Check AirPods Battery on Your iPhone

The fastest way to see your AirPods battery is to open the case near your unlocked iPhone. A battery widget appears on your lock screen or home screen showing the charge level of each earbud and the case itself. This works with AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirPods (2nd generation and later), and AirPods Pro (2nd generation).

If the widget does not appear, swipe to your lock screen and tap the plus button in the lower left corner. Search for "Batteries" and add the Batteries widget. Once added, you can see all your Apple device batteries in one place, including your AirPods, by swiping left on your lock screen.

You can also check battery in the Settings app. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list of connected devices, and tap the information icon next to the name. The battery percentage for each earbud and the case displays on that screen.

Check AirPods Battery on Mac

On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Your connected AirPods appear in the dropdown menu with their current battery percentage next to the name. This is the quickest method and works whether your Mac is plugged in or on battery.

If you do not see the Bluetooth icon in your menu bar, open System Settings, click General, then Bluetooth, and toggle it on. You can also check the box that says "Show Bluetooth in menu bar" so the icon stays visible.

Check AirPods Battery on Apple Watch

Open the Control Center on your Apple Watch by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Look for the Batteries icon (it looks like a battery symbol) and tap it. Your AirPods battery percentage displays along with your watch battery and any other connected devices.

If you do not see the Batteries icon, you can add it to Control Center. Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to Control Center, and scroll down to find Batteries. Tap the plus sign next to it to add it to your Control Center.

What the Battery Percentages Mean

Each earbud shows its own battery level separately. If one earbud reads 60% and the other reads 45%, they are draining at different rates — this is normal and does not mean one earbud is failing. The case battery shows how much charge is stored in the case itself, which is used to recharge the earbuds when you put them back inside.

When an earbud drops below 10%, you will see a low battery notification on your device. At that point, you have roughly 1 to 2 hours of listening time left, depending on your model and settings. Putting the earbud back in the case when ready starts recharging it.

Charging Your AirPods When Battery Is Low

Place your AirPods in the charging case and close the lid. The case itself must have charge — if the case battery is at 0%, neither the case nor the earbuds will charge. Check the case battery percentage before assuming your earbuds are broken.

Charging times vary by model. AirPods Pro (2nd generation) charge to 80% in about 20 minutes and reach full charge in roughly 1 hour. Standard AirPods take about 15 minutes to reach 80% charge. AirPods Max take approximately 2 hours for a full charge from empty.

Why One AirPod Drains Faster Than the Other

Uneven battery drain is common and usually not a sign of damage. The earbud you use more often or the one that handles more of the audio processing will drain slightly faster. If you primarily listen with one ear, that earbud's battery will drop noticeably quicker than the other.

Bluetooth signal strength also affects drain. If one earbud has a weaker connection to your device, it works harder to maintain the link and drains faster. Moving closer to your phone or watch can help balance the drain between both earbuds.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your AirPods case near your unlocked iPhone to see a battery widget showing the charge level of each earbud and the case.
  • On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and your AirPods battery percentage appears in the dropdown menu.
  • On Apple Watch, swipe up to open Control Center and tap the Batteries icon to view your AirPods charge level.
  • Each earbud drains at its own rate, and uneven battery levels between the two earbuds are normal and do not indicate a problem.
  • When battery drops below 10%, you have roughly 1 to 2 hours of listening time remaining before the earbud shuts off.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Each earbud has its own battery and drains independently based on how much you use it and the strength of its Bluetooth connection. If you favor one ear, that earbud will drain faster. This is normal and does not mean one earbud is defective.

Can I check my AirPods battery without opening the case?

Yes. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods, and tap the info icon. On Mac, click the Bluetooth menu bar icon. On Apple Watch, open Control Center and tap Batteries. You do not need to open the case to see the charge level.

What should I do if the battery percentage does not update?

Disconnect your AirPods from your device and reconnect them. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on iPhone, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device." Then place your AirPods near your iPhone and follow the pairing steps again. The battery percentage should refresh.

How long does it take to fully charge AirPods?

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) take about 1 hour from empty to full. Standard AirPods take roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour. AirPods Max take approximately 2 hours. Charging speed depends on whether you use a standard charger or a faster power adapter.