Where to Find Your Battery Percentage on Screen

The quickest way to see how much charge your iPhone has left is to look at the battery icon in the top-right corner of your screen. On iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and newer), the battery percentage appears as a number next to a small battery shape. On older iPhones with a home button, swipe down from the top-left corner to open Control Center, and you'll see the battery percentage displayed there.

If you want the percentage to always show in the status bar, go to Settings, tap Battery, then turn on Battery Percentage. This adds the number next to your battery icon so you don't have to open Control Center each time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your battery percentage appears in the top-right corner on newer iPhones, or in Control Center on older models.
  • Battery Health shows the maximum charge your battery can hold compared to when it was new, found in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Safety.
  • A battery below 80% health will slow down your phone's performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns.
  • Charging to 100% regularly and leaving your phone plugged in overnight both wear out the battery faster over time.
  • If your battery health drops below 50%, Apple can replace the battery for a fee, or for free if your iPhone is under warranty.

Checking Battery Health in Settings

Your battery's health is different from your current charge. Health tells you how much total power your battery can hold now compared to when it was brand new. To check it, open Settings, tap Battery, then select Battery Health & Safety.

You'll see a percentage labeled Maximum Capacity. A new iPhone battery is at 100%. Over time, this number drops—this is normal. When it falls below 80%, your iPhone may slow down to protect the battery and prevent sudden power loss. If you see a message saying "Service Recommended" or "Service Battery," your battery is degraded enough that Apple suggests replacement.

The same screen shows Condition, which tells you whether your battery is Normal, Degraded, or needs Service. This is Apple's assessment of whether the battery is still working as intended or has developed a problem.

Understanding What Battery Health Numbers Mean

Battery health percentages fall into rough ranges. A battery at 90% or higher is performing like new. Between 80% and 89%, your battery is still healthy but starting to age—you may notice your phone doesn't last quite as long on a single charge. Below 80%, your iPhone will intentionally run slower to extend battery life and prevent crashes.

If your battery drops to 50% or lower, Apple will replace it. The cost varies depending on your iPhone model and whether you have AppleCare+, but replacement typically costs between $50 and $70 without coverage. If your iPhone is still under the one-year limited warranty and the battery is defective (not just worn from normal use), replacement is free.

Keep in mind that a battery at 70% health is still usable—it just holds less charge than it did new. Many people use iPhones with batteries in the 60–70% range without problems. The slowdown kicks in at 80% to prevent the phone from shutting down unexpectedly when the battery can't deliver power fast enough.

Why Your Battery Health Drops Over Time

Every time you charge your iPhone, the battery goes through a charge cycle. Apple counts one cycle as using 100% of your battery's capacity—this might be one full charge, or it might be 50% one day and 50% the next day. Lithium batteries, which iPhones use, lose capacity after a certain number of cycles, usually between 300 and 500 before noticeable wear appears.

Heat is the biggest enemy of battery health. Leaving your phone in a hot car, using it while charging, or keeping it plugged in overnight regularly will degrade the battery faster. Charging to 100% every time also wears the battery more than keeping it between 20% and 80%. If you want to extend battery life, charge to 80% when possible and avoid letting it sit at 100% for hours.

Cold temperatures also slow down your battery temporarily, but this is reversible—the battery bounces back once it warms up. Heat causes permanent damage, so if your iPhone feels hot while charging, unplug it and let it cool down.

Using Low Power Mode to Extend Battery Life

When your battery is running low, Low Power Mode reduces how much power your phone uses. You can turn it on manually in Settings > Battery, or set your iPhone to turn it on automatically when your battery reaches a certain level. Low Power Mode slows down background activity, reduces screen brightness slightly, and limits some features like mail fetch and app refresh.

Turning on Low Power Mode doesn't damage your battery—it just makes your phone use less power so the charge lasts longer. You can use it whenever you want, even at 100% charge, without any downside. Many people keep it on all the time to stretch their battery between charges.

What to Do If Your Battery Health Is Poor

If your battery health is below 80% and you're noticing your phone shuts down unexpectedly or won't hold a charge, you have a few options. The simplest is to visit an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider and ask about battery replacement. Bring your iPhone and be ready to show your battery health in Settings—the technician will confirm the reading and discuss cost and timing.

If you have AppleCare+, battery replacement is covered at no cost as long as the battery isn't damaged by physical impact or liquid. Without AppleCare+, you'll pay the standard service fee. Some carriers and retailers also offer battery replacement, sometimes at a lower cost than Apple, but Apple's service comes with a one-year warranty on the replacement battery.

If your battery health is still above 80% but you're frustrated with how quickly your phone drains, the issue may not be the battery itself—it could be a background app using too much power, or your screen brightness set too high. Check Settings > Battery > Battery Usage to see which apps are consuming the most power, and close or uninstall any that are draining faster than expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I check my battery health?

Once every few months is enough for most people. If you notice your phone shutting down unexpectedly or draining very fast, check it right away. Otherwise, there's no need to monitor it constantly—battery degradation is gradual and expected.

Can I improve my battery health after it drops?

No, battery health only goes down over time. You cannot restore capacity to a worn battery. You can slow down future degradation by avoiding heat, not charging to 100% regularly, and using Low Power Mode, but the damage that's already done is permanent.

Is it bad to leave my iPhone plugged in overnight?

Leaving it plugged in occasionally won't cause when ready damage, but doing it regularly will wear out your battery faster. Modern iPhones slow down charging once they reach 100%, but the battery still sits at full capacity for hours, which stresses the cells. If you charge overnight often, your battery health will degrade sooner than someone who unplugs at 100%.

What's the difference between battery percentage and battery health?

Battery percentage is how much charge you have right now—like a gas tank showing a quarter full. Battery health is how much total charge the battery can hold compared to when it was new. You can have 50% charge but 85% health, meaning your battery is aging normally but still has half its current capacity available.

Should I replace my battery if it's at 85% health?

Not unless you're experiencing problems. A battery at 85% is still healthy and will last through a normal day. Most people don't replace until they hit 70% or lower, or until the phone starts shutting down unexpectedly. If your phone is working fine, there's no urgent reason to replace it.