This article explains how to check the AirPods battery life in several ways. Information in this article applies to the original AirPods, 2nd-generation AirPods, and AirPod Pros.

What to Know

  • Hands-down easiest: Put the AirPods in the case and lift the lid to display the battery life on your paired iPhone.Next easiest: Swipe down on the iPhone Notification Center to see the Batteries widget from the Lock screen widget.You can also check the battery life from your Apple Watch by tapping the Battery Life icon.

How to Check AirPods Battery Life Using the Case

In the same way you initially paired your AirPods to your iPhone, lifting the lid of the AirPod case brings up a display on the phone that shows the battery life for each AirPod and the case.

  • Bring the case close to the phone and open the lid.
  • An image appears on the Home screen or Lock screen of the iPhone, displaying the battery life for each AirPod separately, if they’re in use, or as a pair if they’re in the case.
  • Opening the lid on the AirPod case while an app is open on the iPhone doesn’t trigger the battery life pop-up screen. Your iPhone needs to be on the Home screen or Lock screen when you open the lid of the case.
  • Close the case lid, and the pop-up screen disappears.

How to See AirPod Battery Life From the Lock Screen

You can also check the AirPods battery life from the Lock screen widget. Using the widget shows both the AirPods and the case, depending on which of the items are within range. The widget also appears if the AirPods are charging.

Because the AirPods case recharges the earbuds, it can be easy to forget you need to charge the case every once in a while. Checking the battery life is a good reminder to put the case on a charging dock every so often.

Bring the case close to the phone and open the lid.

An image appears on the Home screen or Lock screen of the iPhone, displaying the battery life for each AirPod separately, if they’re in use, or as a pair if they’re in the case.

Opening the lid on the AirPod case while an app is open on the iPhone doesn’t trigger the battery life pop-up screen. Your iPhone needs to be on the Home screen or Lock screen when you open the lid of the case.

Close the case lid, and the pop-up screen disappears.

To check the battery life using the Lock screen widget, swipe down from the top of the iPhone screen to reveal the Notification Center and then swipe to see the Batteries widget. If your phone is unlocked and on the Home screen, swipe right to see all the enabled widgets.

Check AirPods Battery Life on Apple Watch

Not only can you check your AirPods from your iPhone, but you can also check the battery life from your Apple Watch.

If you don’t see the Batteries widget, scroll to the bottom and tap Edit. Then tap the green + next to Batteries to add the Batteries widgets. The Batteries widget shows devices such as your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods.

  • Swipe up on the Apple Watch face to go to the Control Center.
  • Tap the Apple Watch’s battery life icon. If your AirPods are in your ears or if the case lid is open, the battery life for each of the devices appears on the Apple Watch screen.
  • Scroll down to see each of the AirPods and the case listed.
  • Press the Digital Crown to return home.
  • You can only see your AirPods battery life on Apple Watch if they are connected to your iPhone or directly to the watch.

You can only see your AirPods battery life on Apple Watch if they are connected to your iPhone or directly to the watch.

Swipe up on the Apple Watch face to go to the Control Center.

Tap the Apple Watch’s battery life icon. If your AirPods are in your ears or if the case lid is open, the battery life for each of the devices appears on the Apple Watch screen.

Scroll down to see each of the AirPods and the case listed.

Press the Digital Crown to return home.

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