Checking the battery on your AirPods helps you avoid low power interruptions during calls, music, or navigation. Understanding how to view battery levels from your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch ensures you are always aware of remaining power.
This guide explains multiple methods, from quick glance checks to detailed percentage readings. Use these steps to monitor each earbud and the charging case battery accurately.
| Device | Action | What You See | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone or iPad | Open case near device, view in Battery widget | Individual earbud levels and case percentage | Quick overview with large, readable elements |
| Mac | Open case near Bluetooth panel in menu bar | Battery percentages for left, right, and case | Desktop users who want a precise readout |
| Apple Watch | Open case near paired Watch, glance at pop-up | Charging status and case battery percentage | Users already checking their Watch battery |
| Settings App | Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, select AirPods | Battery percentage for each earbud and case | Detailed view and firmware or switch verification |
How to Check AirPods Battery on iPhone and iPad
On iOS devices, the easiest method requires only your AirPods and a quick glance at the lock screen or home screen.
Using the Battery Widget
Open the charging case near your iPhone or iPad to wake the Bluetooth connection, then add the Battery widget to your home screen. This widget displays each earbud battery level plus the case charge, so you can monitor life at a glance without opening the Settings app.
Live Activities and Bubbles
When you are on a call or playing media, a live activity bubble can show battery levels for both earbuds and the case. This real time view appears at the bottom of your screen, making it simple to check status while using your device.
How to Check Battery Levels on Mac
Mac users can see AirPods battery information directly in the menu bar or through system settings.
Menu Bar Method
Open the AirPods charging case near your Mac, press and hold the setup button until the status light flashes, then reconnect if needed. The battery percentage for your AirPods appears next to the Bluetooth icon, providing a quick desktop glance at remaining power.
Bluetooth Preferences
Open System Settings, click Bluetooth, select your AirPods, and you will see individual battery percentages for the left and right earbuds along with the charging case. This detailed view is helpful if you want to confirm levels or troubleshoot connection issues.
Checking Battery on Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch is paired with the same iPhone that manages your AirPods, you can use it to verify charging status.
Watch Pop Up During Charging
Place the AirPods in the case near your Apple Watch while it is on the charger, and the Watch will display a charging status popup with the case battery percentage. This method is fastest when you are already checking your Watch power.
Settings and Glance
On the Apple Watch, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, select your AirPods, and you may see connection details, though battery percentages are often managed through the linked iPhone. Use this path to confirm connectivity rather than detailed charge levels.
Battery Health and Case Inspection
Beyond live percentages, you may want to assess overall battery health and physical condition of the charging case.
Battery Health in Settings
In the AirPods settings page, you can view maximum capacity and whether the battery is performing optimally. This information helps you decide when component replacement or service might be needed as the cells degrade over time.
Physical Case Indicators
Check the status light on the front of the charging case when you open it; color cues show charging progress and whether the earbuds or case need more time to power up. A green light typically means fully charged, while amber indicates ongoing charging or a low case battery.
Maintaining Reliable Battery Monitoring
Consistent checks and smart habits keep your AirPods ready when you need them most.
- Open the charging case near your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to ensure accurate battery readings.
- Add a Battery widget for quick glances without opening the case.
- Reconnect AirPods in Bluetooth settings if percentages do not update.
- Keep your iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS software up to date for consistent battery reporting.
- Inspect the charging case battery health periodically in Settings to plan long term maintenance.
- Clean contact points on the earbuds and case if one device fails to show battery correctly.
FAQ
Reader questions
Why do my AirPods battery percentages not show on iPhone?
Make sure both AirPods and the charging case are close to your iPhone, that Bluetooth is enabled, and that your iOS is up to date. If percentages still do not appear, remove the AirPods from Bluetooth settings and reconnect them to refresh the link.
Can I check battery without opening the case?
Yes, on supported iPhones and iPads you can view battery levels on the Lock Screen by adding the Battery widget without opening the case. The widgets rely on the last connected state, so keep your AirPods in the case when not in use.
Will using low power mode affect AirPods battery display?
Low power mode on iPhone can limit background refresh, which may slightly delay battery updates for AirPods. The percentages still appear when you open the case or check manually, but live updates may slow down.
What does it mean if only one earbud shows battery?
If the settings screen shows battery for only one earbud, the other earbud may not be seated correctly in the case, have a connection issue, or require cleaning of the contact points. Reinsert both earbuds and verify the case battery is sufficiently charged.