirPods have paired with the device.
Check AirPods Battery on Mac
On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top right of your screen. A dropdown menu appears listing all paired devices. Find your AirPods in the list and hover your cursor over the name — the battery percentage for each earbud and the case displays next to it.
If you do not see a Bluetooth icon in your menu bar, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. The icon should appear once Bluetooth is active. If your AirPods are not showing in the list, click "Pair a new device" and follow the pairing steps.
Check AirPods Battery on Apple Watch
On your Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center. Look for the Bluetooth icon — next to it you will see a battery percentage if your AirPods are connected. This percentage represents the combined battery status of both earbuds.
If the battery percentage does not appear, your AirPods may not be paired with the watch. Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to Bluetooth, and confirm your AirPods are listed. Once paired, the battery level will show in Control Center the next time you check.
What the Battery Percentages Mean
Each AirPod earbud shows its own battery percentage separately. If one earbud reads 80% and the other reads 60%, the lower number tells you which earbud will run out of power first. The case battery is listed separately and shows how much charge remains to top up the earbuds.
When an earbud drops below 10%, you will hear a low-battery notification in your ear. At that point, place the earbud in the case to charge. A full charge on a single earbud takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes inside the case. If both earbuds are low, you can charge one while wearing the other, or charge both together and wait for the case to refill them.
Troubleshooting When Battery Information Does Not Show
If the battery widget does not appear when you open your AirPods case, first check that your iPhone or iPad is unlocked. The widget only displays on an active, unlocked screen. Lock your device, then unlock it again and open the case near the screen.
If that does not work, restart Bluetooth. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, toggle it off, wait five seconds, and toggle it back on. Then open your AirPods case near the device again. If your AirPods still do not show battery information, they may need to be re-paired. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device". Open your AirPods case near the phone to re-pair them.
On Mac or Apple Watch, the same Bluetooth restart method works. If battery information still does not appear after restarting Bluetooth, check that your AirPods firmware is current. Connect them to an iPhone with internet access and leave them nearby for a few minutes — firmware updates happen automatically in the background.
Battery Drain and Lifespan
AirPods battery drains faster when you use features like active noise cancellation or spatial audio. With these features on, a single charge lasts around four to five hours. With them off, you may get six hours or more from one earbud. The case holds enough charge to refill your earbuds multiple times — typically five full charges, or up to 30 hours of total listening time.
Battery capacity decreases over time. After two to three years of regular use, you may notice each charge does not last as long as it did when the AirPods were new. This is normal for lithium batteries. When battery life becomes too short for your needs, you can replace the earbuds or the case through Apple, though the cost is significant — often 60 to 80 dollars for a single earbud or case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the battery widget not show when I open my AirPods case?
The widget only appears on an unlocked screen. Make sure your iPhone or iPad is unlocked before opening the case. Also confirm Bluetooth is on in Settings. If it still does not work, restart Bluetooth by toggling it off and on again.
Can I check AirPods battery without opening the case?
Yes. Add the Batteries widget to your home screen, or on Mac click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. On Apple Watch, swipe up to Control Center. All three methods show battery without needing to open the case.
What does it mean if one earbud shows lower battery than the other?
One earbud is being used more or has a slightly weaker battery than the other. The lower percentage tells you which earbud will need charging first. This is normal and does not mean there is a problem.
How long does it take to charge AirPods in the case?
A single earbud charges fully in roughly 15 to 20 minutes inside the case. Both earbuds together take about 30 minutes. The case itself charges via Lightning cable and takes around two hours for a full charge.
Can I use one AirPod while the other charges?
Yes. Place one earbud in the case to charge while you wear the other. After 15 to 20 minutes, swap them. This way you can keep listening while both earbuds charge.