Check 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 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 to add it. Select Batteries, then choose your AirPods from the list. Once added, open your AirPods case near your phone and the widget updates within seconds.

You can also check battery in Settings. Go to Settings > 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 the next screen.

Check battery on your Mac

Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Your AirPods appear in the dropdown list with their current battery percentage next to the name. If you do not see the Bluetooth icon, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and turn it on.

On older Macs running earlier versions of macOS, the Bluetooth menu may show only "Connected" without a percentage. In that case, open System Preferences > Bluetooth, select your AirPods, and look for battery information in the details panel.

Check battery on your Apple Watch

Swipe down from the top of your Apple Watch screen to open Control Center. Look for the battery icon and tap it. Your connected AirPods battery percentage appears in the list alongside your watch and phone batteries.

If your AirPods do not show in Control Center, make sure they are paired with your watch. Go to the Watch app on your iPhone, select Bluetooth, and confirm your AirPods are listed as connected.

Use Siri to check battery

Say "Hey Siri, what is the battery level of my AirPods?" on any Apple device. Siri responds with the percentage for each earbud and the case. This works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch without opening any menus.

Siri's response is fastest if you have already worn your AirPods recently. If they have been in the case for days, wake them first by taking them out, then ask Siri again for an accurate reading.

Understand what the percentages mean

Each earbud shows its own battery level separately. If one earbud reads 40% and the other reads 85%, 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 remains to top up your earbuds.

When an earbud drops below 10%, your AirPods play a low-battery tone. At 5% or lower, they shut down. The case can recharge a fully drained earbud to 100% in about 15 minutes, though a full charge from the case takes roughly an hour.

Troubleshoot when battery does not show

If your AirPods battery percentage does not appear, first check that Bluetooth is on and your AirPods are connected. Disconnect and reconnect them: go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device." Then open your AirPods case near your phone and pair them again.

If the battery still does not display, restart your iPhone or Mac. For AirPods Pro, hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white — this resets the earbuds. Pair them again and check battery status.

Key Takeaways

  • Open your AirPods case near your iPhone to see battery percentage on the lock screen widget, or check Settings > Bluetooth for the same information.
  • On Mac, click the Bluetooth menu bar icon to view your AirPods battery in the dropdown list.
  • Apple Watch users can swipe down to Control Center and tap the battery icon to see AirPods charge level.
  • Say "Hey Siri, what is the battery level of my AirPods?" on any Apple device for an when ready spoken response.
  • Each earbud shows its own percentage separately, and the case battery is listed on its own line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does one AirPod show lower battery than the other?

Each earbud drains at its own rate depending on how much you use it and how old the battery is. If you wear one earbud more than the other, that one will show lower charge. This is normal and does not mean one earbud is broken.

Can I check my AirPods battery without unlocking my phone?

Yes. Open your AirPods case near your locked iPhone and the battery widget appears on the lock screen. You do not need to unlock the phone or open any app.

What should I do if my AirPods battery shows 0% but they still work?

The battery reading may lag by a few seconds. Put your AirPods back in the case for 30 seconds, then take them out and check again. If they still show 0% but play sound, they have enough charge to function for a short time before shutting down.

Does the battery percentage update in real time?

The battery percentage updates when you open your AirPods case near your phone or when you check the Bluetooth menu. It does not update continuously while you are wearing them. Check again after a few minutes of use to see the updated level.