This article explains how to check the Apple Watch battery on your iPhone or the smartwatch with watchOS 3 or later and iOS 10 or later.

What to Know

  • On an Apple Watch: go to the WatchOS Control Center and tap the percentage icon.On an iPhone, add the Battery widget: swipe right and go to Edit > + next to Batteries > Done > Today > Batteries section.You can also check Apple Watch battery usage stats in the Watch app on an iPhone.

How to Check the Battery on an Apple Watch

Apple Watches boast an impressive battery life, lasting up to 18 hours on a single charge under optimal conditions. However, that figure may not hold true if you’re overly active on your watch throughout the day. Follow these steps to check your watch’s current battery life while wearing it on your wrist:

  • Swipe up from the bottom of the Apple Watch’s face and enter your passcode if prompted.
  • Go to the WatchOS Control Center and tap the percentage icon (for example, 90%).
  • If you have AirPods connected, you will see their current battery life displayed as well.
  • The percentage of remaining battery life is displayed, along with a button labeled Power Reserve. Slide this button to the right to enter Power Reserve mode, which conserves the battery by turning off all features except the current time clock.

How to Check Apple Watch Battery Life on Your iPhone

It’s also possible to check your Apple Watch’s battery from your iPhone. After pairing the Apple Watch with the iPhone, you only need to add the battery widget:

Swipe up from the bottom of the Apple Watch’s face and enter your passcode if prompted.

Go to the WatchOS Control Center and tap the percentage icon (for example, 90%).

If you have AirPods connected, you will see their current battery life displayed as well.

The percentage of remaining battery life is displayed, along with a button labeled Power Reserve. Slide this button to the right to enter Power Reserve mode, which conserves the battery by turning off all features except the current time clock.

  • Swipe right on the iPhone home screen.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap Edit.
  • Tap plus (+) next to Batteries to make it active.
  • If you see a minus (-) next to Batteries, it’s active, and you can return to the home screen.
  • Tap Done to save your changes.
  • Go to the Today view and look for the Batteries section. You’ll see the battery levels of the iPhone, Apple Watch, and other compatible Bluetooth devices you paired with your iOS device.

How to Check Your Apple Watch Battery Usage Stats

The Apple Watch’s battery usage stats provide details on how long it’s been since the watch received a full charge:

Swipe right on the iPhone home screen.

Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap Edit.

Tap plus (+) next to Batteries to make it active.

If you see a minus (-) next to Batteries, it’s active, and you can return to the home screen.

Tap Done to save your changes.

Go to the Today view and look for the Batteries section. You’ll see the battery levels of the iPhone, Apple Watch, and other compatible Bluetooth devices you paired with your iOS device.

  • Go to the iPhone home screen and open the Watch app.
  • Scroll down and tap General.
  • Your watch’s General settings should be visible. Scroll down and tap Usage.
  • In the Usage interface, scroll to the bottom and locate the Usage and Standby indicators. These show the amount of time your watch has been active and how long it’s been in standby mode since you charged it last.
  • It may take some time for this information to sync from your Apple Watch to your iPhone.

Go to the iPhone home screen and open the Watch app.

Scroll down and tap General.

Your watch’s General settings should be visible. Scroll down and tap Usage.

In the Usage interface, scroll to the bottom and locate the Usage and Standby indicators. These show the amount of time your watch has been active and how long it’s been in standby mode since you charged it last.

It may take some time for this information to sync from your Apple Watch to your iPhone.

  • How do I save battery life on an Apple Watch?
  • Use Low Power Mode to preserve your Apple Watch battery life. Touch and hold the bottom of your Apple Watch screen. Swipe up when you see the Control Center > tap the battery percentage and turn on Low Power Mode.
  • Why is my Apple Watch battery draining so fast?
  • Your Watch may be draining quickly if your wake time is set to 70 seconds. Go to the Watch app’s Display & Brightness setting and change the wake time to 15 seconds. It may also be draining fast because Wake on Wrist Raise is turned on. Disable this in the Display & Brightness settings.

Use Low Power Mode to preserve your Apple Watch battery life. Touch and hold the bottom of your Apple Watch screen. Swipe up when you see the Control Center > tap the battery percentage and turn on Low Power Mode.

Your Watch may be draining quickly if your wake time is set to 70 seconds. Go to the Watch app’s Display & Brightness setting and change the wake time to 15 seconds. It may also be draining fast because Wake on Wrist Raise is turned on. Disable this in the Display & Brightness settings.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day