Because AirPods do not have a physical screen or a standard battery indicator light, it can be difficult to know exactly how much juice you have left before jumping onto a long Zoom call or heading out for a run. The tiny status light on the case only gives you a vague “green means good, amber means bad” approximation.
Fortunately, Apple integrates AirPods deeply into both iOS and macOS, giving you several different ways to check the exact battery percentage of the left earbud, the right earbud, and the charging case itself.
Here is how to check your AirPods battery on your iPhone and your Mac.
How to Check AirPods Battery on an iPhone
You have two primary ways to check your battery on an iPhone: the quick pop-up method, or the persistent widget method.
Method 1: The Case Pop-up
This is the fastest method, assuming your AirPods are currently inside their charging case.
- Unlock your iPhone so you are looking at the Home Screen.
- Hold the AirPods case a few inches away from the phone.
- Flip the lid of the AirPods case open.
An animated card will instantly slide up from the bottom of your iPhone screen displaying the exact battery percentage of both the earbuds and the case. (Note: If you remove one earbud, the card will split to show the individual battery life of the left and right earbuds separately).
Method 2: The Batteries Widget
If you are already wearing your AirPods and don’t want to take them out to trigger the case pop-up, you should use the Batteries Widget.
- Long-press any empty space on your iPhone Home Screen until the apps start jiggling.
- Tap the “+” (Plus) icon in the top left corner.
- Scroll down the list and tap Batteries.
- Swipe horizontally to choose a widget size, then tap Add Widget.
Whenever your AirPods are connected to your phone and in your ears, their battery percentage will be permanently displayed in this widget alongside your iPhone’s battery.
How to Check AirPods Battery on a Mac
Checking your battery on a MacBook or Mac desktop is slightly different, as there is no automatic pop-up animation like on the iPhone.
Method 1: The Control Center
- Ensure your AirPods are connected to your Mac (either in your ears or sitting in an open case nearby).
- Click the Control Center icon in the top right corner of your Mac’s menu bar (it looks like two small toggle switches).
- Click the Bluetooth button.
You will see your AirPods listed under your devices, with a small battery icon and percentage displayed right next to their name.
Method 2: System Settings
- Click the Apple Logo in the top left corner of your screen.
- Click System Settings.
- Select your AirPods from the very top of the left-hand sidebar (they will only appear here if they are actively connected to the Mac).
This dedicated AirPods menu will display large, detailed graphics showing the exact battery percentage of the left earbud, the right earbud, and the case.
Why can’t I see the case battery?
If you are wearing both AirPods and you are trying to check the battery of the empty case on your phone or Mac, it usually will not show up. The AirPods charging case does not have its own Bluetooth transmitter.
It relies on the earbuds to transmit its battery data. To see the case battery percentage, at least one AirPod must be sitting physically inside the case to beam that information to your device.