The fastest way to see your battery percentage
The quickest method is to swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, where the battery percentage appears next to the battery icon. This works on iPhone X and newer models. If you have an iPhone 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead.
Control Center shows your current battery level in a single number — for example, "87%" — so you can check it without opening Settings. The display updates in real time as you use your phone.
If you want the percentage to stay visible on your home screen at all times, you can enable Battery Percentage in Settings, which places the number directly in the status bar at the top of your screen.
Key Takeaways
- Control Center (swipe from top-right on iPhone X and newer, or from bottom on iPhone 8 and earlier) shows your battery percentage when ready.
- Enabling Battery Percentage in Settings displays the number permanently in your status bar, so you can see it without opening Control Center.
- The setting is found under Settings > Battery, and the toggle is called "Battery Percentage".
- Low Power Mode, also in Settings > Battery, extends your phone's runtime when the battery drops below 20 percent.
How to turn on Battery Percentage in Settings
Open the Settings app and tap Battery. Look for the toggle labeled "Battery Percentage" and turn it on. The number will appear in the status bar at the top right of your screen (or top left on some older models), next to the battery icon.
Once enabled, the percentage stays visible whenever you are using your phone, so you do not have to open Control Center each time. The number updates as your battery drains or charges.
If you later want to hide the percentage and see only the battery icon, return to Settings > Battery and turn the toggle off.
Why your battery percentage might not show in Control Center
If you open Control Center and see only a battery icon without a number, your iPhone model may not support the percentage display in that location. iPhone 8 and earlier models show the percentage only in the status bar at the top of the screen, not in Control Center.
On these older models, enable Battery Percentage in Settings > Battery to see the number in your status bar. You can then check it at a glance without opening any menus.
Using Low Power Mode to extend battery life
When your battery drops to 20 percent, your iPhone will prompt you to turn on Low Power Mode. You can also enable it manually at any time by going to Settings > Battery and toggling on Low Power Mode.
Low Power Mode reduces performance and limits background activity to extend your phone's runtime. Email refreshes less often, visual effects are reduced, and some features like 5G may be disabled. Most people can still use their phone normally, but it will run slower.
Your status bar will turn yellow when Low Power Mode is active, so you know the setting is on. When you charge your phone to 80 percent or higher, Low Power Mode turns off automatically.
Checking battery health in Settings
Beyond the current percentage, you can see how much your battery has degraded over time. Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. This screen shows your Maximum Capacity — the percentage of the battery's original charge that it can still hold.
A new iPhone typically shows 100 percent. Over months and years, this number drops. At 80 percent capacity, your phone will still work, but it may not last as long between charges. Apple recommends service when capacity falls below 80 percent.
This screen also shows Cycle Count on some models, which tells you how many complete charge cycles your battery has gone through.
Battery percentage on the lock screen
On iPhone 12 and newer, you can add a battery widget to your lock screen that displays the percentage. Swipe right on your lock screen to open the widgets panel, tap the plus button, search for Battery, and add the widget.
The battery widget shows your iPhone's charge level and also displays the charge levels of any connected devices, such as AirPods or an Apple Watch. This gives you a quick overview without unlocking your phone.
Older iPhone models do not support lock screen widgets, so the status bar percentage or Control Center remain your best options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone show only the battery icon and not the percentage?
Battery Percentage is turned off in Settings. Open Settings > Battery, find the Battery Percentage toggle, and turn it on. On iPhone 8 and earlier, the percentage will then appear in the status bar at the top of your screen.
Does turning on Battery Percentage drain my battery faster?
No. Displaying the percentage in your status bar uses negligible power. The setting has no meaningful effect on how long your battery lasts between charges.
Can I see battery percentage for my AirPods or Apple Watch?
Yes. Open Control Center and look at the battery section, which shows the charge level of all connected devices. You can also add a battery widget to your lock screen on iPhone 12 and newer to see all device batteries at once.
What does "Maximum Capacity" mean in Battery Health?
Maximum Capacity is the percentage of your battery's original charge that it can still hold after wear. A new battery is 100 percent. Over time, this number drops — for example, to 85 percent after a year of normal use. At 80 percent or lower, the battery may need service.