Turn on battery percentage in Settings
Your iPhone can display the exact battery percentage next to the battery icon in the top-right corner of your screen. To turn this on, open Settings and tap Battery.
In the Battery menu, look for Battery Percentage and toggle it on. The switch will turn green when it is active. Once enabled, you will see a number like "87%" appear next to the battery icon whenever you look at your status bar.
This setting works on iPhone 11 and newer models. If you have an older iPhone with a notch at the top of the screen, the percentage may not display in the status bar itself, but you can still see it by swiping down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
Key Takeaways
- Battery percentage is turned on through Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage toggle.
- The percentage appears in the top-right corner next to the battery icon on iPhone 11 and newer.
- On older iPhones with a notch, you can see the percentage by opening Control Center from the top-right corner.
- Once enabled, the percentage updates in real time as your battery drains throughout the day.
- You can turn the percentage off the same way you turned it on by toggling the switch back to off.
Where to find the battery percentage after you enable it
After you toggle on Battery Percentage in Settings, look at the top-right corner of your iPhone screen. You will see the battery icon — a small rectangle — with a number inside or next to it showing your current charge level.
The percentage updates constantly as you use your phone. If you drain the battery quickly while using a demanding app, you will see the number drop in real time. The percentage is most useful when you are away from a charger and need to know how much time you have left before your phone shuts down.
Check battery percentage without enabling the status bar display
If you do not want the percentage cluttering your status bar, you can still see your battery level without turning on the setting. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. The battery percentage appears in the top-right corner of Control Center, below the time.
This method takes one extra swipe but keeps your status bar cleaner. Many people prefer this approach because the percentage is still straightforward to find when they need it, but it does not take up permanent space at the top of the screen.
Why your battery percentage might not show even after enabling it
If you turned on Battery Percentage but still do not see a number in your status bar, check which iPhone model you own. The setting only displays the percentage in the status bar on iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and newer models. Older iPhones do not have room for the percentage in the status bar because of the notch design.
On older models, the percentage will still appear in Control Center when you swipe down from the top-right corner. If you have a newer iPhone and the percentage still is not showing, restart your phone by powering it off and back on. Sometimes the setting needs a restart to take effect.
Battery percentage and low power mode
When your battery drops to 20 percent, your iPhone will offer to turn on Low Power Mode. This mode slows down your phone's performance to extend battery life. The percentage display is especially useful during this time because you can watch how much charge you have left and decide whether to find a charger soon.
When Low Power Mode is on, the battery icon in your status bar turns yellow or orange. The percentage number stays visible and continues to update, so you always know exactly how much time you have before your phone shuts down completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does showing battery percentage drain my battery faster?
No. Displaying the percentage uses almost no power. The setting straightforward shows a number that your iPhone is already calculating internally. Turning it on or off will not noticeably change how long your battery lasts.
Can I customize the color or size of the battery percentage?
No. The percentage appears in the same white text as the rest of your status bar and uses the system font size. You cannot change its color, size, or position through Settings. If you want a different look, you would need to use a custom lock screen widget in iOS 16 and newer, which can display battery information in different styles.
Why does my battery percentage sometimes jump from one number to another?
Battery percentages are estimates based on voltage and usage patterns, not exact measurements. Your iPhone recalibrates the estimate as you use it, which can cause the percentage to jump down a few points suddenly. This is normal and does not mean your battery is failing. If the jumps are extreme, you may need to recalibrate your battery by fully draining and recharging your phone.
Will turning off battery percentage save space on my screen?
Yes, but only a small amount. The percentage takes up roughly the width of two characters in your status bar. If you have many apps running and notifications showing, turning off the percentage might give you slightly more room for other icons, but most people will not notice the difference.