How to Show Battery Percentage on iPhone
This guide shows you how to display the battery percentage on your iPhone, either in the status bar or as a widget on your home screen. You’ll learn the steps for both current and older iOS versions, plus how to fix common issues.
What You’ll Need
- An iPhone running iOS 16 or later (for the built-in status bar option)
- For older iOS versions, the steps differ slightly (explained below)
Step-by-Step
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For iPhone with Face ID (no Home button) – iOS 16 or later:
Go to Settings > Battery. Toggle on Battery Percentage. The percentage now appears inside the battery icon in the top-right status bar. -
For iPhone with Touch ID (Home button) – iOS 16 or later:
The battery percentage is always shown by default in the status bar. If you don’t see it, go to Settings > Battery and ensure Battery Percentage is toggled on (it may be off if you previously disabled it). -
For iOS 15 and earlier:
The percentage is not available in the status bar on Face ID iPhones. Instead, you can swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center – the percentage appears next to the battery icon. On Touch ID iPhones, go to Settings > Battery and toggle on Battery Percentage. -
Add a battery widget to the home screen (any iOS version):
Touch and hold an empty area of the home screen until the apps jiggle. Tap the + button in the top-left corner. Search for Batteries and choose a widget size (small, medium, or large). Tap Add Widget, then tap Done. The widget shows the battery percentage for your iPhone and connected devices. -
Check battery percentage in the Lock Screen (iOS 16 or later):
The percentage is displayed by default in the Lock Screen when you tap the screen. If you don’t see it, go to Settings > Battery and enable Battery Percentage – this also affects the Lock Screen.
Common Mistakes
- Looking for the percentage in the status bar on older iOS: If your iPhone has Face ID and runs iOS 15 or earlier, the percentage is not shown in the status bar – you must open Control Center.
- Assuming the widget is the only way: On iOS 16+, the status bar option is separate from the widget. You can have both, but they don’t sync – you need to enable the status bar option separately.
- Forgetting that the battery percentage toggle is under Battery, not Display: Some users look under Display & Brightness; it’s actually in the Battery settings.
- On Touch ID iPhones, toggling off the percentage accidentally: If you don’t see the percentage on a Touch ID iPhone, check that the toggle is on – it’s easy to turn off while adjusting other settings.
Tips
- Use the widget for a quick glance: The small battery widget shows both your iPhone and any connected AirPods or Apple Watch percentages at a glance.
- Low Power Mode shortcut: When you enable Low Power Mode (Settings > Battery), the battery icon turns yellow, but the percentage remains visible.
- Customize the Lock Screen: On iOS 16+, you can add the battery percentage as a Lock Screen widget by tapping the Lock Screen, selecting Customize, and adding a battery widget.
- Check battery health: While you’re in Battery settings, tap Battery Health to see the maximum capacity – useful for understanding battery degradation.
Troubleshooting
If the battery percentage doesn’t appear after following the steps:
- Ensure your iOS is up to date: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates. The status bar percentage requires iOS 16 or later.
- Restart your iPhone: A simple restart often resolves display glitches. Press and hold the power button and either volume button (Face ID) or just the power button (Touch ID) until the slider appears, then slide to power off and turn back on.
- Check if the toggle is actually on: Go back to Settings > Battery and confirm the switch is green. If it toggles off by itself, try toggling it on and off a few times, then restart.
- Reset all settings (last resort): If nothing works, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This won’t delete your data but will reset system settings like Wi-Fi and wallpaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t my iPhone show the battery percentage in the status bar?
If your iPhone has Face ID and runs iOS 15 or earlier, the percentage is not available in the status bar due to limited space. On iOS 16+, you need to enable it in Settings > Battery. On Touch ID iPhones, it’s usually on by default.
Can I show the battery percentage on the Lock Screen?
Yes, on iOS 16 or later, the percentage appears on the Lock Screen when you tap it, and you can also add a battery widget. On older iOS versions, you’ll need to open Control Center.
Does the battery percentage drain battery faster?
No, displaying the percentage has a negligible effect on battery life – the battery icon itself is always updated, so the percentage is just a text representation of the same data.
Why is my battery percentage yellow?
A yellow battery icon means Low Power Mode is enabled. You can turn it off in Settings > Battery, or it will automatically disable when the battery charges to 80%.
Can I show the percentage for my AirPods on the iPhone?
Yes, the Batteries widget shows the charge level for your AirPods when they are connected. You can also see it in the Bluetooth settings or when you open the AirPods case near your iPhone.
What if I have an iPhone with a Home button and the percentage is missing?
Go to Settings > Battery and ensure Battery Percentage is toggled on. If it’s already on, restart your iPhone. If it still doesn’t show, check that you haven’t enabled a focus mode that hides status bar items – try turning off any active Focus.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.