Turn on battery percentage in Settings
The battery percentage appears in the top-right corner of your iPhone screen, next to the battery icon. By default, many iPhones show only the icon without the number. To see the actual percentage, you need to turn it on in Settings.
Open Settings, then tap Battery. Look for Battery Percentage and toggle it on. The percentage will appear when ready next to your battery icon in the status bar. This takes effect right away — you do not need to restart your phone.
This setting works on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and all newer models. If you have an older iPhone with a home button, the battery percentage is already visible in the status bar and cannot be hidden. Those older models do not have a toggle because the percentage display is permanent.
Key Takeaways
- Battery percentage is found in Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage, toggled on with a single switch.
- The percentage shows in the top-right corner next to the battery icon once enabled.
- iPhones with a home button (iPhone 8 and earlier) always display the percentage and have no toggle.
- You can also see your battery percentage in Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner.
- The battery icon itself changes color — green when charging, yellow when Low Power Mode is on, red when critically low.
Check battery percentage without enabling the status bar display
If you do not want the percentage visible all the time, you can still check it whenever you need to. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center. Your battery percentage appears at the top of the Control Center panel, displayed as a number next to a battery icon.
This method is useful if you prefer a cleaner status bar but want quick access to the number. Control Center opens in less than a second and closes automatically when you tap elsewhere on the screen. Many users find this approach strikes a balance between keeping the status bar uncluttered and having battery information readily available.
You can also check your battery percentage in the Settings app itself. Go to Settings > Battery to see your current percentage, along with information about which apps have used the most power in the last 24 hours or the last 10 days.
What the battery icon colors mean
The battery icon itself tells you something about your phone's state, separate from the percentage number. A green icon means your phone is plugged in and charging. A yellow icon means Low Power Mode is active, which reduces performance to extend battery life.
A red icon means your battery is critically low, usually below 20 percent. When the battery drops below 1 percent, your phone will shut down automatically to protect the battery itself. The color change happens automatically — you do not need to do anything to trigger it.
Why your battery percentage might not appear
If you toggled Battery Percentage on but the number still does not show, 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 appear after a restart, check that you are running the latest iOS version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available update. Outdated software occasionally causes display glitches that prevent the percentage from showing even when the toggle is on.
Another less common cause is a screen protector or case that covers the status bar area. If you recently added a new screen protector, try removing it to see if the percentage becomes visible. Some third-party screen protectors are not cut precisely enough to leave the status bar clear.
Battery percentage on the lock screen
Starting with iOS 16, you can also display battery percentage on your lock screen. Long-press your lock screen to enter edit mode, then tap Customize. Tap the lock screen widgets area and add the Battery widget. The percentage will appear on your lock screen even when your phone is locked.
This is separate from the status bar percentage. You can have both enabled at once, or just the lock screen version, or neither. The lock screen widget is larger and easier to read at a glance, and it updates in real time as you use your phone.
The lock screen battery widget is particularly useful if you check your battery level frequently throughout the day. Since you see your lock screen every time you pick up your phone, the percentage is when ready visible without needing to swipe or open any menus.
Battery percentage on older iPhones
If you own an iPhone 8 or earlier, the battery percentage is always displayed in the status bar and cannot be turned off. These older models do not have a Battery Percentage toggle in Settings because Apple designed them to show the number permanently.
On these devices, you will see the percentage next to the battery icon in the top-right corner at all times. There is no way to hide it, but there is also no need to enable it — it comes that way by default. If you upgrade to a newer iPhone, you will notice the percentage is hidden by default and must be turned on manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does showing battery percentage drain the battery faster?
No. The percentage display uses negligible power. Turning it on or off has no measurable effect on how long your battery lasts. The setting is purely visual and does not change how your phone manages power.
Can I change the color of the battery icon?
No. The battery icon color is controlled by your phone's state — green for charging, yellow for Low Power Mode, red for critically low — and cannot be customized. You can customize the lock screen appearance, but not the status bar icon itself.
Why does my battery percentage jump from 20% to 5% suddenly?
Battery percentage is an estimate based on voltage, not a precise measurement. At low levels, the estimate becomes less accurate. If your battery is old or worn, the percentage may fluctuate more than usual. Recalibrating by fully draining and fully charging your phone can help, though it will not restore an aging battery.
Does Low Power Mode affect the battery percentage display?
No. Low Power Mode limits what your phone does in the background to extend battery life, but it does not change how the percentage is calculated or displayed. The percentage remains accurate whether Low Power Mode is on or off.
What if I have an iPhone with Dynamic Island instead of a notch?
The battery percentage still appears in the top-right corner of the status bar, just as it does on notched iPhones. The Dynamic Island does not change where the percentage displays. You enable it the same way: Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage.