Turn on the battery percentage display in Settings
Your iPhone can show you the exact percentage of battery remaining right in the status bar at the top of your screen. By default, most iPhones display only a battery icon, but you can turn on a number that appears next to it. The steps differ slightly depending on which iPhone model you own.
On iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and newer, except the iPhone SE models), open Settings, then tap Battery, then Battery Percentage. Toggle the switch to the on position. The percentage will appear in the top-right corner of your screen next to the battery icon.
On iPhones with a home button (iPhone 8 and earlier, or iPhone SE models), the battery percentage toggle is in the same location: Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage. Turn it on the same way. On these models, the percentage appears in the top-right corner as well, though the exact position depends on whether you have other status icons active.
Key Takeaways
- The battery percentage toggle is found in Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage on all iPhone models.
- Once enabled, the percentage number appears in the status bar at the top of your screen next to the battery icon.
- The setting stays on until you manually turn it off — it does not reset when you restart your phone.
- If you do not see the toggle option, make sure you are running the latest version of iOS for your device.
What the battery percentage display shows you
The percentage number tells you exactly how much charge your battery holds at that moment. A reading of 100% means your battery is fully charged. A reading of 20% means your battery has one-fifth of its capacity remaining. The number updates in real time as you use your phone and as it charges.
This is more precise than the battery icon alone, which shows only a rough visual estimate. The icon may look half-full when your battery is actually at 45%, for example. The percentage removes that guesswork and helps you decide whether to charge now or wait.
Why you might want to turn it on or off
Many people turn on the percentage because they want to know exactly when to charge their phone, especially if they are away from a charger for a while. Seeing 15% remaining tells you more clearly than an icon that you should find a power source soon.
Some people turn it off because they find the extra number clutters the status bar, or because they prefer not to think about battery level throughout the day. There is no performance difference either way — turning the percentage on or off does not affect how fast your phone drains or charges.
The battery percentage and Low Power Mode
When your battery drops to 20%, your iPhone will offer to turn on Low Power Mode, which slows down some features to extend battery life. The percentage display makes it easier to see when you are approaching that 20% threshold. You can also manually enable Low Power Mode at any battery level by going to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode.
Once Low Power Mode is on, your status bar will show a yellow battery icon in addition to the percentage. This visual cue reminds you that your phone is running in a reduced-power state.
Troubleshooting if the toggle does not appear
If you go to Settings > Battery and do not see a Battery Percentage option, your iPhone may be running an older version of iOS. The battery percentage toggle was added in iOS 16. Check your iOS version by going to Settings > General > About and looking at the Software Version field.
If your iOS version is older than 16, you can update it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and following the on-screen steps. Your phone will need to be plugged in or have at least 50% battery to complete the update. After updating, the battery percentage toggle will appear in the Battery settings.
How the battery percentage interacts with widgets and Control Center
The battery percentage in the status bar is separate from the battery widget you can add to your home screen. The widget shows a larger, more detailed view of your battery level and can display the charge status of connected devices like AirPods or an Apple Watch. You can add the battery widget by long-pressing your home screen, tapping the plus icon, and selecting the Battery app.
You can also swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, which displays your iPhone battery percentage at the top. This is useful if you have the status bar percentage turned off but want a quick check of your charge level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning on the battery percentage drain my battery faster?
No. The percentage display is just a number shown in the status bar — it does not consume any meaningful power. Turning it on or off has no effect on how quickly your battery drains.
Can I customize where the battery percentage appears on my screen?
No. Once you turn on the battery percentage, it always appears in the top-right corner of your status bar next to the battery icon. You cannot move it to a different location or change its size.
What if my battery percentage shows 100% but my phone feels slow?
A full battery does not may provide full performance. If your phone is slow, the issue is usually background apps, low storage space, or an older iOS version — not battery charge. Restart your phone or check your storage by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Will the battery percentage reset if I restart my phone?
No. The battery percentage setting stays on after a restart. Once you enable it in Settings, it remains enabled until you manually turn it off.
Why does my battery percentage sometimes jump down suddenly?
Battery percentage can drop suddenly if you are using power-hungry apps like video recording or gaming, or if your phone is in a cold environment. The percentage is a real-time reading, so it reflects your actual charge level at that moment, including the effect of whatever you are doing right then.