Where to find your AirPods charge on your iPhone or iPad

The quickest way to see how much battery your AirPods have is to open the case near your iPhone or iPad. A battery widget appears on your lock screen showing the charge level of each earbud and the case itself. This widget stays visible for a few seconds, then disappears — you do not need to open any app or unlock your device.

If the widget does not appear, swipe to your lock screen's leftmost page and look for a battery widget already there. On some devices, you may need to add it: long-press the lock screen, tap "Customize", then add the battery widget manually. The widget shows three separate percentages: left earbud, right earbud, and charging case.

You can also check the battery in Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones), and the battery percentage for your AirPods appears alongside your device's own battery. This method works even if your AirPods are in your pocket or bag, as long as they are connected to your device.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold your open AirPods case near your iPhone or iPad to see a battery widget on your lock screen showing the charge of each earbud and the case.
  • Control Center displays your AirPods battery percentage without unlocking your device, and works whether the case is open or closed.
  • The Batteries widget on your home screen shows AirPods charge alongside other device batteries, updated whenever your phone connects to the AirPods.
  • If one earbud shows significantly lower charge than the other, the lower one will die first during use, even if the case has plenty of power.

Using the Batteries widget on your home screen

A permanent battery widget on your home screen shows your AirPods charge without needing to check your lock screen each time. To add it, long-press any empty space on your home screen, tap the plus button in the top-left corner, search for "Batteries", and select it. The widget displays the charge level of your AirPods, your iPhone, and any other connected devices in one place.

This widget updates whenever your iPhone connects to your AirPods, so the percentage you see is usually current. However, if your AirPods have been off or out of range for a while, the widget may show an older reading. Once you put them in your ears and they reconnect, the widget updates within a few seconds.

Checking battery on Mac, Apple Watch, and other Apple devices

On a Mac, click the battery icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar. Your AirPods charge appears in the dropdown menu alongside your Mac's own battery. The same method works on Apple Watch: swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center, and the battery percentage shows there.

If you use AirPods with multiple Apple devices, the battery percentage syncs across all of them through iCloud. Checking the charge on any device gives you the current level. However, if you have just switched your AirPods to a different device, it may take a few seconds for the new device to receive the updated battery information.

Understanding what the percentages mean

Each earbud has its own battery, and they may not charge at the same rate. If one earbud shows 60 percent and the other shows 40 percent, the 40 percent earbud will die first during listening. You will lose audio in one ear while the other still works. This happens most often when one earbud spends more time outside the case or when one earbud is used more frequently.

The case battery is separate from the earbud batteries. A full case can charge your AirPods multiple times. If your case shows 20 percent, you have enough power to charge your AirPods once or twice more, depending on the model. Once the case battery reaches zero, you cannot charge the earbuds until you plug in the case itself.

What to do when battery is running low

When one or both earbuds drop below 10 percent, your device may send you a notification. At this point, you have roughly 15 to 30 minutes of listening time left, depending on your model and what you are doing — calls drain battery faster than music. If you are in the middle of something important, put the AirPods back in the case when ready to preserve what charge remains.

If your case is also low on battery, plug it in as soon as you can. A case with even 5 percent charge can top up your earbuds to full, but once the case dies, you lose that option. Keep your charging cable or wireless charger accessible during the day so you can top up the case without planning ahead.

Why one earbud might show lower charge than the other

Uneven battery levels usually mean one earbud is being used more than the other. If you always keep your left earbud in your ear while taking out the right one to talk, the left earbud drains faster. Over time, this creates a gap between the two percentages.

Sometimes one earbud straightforward has a battery that degrades faster than the other. This is rare but can happen if one earbud was exposed to heat, moisture, or physical damage. If the gap between the two earbuds grows larger every week — say, from 5 percent to 15 percent to 25 percent — the lower earbud may be failing and may need service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the battery percentage jump around when I check it?

Battery readings are estimates, not exact measurements. Your AirPods calculate remaining charge based on voltage, and that voltage fluctuates slightly depending on temperature and how hard the battery is working. A jump of 1 to 3 percent between checks is normal. Larger jumps usually mean your device reconnected to the AirPods after being out of range.

Can I see the battery of my AirPods on Android?

Android devices do not display AirPods battery in the same way iPhones do. You can see the charge level in the Bluetooth settings menu, but there is no dedicated widget or lock screen display. Some Android phones show it in the notification panel after you connect, but the information is less detailed than on Apple devices.

What does it mean if my AirPods battery is stuck at the same percentage?

If the percentage has not changed in several hours of use, your AirPods may not be connected to your device. Check your Bluetooth settings to confirm they are paired. If they are paired but the battery is not updating, try disconnecting and reconnecting them. If the battery still does not change after reconnecting, restart your device.

Is it bad to leave my AirPods charging overnight?

Modern AirPods stop charging once they reach 100 percent, so leaving them in the case overnight will not damage the battery. However, keeping any rechargeable battery at 100 percent for extended periods can slightly reduce its lifespan over years of use. If you charge them overnight regularly, the effect is minimal.

How often should I check my AirPods battery?

Check your battery once a day or whenever you notice the sound cutting out or audio becoming quieter. A quick glance at the lock screen widget takes two seconds and tells you whether you need to charge soon. If you use your AirPods for long stretches, checking before you leave home prevents running out of power during the day.