Check Battery on Your iPhone or iPad
The easiest way to see your AirPods battery is to open the case near your iPhone or iPad while it is unlocked. A battery widget will pop up on your screen showing the charge level of each earbud and the case itself. This widget stays visible for a few seconds, then disappears.
If the widget does not appear, make sure Bluetooth is turned on and your AirPods are paired to that device. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and confirm your AirPods show as connected. The widget only displays when your AirPods are in range and paired.
You can also check battery in the Control Center. Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones), then look for the battery icon. If you do not see it, go to Settings > Control Center and add the battery widget by tapping the green plus sign next to it.
Key Takeaways
- Open your AirPods case near your unlocked iPhone to see a battery widget showing the charge of both earbuds and the case.
- The battery widget appears for a few seconds automatically when the case opens near your phone.
- You can also view battery percentage in Control Center on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by adding the battery widget to that menu.
- On Apple Watch, open the Control Center and swipe to find the battery percentage for your AirPods.
Check Battery on Your Mac
On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Your AirPods will appear in the dropdown menu with their current battery percentage next to the name. This shows the battery level of whichever earbud has the lower charge.
If you do not see the Bluetooth icon, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions), click Bluetooth, and check the box next to "Show Bluetooth in menu bar." The icon will then appear at the top of your screen.
You can also add a battery widget to your Mac's menu bar. Click Control Center in System Settings, then toggle on "Battery" to see a battery icon at the top of your screen. Click it to view the charge level of your AirPods, iPhone, iPad, and other paired devices.
Check Battery on Your Apple Watch
Swipe up from the bottom of your Apple Watch screen to open Control Center. Scroll through the cards until you see the battery percentage for your AirPods. This shows the charge of the earbud with the lower battery level.
The battery card on your watch updates whenever your AirPods are in range and connected. If your AirPods are not showing in Control Center, make sure they are paired to your watch and Bluetooth is on.
What the Battery Percentages Mean
When you see three battery readings — one for each earbud and one for the case — each number shows the charge percentage of that item. If one earbud shows 45% and the other shows 60%, the earbud at 45% will run out of power first. The case percentage tells you how much charge is stored in the case to top up your earbuds.
A full charge on each earbud lasts about 5 to 6 hours of listening time, depending on volume and whether active noise cancellation is on. The case holds enough charge to refill your earbuds about five times. When the case battery gets low, charge it with the Lightning cable that came with your AirPods.
Troubleshooting When Battery Does Not Show
If the battery widget does not appear when you open your AirPods case, first check that your phone is unlocked. The widget only shows on an unlocked screen. Also confirm that Bluetooth is on and your AirPods are in range — they need to be within about 30 feet of your device.
If Bluetooth is on but your AirPods still do not appear, try forgetting and re-pairing 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 follow the pairing steps. Once paired again, the battery widget should appear.
On Mac, if the Bluetooth menu bar icon is missing, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and make sure the checkbox for "Show Bluetooth in menu bar" is checked. On Apple Watch, restart Control Center by swiping up again if the battery card does not show.
Low Battery Warnings and Notifications
When your AirPods battery drops to 10%, you will hear a voice notification in your ear saying "Low battery." This gives you time to charge them before they shut off. The case will also show a low battery warning if its charge falls below 10%.
You can turn off these voice notifications if you prefer. Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and toggle off "Automatic Ear Detection" or adjust notification settings. However, keeping notifications on helps you avoid being caught with dead AirPods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the battery widget not show when I open my AirPods case?
The widget only appears when your iPhone or iPad is unlocked and Bluetooth is on. Make sure your device is not in lock screen mode. Also check that your AirPods are paired — if they are not connected, the widget will not display.
Can I see the battery of each earbud separately?
Yes. The battery widget shows three separate percentages: one for the left earbud, one for the right earbud, and one for the case. This tells you which earbud will run out of power first.
How often should I charge my AirPods case?
Charge the case whenever its battery drops below 20% to keep your earbuds topped up. A full case charge takes about 15 to 20 minutes with a standard charger. Using a faster charger can reduce this time.
What does it mean if one earbud shows a much lower battery than the other?
This usually means one earbud has been used more or is draining faster due to a hardware issue. If the difference is large and consistent, contact Apple Support — one earbud may need service.
Can I check AirPods battery on Android or Windows?
No. Battery information is only available on Apple devices — iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Android and Windows devices can connect to AirPods but cannot display their battery percentage.