Check 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 it is unlocked. A battery widget appears on your screen showing the charge level of each earbud and the case itself. This works whether your AirPods are inside the case or already in your ears.

If the widget does not appear, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, then look for the battery percentage there. On older iPad models, swipe up from the bottom instead. The battery display updates within a few seconds of opening the case.

You can also check battery in the Settings app. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list of connected devices, and tap the information icon next to the name. The screen shows the charge percentage for both earbuds and the case.

Check battery on your Mac

On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Your AirPods appear in the dropdown menu with their current battery percentage listed next to the name. This is the quickest method on a computer.

If you do not see the Bluetooth icon, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions), click Bluetooth, and find your AirPods in the list. The battery level displays next to each device name. You can also check the battery widget in Notification Center by clicking the date and time in the top-right corner.

Check battery on your Apple Watch

Open the Control Center on your Apple Watch by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Look for the battery percentage display, which shows your watch battery and any connected device batteries, including AirPods. The AirPods battery appears as a separate line if they are paired with that watch.

Alternatively, open the Batteries app on your Apple Watch if it is installed. This dedicated app shows the charge level of your AirPods, Apple Watch, and any other paired devices in one place.

Key Takeaways

  • Opening your AirPods case near an unlocked iPhone or iPad displays a battery widget showing both earbud and case charge levels when ready.
  • On a Mac, click the Bluetooth menu icon to see AirPods battery percentage without opening any settings.
  • The Settings app on iPhone or the Bluetooth settings on Mac provide battery information if the quick-access widgets do not appear.
  • Apple Watch users can check AirPods battery through Control Center or the dedicated Batteries app.

Why your battery display might not show

If you open your AirPods case and no battery widget appears on your iPhone, the case may be out of range or your AirPods may not be paired with that device. Move the case closer to your phone and try again. The widget only displays when your device recognizes the case nearby.

On Mac, the Bluetooth menu might not show battery percentages if your AirPods are connected to a different device at that moment. Disconnect them from your iPhone or iPad first, then reconnect to your Mac. Some older AirPods models also do not report battery percentage to Mac — in that case, check your iPhone instead.

Battery percentage versus low-battery warnings

Your AirPods will play a sound and send a notification when the battery drops to 10 percent. This warning gives you time to charge before they shut down completely. The exact charge level at which this warning triggers can vary slightly depending on your AirPods model and how heavily you are using them.

When the battery reaches zero, your AirPods stop working but do not lose any stored settings or pairing information. straightforward place them in the case to charge, and they resume working once they have enough power.

How long AirPods hold a charge

Standard AirPods typically run for about 5 to 6 hours on a single charge during normal use. AirPods Pro last around 6 hours, and AirPods Max can run for up to 20 hours. These times vary based on volume level, active noise cancellation settings, and how much you use Siri or phone calls.

The charging case extends total listening time significantly. A full case charge adds multiple additional charges — standard AirPods get roughly 24 hours total, AirPods Pro get around 30 hours, and AirPods Max get up to 80 hours across multiple charges. Checking your battery regularly helps you plan when to charge the case so you do not run out during the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPhone show different battery percentages for each earbud?

If one earbud has been used more than the other or was charged separately, they can have different charge levels. This is normal. Both earbuds will work as long as at least one has power, though sound quality may be affected if one is nearly dead.

Can I check AirPods battery without opening the case?

Yes. Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods, and tap the information icon. You can also check Control Center on your Mac by clicking the Bluetooth menu. The case battery level only appears when you open the case near your device.

What does it mean if the battery widget shows a red X?

A red X typically means your AirPods are not currently connected to that device or are out of range. Move them closer and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. If the problem persists, forget the AirPods in Bluetooth settings and pair them again.

Do AirPods Max show battery the same way as regular AirPods?

Yes. Open Control Center on your iPhone or Mac, or swipe down from the top-right corner on iPad. AirPods Max battery appears in the same widget as other AirPods models. The headband does not have a physical case, so the battery display only shows the headphones themselves, not a separate case.