Where to find your iPhone battery information
Open Settings, then tap Battery or Battery and Device Management (the name depends on your iOS version). You will see two things: the percentage of charge remaining right now, and a section called Battery Health & Charging. Tap that section to see the detailed information about how much capacity your battery has lost over time.
The battery percentage appears at the top of the screen in the status bar, but the real health data — the number that tells you whether your battery is degrading — lives only in Settings. You cannot check it from the lock screen or Control Center.
Key Takeaways
- Battery health percentage shows in Settings under Battery or Battery and Device Management, and it tells you how much capacity your battery has lost compared to when it was new.
- A battery at 80 percent health or above is normal; below 80 percent means the battery is aging and may need replacement sooner.
- Battery usage by app appears in the same Settings section and shows which programs are draining power the most.
- Checking battery health takes 30 seconds and requires no special tools or downloads.
Understanding the battery health percentage
The number you see — for example, 87% — represents how much of the battery's original capacity remains. A new iPhone battery is at 100 percent. Over months and years of charging, that number drops. This is normal and expected.
Apple considers a battery at 80 percent health or higher to be in good condition. If your battery has dropped below 80 percent, the phone will still work, but it may not hold a charge as long as it did when new. If it drops below 80 percent within the first year, Apple will replace it for free under warranty.
At around 50 percent health, you may notice the phone shuts down unexpectedly even when the battery percentage shows 20 or 30 percent remaining. This happens because the battery cannot deliver power fast enough anymore. A replacement battery solves this problem.
How to see which apps are using the most battery
In the same Battery settings section, scroll down to find Battery Usage by App. This list shows which programs have used the most power in the last 24 hours or the last 10 days — you can switch between the two views at the top.
If one app is using far more battery than others, that app may have a problem, or you may be using it heavily. Closing the app or restarting your phone often fixes a single app that suddenly drains power. If the problem continues, check whether the app has an update in the App Store.
Apps that run in the background — like maps, location services, or music streaming — will naturally use more battery than apps you open and close quickly. This is not a sign of a problem unless the usage is much higher than you expect.
What "Charging" information tells you
Below Battery Health, you will see a section labeled Charging. This shows whether optimized battery charging is turned on. When this feature is enabled, your phone learns your charging habits and slows down charging to 80 percent overnight, then finishes the last 20 percent closer to when you wake up. This reduces the stress on the battery and helps it last longer.
You can turn optimized battery charging off if you prefer your phone to charge to 100 percent when ready, but leaving it on extends the life of your battery. The trade-off is worth it for most people.
When to check your battery and what to do with the information
Check your battery health once every few months, or whenever you notice the phone is not holding a charge as long as it used to. There is no need to check it constantly — the health number changes slowly, over weeks and months.
If your battery health is above 80 percent, your battery is fine and you do not need to do anything. If it is between 70 and 80 percent, the battery is aging normally and you can continue using the phone. If it drops below 70 percent, consider having the battery replaced, especially if the phone is more than two years old.
Battery replacement costs vary by iPhone model and whether you have AppleCare coverage. You can get a replacement at an Apple Store, an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or through Apple's mail-in repair service. Third-party repair shops also offer battery replacement, often at a lower cost, though the quality and warranty vary.
Low Power Mode and how it affects battery life
When your battery percentage drops to 20 percent, iOS will suggest Low Power Mode. You can also turn it on manually in Settings under Battery. When Low Power Mode is active, your phone reduces performance, limits background activity, and disables some features like automatic downloads and mail fetching.
Low Power Mode can extend your battery life by several hours, but it makes the phone slower. It is useful when you are away from a charger and need the phone to last until evening, but it is not a permanent solution for a battery that is draining too quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my battery health dropping so fast?
Fast battery degradation usually means you are charging the phone in hot conditions, leaving it plugged in overnight constantly, or using demanding apps heavily. Lithium batteries degrade faster in heat and when kept at 100 percent charge. Try charging in a cooler room and using Low Power Mode during heavy use.
Is 75 percent battery health bad?
No. Seventy-five percent is normal for a phone that is one to two years old. Apple considers 80 percent and above optimal, but batteries at 75 percent still work well. You do not need to replace it unless the phone is shutting down unexpectedly or not holding a charge through a full day.
Can I replace my iPhone battery myself?
Apple does not sell batteries for consumers to install themselves, and opening an iPhone voids the warranty. An Apple Store or authorized service provider can replace it for you. Some third-party repair shops offer DIY kits, but the quality varies and you lose water resistance if the seal is not replaced correctly.
Does turning off background app refresh help battery life?
Yes, but only slightly. Turning off background app refresh in Settings under General will reduce battery drain from apps that check for updates when you are not using them. The effect is usually small unless you have many apps with background activity enabled.
What does "peak performance capability" mean in battery settings?
This message appears when the battery is too degraded to deliver power fast enough for the phone to run at full speed. It means the battery needs replacement soon. The phone will continue to work, but you may notice slowdowns during heavy use.