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Qiuck answer: To show battery percentage on iPhone 15 or later (including iPhone 17 and 18 Pro), go to Settings > Battery and turn on Battery Percentage. The number appears inside the battery icon in the status bar.
You might remember a time when not all iPhones — and not all iOS versions — let you display the battery percentage directly on the battery icon. For me, seeing an exact number — not just an icon — is the only way to really know where my battery stands. During that period, I found several ways to show the battery percentage on an iPhone.
Below, I share the quickest methods that still work in 2026.
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Starting with the iPhone 15 and continuing with the latest iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, you can easily display the battery percentage directly on the battery icon in the upper-right corner in just a few simple steps.
Here is how to do it:
Once enabled, the number appears inside the battery icon. It only took me a few seconds.
All iPhone 17 and the latest 18 Pro and Prom Max models also include the Battery Health 80 Percent Limit. Once you turn it on, your device never charges past 80% during a cycle. Limiting maximum charge can help extend battery lifespan by reducing time spent at full charge. I highly recommend using this feature, as it helps make the most of the iPhone’s battery life.
Here's how to turn on Optimised Battery Charging::
In the past, tracking battery health and usage was a guessing game. The iPhone 15 series changed that — you can now check your battery cycle count directly on the device.
Here's how to check your battery cycle count:
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Have you noticed how much iPhones have evolved over the years? You can even see these changes in something as simple as the way battery percentage settings work.
Here's a quick summary table of the main ways to show battery percentage:
| Method | Works on | Best for |
| Status bar | iOS 16 and later | Always-on percentage |
| Home Screen widget | All modern iPhones | At-a-glance viewing |
| Control Center | All iPhones | Quick manual check |
| Connect a charger | All iPhones | Instant on-screen readout |
| Ask Siri | All iPhones | Hands-free check |
| Usage app from Setapp* | iPhone + Mac | Detailed stats (charge, mAh, memory) |
| Batteries app from Setapp | Mac + connected devices | Monitoring all devices at once |
*Setapp is a curated app platform with 300+ apps for macOS, iOS, and the web
Older iPhones with a Home button, like the iPhone 8 and iPhone SE, always showed it in the status bar. iPhones with a notch changed things — you had to swipe down to Control Center to check.
With iOS 16, Apple reintroduced the option to show battery percentage in the status bar. In short, you'll need iOS 16 or later to enable the battery percentage display. Here's how to turn it on:
That single toggle keeps the number visible whenever you glance at your screen.
If you're not sure which iOS version your iPhone is running, the complete list of all iOS versions can help you figure it out.
If your iPhone runs an older iOS, use one of the methods below to check your battery status quickly.
One quick way to view battery percentage is to add a widget to your Home Screen. Here's how:
Your screen now shows your battery charge at all times.
There's another widget method I personally prefer — it uses the third-party Usage app form Setapp and gives you more detail than the built-in option. Its widget displays your battery charge in both percentage and mAh. It also shows disk status, network data, and memory in one place.
Adding Usage widgets follows a similar process:
If you'd rather keep the widget off your Home Screen, add it to Today View instead. Swipe right on your Home Screen, touch and hold an empty space, then tap Edit > Add Widget > Batteries. Here's how it looks on my iPhone's Today View:
Now you know how to add a battery widget on an iPhone — quick and painless.
You can see your exact battery percentage by opening Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. This works whether your phone is locked or unlocked, per Apple Support. Just one swipe, and you’re done.
The battery percentage appears right next to your battery indicator.
Another easy way to check your battery is to plug in a charger. The percentage appears on your screen for a few seconds.
This trick is handy when your hands are already reaching for the cable.
And here's one of my favorite hands-free options: just ask Siri. When my hands are busy, or my iPhone is out of reach, I say, "Hey Siri, what's the battery status?" Siri replies with, "Battery is at X percent."
For this to work, make sure Siri is set up:
You don't even need to unlock your iPhone to check the battery — unless you've disabled Siri on the lock screen in Settings. Just remember that Siri needs an internet connection to respond.
As you can see, there are several ways to check your exact battery percentage. You can view it in Control Center, ask Siri, use a widget, or connect a charger. iPhones running iOS 16 or later let you show the percentage right inside the battery icon at any time.
And if you want to go further, Usage gives you a real-time dashboard of battery charge, memory, and network stats — all in one widget. To keep an eye on every device from your Mac, Batteries tracks your iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Bluetooth headphones from the menu bar and pings you before anything dies.
Usage, Batteries, and 300+ more Mac and iOS apps — all in one Setapp subscription. Cancel anytime. Get 300+ Mac Apps.
Replace your battery if Maximum Capacity drops below 80% or a Service message appears in Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Other signs include unexpected shutdowns, slow performance, or fast draining. To keep tabs on cycle count and health over time, Usage shows real-time battery condition on both your Mac and iPhone.
On iOS 16 or later, go to Settings > Battery and turn on Battery Percentage. The number then stays visible inside the battery icon in the status bar. Older iPhones with a Home button, like the iPhone 8 and iPhone SE, display the percentage in the status bar by default.
Touch and hold your Home Screen until the icons wiggle. Tap Edit in the upper-left corner, then tap Add Widget. Scroll to the Batteries widget, tap it, choose your preferred size, then tap Add Widget and Done. The widget now shows your battery charge at a glance.
First, check that Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage is on. If it's missing, update to iOS 16 or later. Still no luck? Restart your iPhone, or reset settings via Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. If the problem persists, contact Apple Support.
Apple considers any iPhone with a battery capacity of 80% or more to be in optimal working order. Below that, you'll notice shorter runtime and occasional performance dips. You can view your Maximum Capacity in Settings > Battery > Battery Health.
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, then view your battery's Maximum Capacity. A new battery reads 100%, and the number gradually drops with use. For deeper insight, including cycle count and condition, Usage displays detailed battery health data across your Apple devices.
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