iPhone X Battery Percentage: How to Show It
To see the battery percentage on an iPhone X, you do not need to change any settings—it is hidden by default due to the notch design. You can view it by swiping down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, or by adding a Battery widget to your Home Screen.
Why the iPhone X Doesn’t Show It in the Status Bar
Starting with the iPhone X, Apple removed the always-visible battery percentage from the status bar. The reason is the TrueDepth camera system and the notch, which reduced the available space in the status bar. The time moved to the left side, and the signal, Wi‑Fi, and battery icons occupy the right side. There simply isn’t room for a numeric percentage next to the battery icon without making the text too small or cluttered.
This design choice applies to all later Face ID iPhones (XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and the SE 3rd generation does show it, but the X and its direct successors do not). If you are used to older iPhones with a Home button, the change can be surprising, but there are several easy ways to get the percentage without any extra apps.
Method 1: Swipe Down to Control Center
The quickest way to check your battery percentage is to open Control Center. Here’s how:
- On the Home Screen or any app, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen (where the battery icon is).
- Control Center appears, and you’ll see the battery percentage displayed prominently next to the battery icon in the top-right corner of the Control Center panel.
- Tap anywhere outside or swipe up to close it.
This works from any screen, including the Lock Screen. It’s a two‑second gesture, and many people find it becomes second nature. The percentage shown is the current charge level, updated in real time.
Method 2: Add a Battery Widget to the Home Screen
If you want the percentage visible at a glance without any swipes, add a Battery widget. This widget also shows the battery levels of connected devices like AirPods and Apple Watch, which is a bonus.
- Touch and hold any empty area of the Home Screen until the icons jiggle (or go into “jiggle mode�).
- Tap the “+� button in the top-left corner.
- Search for “Batteries� or scroll down to find the Batteries widget.
- Choose a size—the small widget shows just your iPhone’s percentage, the medium and large ones show more devices.
- Tap “Add Widget,� then position it and tap “Done.�
The widget updates automatically and shows a number like “82%� next to the battery icon. It’s the closest you can get to a permanent on‑screen percentage without jailbreaking.
Method 3: Use Siri or Ask Siri
You can also ask Siri directly: “Hey Siri, what’s my battery percentage?� Siri will respond with the current level, for example, “Your battery is at 74 percent.� This is handy when you’re driving or your hands are full. Siri reads the same battery data that the system uses, so it’s always accurate.
Why There Is No “Battery Percentage� Toggle in Settings
On older iPhones (like the 6s, 7, 8, and SE 1st/2nd gen), there was a toggle in Settings > Battery called “Battery Percentage.� That toggle is absent on the iPhone X and all later Face ID models. Apple removed it because the status bar redesign made the numeric percentage redundant—you can get it with a swipe, and the battery icon itself gives a rough visual estimate.
Some users have asked if there’s a hidden setting or a trick to force it back into the status bar. There isn’t one in the standard iOS settings. The only ways are the Control Center swipe, the widget, or Siri. On jailbroken iPhones, tweaks can add it back, but that’s not recommended for most users because it voids security and stability.
Common Misconceptions and Troubleshooting
One common misconception is that the battery percentage in Control Center is not accurate or that it drains battery. It’s simply a readout of the same charge level that the system uses—it doesn’t cause extra drain. The percentage updates every few seconds, but the value is always the real, current charge.
If you notice the percentage in Control Center is missing or not updating, try these steps:
- Restart your iPhone (press and hold the side button and either volume button, then slide to power off).
- Make sure your iOS is up to date (Settings > General > Software Update).
- Check that you haven’t enabled “Low Power Mode� which sometimes changes the battery icon color but not the percentage display.
- If the widget shows “—� for your iPhone, it may be because the widget is showing a connected device’s battery instead—tap the widget to cycle through devices, or remove and re-add it.
Battery Health and Percentage Accuracy
The percentage you see is the current charge level, not the battery’s maximum capacity. To see the health of your battery (how much capacity it has compared to when it was new), go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. There you’ll see “Maximum Capacity� as a percentage, like 90%. That number tells you how much wear the battery has, but it doesn’t affect the displayed charge percentage. A battery at 90% health can still show 100% charge when fully charged—it just holds less total charge than a new one.
If you’re concerned about battery drain or sudden percentage drops, that’s usually a sign of a battery that needs service. Apple recommends replacing the battery if Maximum Capacity drops below 80% or if you see a message in Battery Health that says “Your battery’s health is significantly degraded.�
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the battery percentage show in the status bar on iPhone X?
No, there is no setting to enable it. The status bar on iPhone X and later Face ID models does not have a numeric percentage option. The only ways are Control Center, the Battery widget, or Siri.
Does the battery percentage in Control Center drain battery?
No. The percentage is just a readout of the same data the system already tracks. It doesn’t use extra power to display it. The Control Center itself uses negligible power when opened.
Why does my iPhone X battery percentage show 1% for a long time?
That’s a common behavior when the battery is very low. The voltage curve of lithium‑ion batteries is not linear, so the last few percent can last longer than expected. It’s not a malfunction, but if it happens frequently, your battery may be aging.
Will the Battery widget work on the Lock Screen?
Yes, you can add the Batteries widget to the Lock Screen on iOS 16 or later. Press and hold the Lock Screen, tap “Customize,� then add the widget. On earlier iOS versions, you can only see it on the Home Screen or Today View (swipe right on the Home Screen).
Is there a way to see battery percentage without touching the screen?
Yes, use Siri by saying “Hey Siri, what’s my battery percentage?� This works even if the phone is locked, as long as “Hey Siri� is enabled. You can also check the battery percentage on your paired Apple Watch if you have one.
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