Turn on battery percentage in Settings
Your iPhone can show the exact percentage of battery remaining right in the status bar at the top of your screen. This takes about 30 seconds to turn on and works on most recent iPhone models.
Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Battery, then tap Battery Health & Charging. Look for the toggle next to Battery Percentage and turn it on. The percentage will appear when ready next to the battery icon in your status bar.
On iPhone X and newer models, the percentage shows inside the battery icon itself at the top right. On iPhone 8 and earlier, it appears to the left of the battery icon. Either way, you will see a number like "87%" whenever you look at the top of your screen.
Key Takeaways
- Battery percentage is turned on through Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, then toggling Battery Percentage on.
- On iPhone X and newer, the percentage displays inside the battery icon; on iPhone 8 and earlier, it shows to the left of the icon.
- Once enabled, the percentage updates in real time as your battery drains or charges.
- You can turn this setting off the same way if you prefer to see only the battery icon without a number.
Where the percentage appears on your screen
The location of the battery percentage depends on your iPhone model. If you have an iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or any newer model, the percentage sits inside the battery icon itself in the top right corner of your screen. You will see something like a small battery shape with "87%" written inside it.
If you have an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or an older model, the percentage appears as a number to the left of the battery icon. Both placements are equally straightforward to read at a glance. The number updates every few seconds as your battery drains, so you always see your current charge level.
What to do if the toggle is grayed out
On rare occasions, the Battery Percentage toggle may appear grayed out or inactive. This usually means your iPhone is running an older version of iOS. Check your iOS version by going to Settings > General > About and looking at the System Version number.
If your iOS version is older than iOS 16, you may not have access to this setting. Update your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Software Update and following the prompts. After updating, return to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and the toggle should be active.
The battery percentage in Control Center
Even if you do not turn on the status bar percentage, you can always see your exact battery level by opening Control Center. Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones), and the battery percentage appears near the top of the panel.
This is useful if you want to check your battery without keeping the percentage visible all the time. Some people turn off the status bar percentage to reduce visual clutter, then check Control Center when they need the exact number.
Why you might want to turn it off
Some iPhone users prefer not to display the percentage in the status bar because it takes up space or because they find the battery icon alone is enough information. If you decide you do not want to see the percentage, straightforward return to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and toggle Battery Percentage off.
The battery icon will remain in your status bar, but the number will disappear. You can turn it back on anytime using the same steps. There is no penalty for switching this setting on and off repeatedly.
Checking battery health alongside the percentage
While you are in the Battery Health & Charging section of Settings, you will also see your Battery Health information. This shows the maximum capacity of your battery as a percentage — for example, "Normal" or "80% Maximum Capacity." This is different from your current charge level.
Current charge level is how much power your battery has right now (the percentage in your status bar). Battery health is how much power your battery can hold compared to when it was new. A battery at 80% health can still charge to 100%, but 100% on an old battery is less power than 100% on a new one. Both numbers are worth checking if your iPhone is draining faster than usual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my battery percentage disappear after I turn it on?
This usually happens if you restart your iPhone right after enabling the setting. Wait a few minutes after turning on Battery Percentage before restarting. If it still disappears, go back to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and toggle it off and on again.
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 of your screen. You can see it on the lock screen by looking at the top right corner, but it is the same percentage shown everywhere else on your phone.
Does showing battery percentage drain my battery faster?
No. Displaying the percentage in your status bar uses no measurable amount of power. It is straightforward a visual display of information your phone is already tracking.
What if my iPhone model is not listed in Settings?
Very old iPhone models (iPhone 6s and earlier) do not have the Battery Health & Charging section in Settings. On these phones, you can only see battery percentage in Control Center or by using the battery icon as a guide.