To check AirPods battery life on iPhone, put in your AirPods, open Settings, and tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen. The battery percentage shows there. On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar to see the percentage next to your AirPods.
These steps come from Apple’s AirPods User Guide page Charge AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max and Apple’s support article Charge your AirPods. They work the same on an iPad.
How to see AirPods battery on iPhone
- Put in your AirPods and make sure they’re connected to your iPhone.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen.
Result: the battery percentage appears on your AirPods settings screen.
Apple’s support article also gives another path: with the case lid open or the AirPods out of the case, go to Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the Info button next to your AirPods.
Other quick ways on iPhone
- Open the case nearby: Opening the case near an unlocked iPhone or iPad brings up a panel showing the AirPods and case battery. To see each earbud separately, wear one and leave the other in the case.
- Batteries widget: Apple says you can add a widget to check the battery level of your devices, including AirPods. See how to show battery percentage on an iPhone.
- Ask Siri: Try asking something like “AirPods battery.”
How to see AirPods battery on a Mac
- Put in your AirPods and connect them to your Mac.
- Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar.
- Look for the battery percentage next to your AirPods.
Result: the percentage shows in the Bluetooth menu.
Don’t see the Bluetooth icon? Apple says to open System Settings, click Menu Bar in the sidebar, and under Menu Bar Controls select the box next to Bluetooth. Apple’s support article also lists Control Center > Sound, then choosing your AirPods, with the lid open and the AirPods near your Mac.
Read the charging case light
Apple says that with your AirPods in the case and the lid open, the status light shows the AirPods’ charge; with them out of the case, it shows the case’s charge. Green means fully charged, and amber means less than one full charge remains. If no light appears, you may need to charge them.
On recent models with the latest firmware (AirPods 4 and 5, AirPods Pro 2 and 3), Apple says the light briefly pulses amber when the AirPods or case are under 95% charged.
Low-battery warnings and charging notifications
- Apple says your iPhone or iPad shows a notification when AirPods battery hits 20, 10, and 5 percent.
- A tone plays in the AirPods at 10 percent and again right before they turn off.
- On AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, or AirPods Max 2, you can turn on alerts for low battery and full charge: Settings > your AirPods > Battery > Charging Notifications.
How to charge AirPods
Put your AirPods in their case and close the lid. Apple says they shut down and charge whenever they’re in the case with the lid closed. Charge the case with its cable, or on a MagSafe, Qi-certified, or Apple Watch charger if your case supports it. An iPhone 15 or later can also charge AirPods over a cable, as explained in charging another device from your iPhone.
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t I see my AirPods battery in Settings?
Apple’s steps assume you’re wearing the AirPods (or have the case open) and they’re connected to your device. Put them in, wait for them to connect, and check again.
Can I see each AirPod’s battery separately?
Yes. Wear one AirPod and leave the other in the open case near your iPhone; the panel then shows them individually.
More AirPods Guides
- How to change the AirPods double tap or press and hold action
- How to change which AirPod has the microphone
- How to make AirPods connect to your iPhone automatically
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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