Check AirPods battery on your iPhone or iPad

The fastest way to see your AirPods battery is to open the case near your unlocked iPhone or iPad. A battery widget appears on your 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 to add widgets. Search for "Batteries" and add it. Once installed, the widget shows your AirPods charge whenever you unlock your device with the case nearby.

You can also check battery in Settings. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, and tap the info 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 AirPods appear in the dropdown menu with their current battery percentage next to the name. If you do not see the Bluetooth icon, open System Settings, click General, then Bluetooth, and check the "Show Bluetooth in menu bar" box.

Alternatively, open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, and click the info icon. The battery status for both earbuds and the case appears on the details page.

Check AirPods battery on Android

Android does not display AirPods battery the same way iOS does. You will not see a battery widget or a dedicated status screen. However, you can still pair AirPods with Android phones and tablets — they work for calls and music, but some features like automatic ear detection are limited.

To check the battery on Android, open your AirPods case near your phone. Some Android devices show a notification or pop-up with battery information, but this varies by manufacturer and Android version. Your most reliable option is to check the battery on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac instead, since those devices display the full status.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your AirPods case near an unlocked iPhone or iPad to see a battery widget showing both earbud and case charge levels.
  • On Mac, click the Bluetooth menu icon at the top of the screen to view battery percentage without opening any settings.
  • Android phones can pair with AirPods but do not display battery status reliably, so check battery on an iOS or Mac device instead.
  • If the battery widget does not appear on iPhone, add the Batteries widget from the lock screen widget menu.
  • Settings on iPhone and Mac both show detailed battery information if you prefer not to use the quick widget view.

What the battery percentages mean

Each earbud shows its own battery level separately. If one earbud reads 60% and the other reads 40%, they are draining at different rates — this is normal and does not indicate a problem. The case battery is listed separately and shows how much charge is stored to refill the earbuds.

When an earbud drops below 10%, you will hear a low battery alert in your ear. At that point, place the earbud in the case to charge. The case itself can recharge your earbuds multiple times before the case needs to plug into power.

Troubleshooting when battery does not display

If you open the case and no battery widget appears on iPhone, make sure your AirPods are actually connected. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and confirm your AirPods show as "Connected" rather than just "Available." If they show as available, tap the name to connect them first.

On older iPhones running iOS 16 or earlier, the battery widget may not work the same way. Instead, use the Batteries widget or check Settings > Bluetooth > your AirPods > info icon. If you are using a very old AirPods model (original AirPods from 2016), battery status may not display at all in modern iOS versions.

If your AirPods are not showing in Bluetooth settings at all, forget the device and re-pair them. Open Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device." Then open the case near your phone and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light flashes white.

How often to check your AirPods battery

Check your AirPods battery before long calls, commutes, or travel. If you use them daily for several hours, checking once a week is usually enough to catch low charge before it interrupts your day. If you use them occasionally, check before you leave home.

Keeping your AirPods above 20% charge extends their lifespan over time. Lithium batteries in AirPods degrade faster when they are regularly drained to 0%, so charging them when they reach 10-15% is a good habit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the battery widget not show up when I open my AirPods case?

Your AirPods must be connected to your iPhone or iPad for the widget to appear. Check Settings > Bluetooth to confirm they show as "Connected." If they show as "Available," tap the name to connect them. Also make sure your iPhone is unlocked when you open the case.

Can I see AirPods battery on my Apple Watch?

Yes. On your Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center, then look for the battery percentage display. You can also add a Batteries widget to your watch face for quick access.

What does it mean if one earbud shows much lower battery than the other?

This is normal and happens because one earbud may be used more than the other, or one may have a slightly different battery capacity. Both earbuds will eventually need to charge, but you can keep using them until the lower one runs out.

How long does it take to charge AirPods from the case?

AirPods typically charge to full in about 15 to 30 minutes inside the case, depending on the model. The case itself takes about an hour to charge when plugged into power with a USB-C or Lightning cable.

Will my AirPods still work if the case battery is empty?

Yes. Once your AirPods are fully charged, the case battery does not affect them. The case only matters when you need to recharge the earbuds. You can use fully charged AirPods all day even if the case is at 0%.