Turn on battery percentage in Settings
The battery percentage appears in the top-right corner of your iPhone screen next to the battery icon. To turn it 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. Your battery percentage will now show as a number next to the battery icon whenever you are on the home screen or in any app.
This setting works on iPhone XS and newer models. Older iPhones do not have this option because their screen design does not leave room for the percentage display. If you own an iPhone X or earlier, you will not see this toggle in your Battery menu, and you will need to use Control Center instead to check your exact charge level.
Key Takeaways
- Battery percentage is found in Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage, and you toggle it on with a single switch.
- The percentage appears in the top-right corner of your screen next to the battery icon at all times once enabled.
- This feature is only available on iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and all newer models.
- Turning on battery percentage does not affect how fast your battery drains or how your phone performs.
- If your iPhone is older than XS, you can still see your battery percentage by opening Control Center from the top-right corner.
Where the battery percentage shows up
Once you turn on battery percentage, the number appears in the status bar at the very top right of your screen. You will see it next to the battery icon, which fills or empties as your charge level changes.
The percentage updates in real time as you use your phone. If you are at 87% and use your phone for a few minutes, the number will drop to 86%, 85%, and so on. This gives you an exact reading instead of guessing based on how full the battery icon looks.
The percentage stays visible whether you are on your home screen, inside an app, or using your phone's camera. The only time it disappears is when you swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center or when you are in full-screen video playback mode.
Why older iPhones cannot show battery percentage
iPhones older than the XS model have a notch or larger bezels at the top of the screen. Apple designed those phones with a smaller status bar that does not have room for both the battery icon and a percentage number side by side.
If you own an iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, or an earlier model, the battery percentage option will not appear in your Settings menu. The only way to see your exact battery level on those phones is to swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, where a larger battery icon shows the percentage inside or next to it.
Using Control Center to check battery on any iPhone
Control Center is available on every iPhone and always shows your battery percentage, regardless of your model. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones) to open Control Center.
The battery icon in Control Center displays the percentage inside or next to it. This is the fastest way to check your battery level without opening Settings. You can open Control Center from the home screen, from inside any app, or even from the lock screen, making it a reliable method for any iPhone user.
Low Power Mode and battery percentage
When your battery drops to 20%, your iPhone will offer to turn on Low Power Mode. This setting reduces performance and background activity to extend how long your phone lasts before it needs to charge.
If you turn on Low Power Mode, the battery icon in the status bar will turn yellow or orange, and the percentage will still display next to it. Low Power Mode does not hide the percentage — it just changes the color of the battery icon to show that power-saving mode is active. You can turn Low Power Mode on or off at any battery level by going to Settings > Battery or by tapping the battery icon in Control Center.
Troubleshooting if battery percentage does not appear
If you turned on battery percentage but the number is not showing, restart your iPhone. Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.
If the percentage still does not show after a restart, check that you are using iPhone XS or newer. Go back to Settings > Battery and confirm that the Battery Percentage toggle is green and switched on. If the toggle is already on, try switching it off and back on again. If you are still not seeing the percentage after these steps, your iPhone may need a software update, which you can check in Settings > General > Software Update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does showing battery percentage drain my battery faster?
No. Displaying the percentage uses almost no power. The number updates based on information your phone already tracks, so turning it on does not add any drain to your battery.
Can I see battery percentage on the lock screen?
The percentage does not appear on the lock screen itself, only in the status bar at the top when you unlock your phone. To check your battery on the lock screen, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, which shows the battery percentage.
What if my iPhone is too old to support battery percentage?
Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on iPhone 8 and older). The battery icon there shows your percentage. This works on every iPhone model.
Why does my battery percentage sometimes jump down suddenly?
Battery percentage can drop quickly when your phone is under heavy load — running multiple apps, using the camera, or playing games. This is normal. The percentage will stabilize once you stop using power-hungry features.
Will battery percentage show if my phone is in Dark Mode?
Yes. Battery percentage displays in the status bar regardless of whether Dark Mode is on or off. The number and icon remain visible and readable in both light and dark themes.