How to Check AirPod Battery: Quick and Easy Guide

Knowing how to check the battery life of your AirPods is essential to ensure they are charged and ready when you need them. Whether you’re preparing for a workout, about to join a conference call, or settling in to enjoy some music or a podcast, a quick battery check can prevent unexpected interruptions. Your AirPods and their charging case are designed with multiple, intuitive ways to display battery life, allowing you to gauge the remaining power at a glance.

When your AirPods are coupled with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, the process of checking their charge is both quick and straightforward. If your AirPods are inside the case, simply opening the case near your iOS device prompts an on-screen display of the battery status. This visual indicator helps you keep track of both the case’s and the AirPods’ charge levels.

For those who prefer not to open the case or are without their iOS device, there are alternative methods to monitor your AirPods’ battery life. The case itself has a built-in LED which provides a basic indication of charge status. Moreover, utilizing the Batteries widget on your iOS device offers a convenient and detailed view of the battery levels even when the AirPods are not actively in use.

Checking AirPods Battery on Your iOS Device

When you need to keep an eye on your AirPods’ battery life, your iOS device provides straightforward methods. Here’s how you can quickly check the remaining power.

Using the Status Icon

• Open your AirPods case: With the AirPods inside, simply lift the lid.
• Hold the case near your iOS device: Ensure that Bluetooth is enabled and your iOS device is unlocked.
• Observe the Status Icon: A battery status icon will display on your screen, indicating the charge levels of both the AirPods and their case.

Using the Batteries Widget

• Add the Batteries Widget to your Today View by selecting “Edit” at the bottom of the screen and then tapping the plus (+) icon. Choose “Batteries” from the list and tap “Add Widget.”
• Check Battery Levels: Swipe right over the Home Screen or Lock Screen to view your Today View. Here you’ll see detailed battery levels of your AirPods and case.

Checking AirPods Battery on Your Android Device

While AirPods are designed to work with Apple products, you can still check their battery level on your Android device by using third-party applications.

Using Third-Party Apps

• Install a Compatible App:
  First, download a third-party application such as AirDroid or MaterialPods from the Google Play Store.

• Grant Permissions:
  These apps require permission to access system settings. Navigate to the ‘Appear on top’ or ‘Check permission’ section in the app and enable the required permission by toggling the button next to the app’s name to the right.

• Connect Your AirPods:
  Pair your AirPods with your Android device using Bluetooth. Once connected, place your AirPods in their charging case.

• Check Battery Levels:
  Open the third-party app. For some apps, simply opening the case near your device will trigger a popup indicating the battery level of your AirPods. Others may require you to open the app to view the battery status on the app’s dashboard.

Remember, the features and the accuracy of the battery level might vary depending on the app you choose to use.

Checking AirPods Battery on a Mac

To monitor your AirPods’ battery life via a Mac, ensure your AirPods are connected to the device. Follow these straightforward steps:

1. Click on the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

   • If you cannot see the Bluetooth icon, go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Bluetooth and tick the box for “Show Bluetooth in menu bar.”

2. Hover over your AirPods’ name in the drop-down list that appears.

A sub-menu will materialize, displaying the battery percentage for both your AirPods and the charging case.

Tips for Continuous Monitoring:

For constant access to your AirPods’ battery status, you can use the Batteries widget through the Notification Center:

• Swipe right with two fingers on the trackpad, or click the Notification Center icon (three stacked lines) at the upper right corner of the screen to open it.
• Scroll down and click “Edit Widgets.”
• Locate and add the Batteries widget, which will show the current battery status of your AirPods whenever they’re connected to your Mac.

Note: Battery levels may only update when the AirPods are in use or the case lid is open. If your AirPods are not in use and inside a closed case, the status might not instantly refresh.

Interpreting the Battery Indicator Lights

When monitoring your AirPods’ battery life, the status light located on the charging case serves as a key indicator:

• Green Light: Your AirPods are fully charged.
• Amber Light: Your AirPods are less than fully charged.
  • With AirPods Inside: The light shows the charge status of your AirPods.
  • No AirPods Inside: The light indicates the charge level of the case itself.

Wireless Charging Case: The status light is on the front of the case.

Non-Wireless Charging Case: The status light is found inside the case, between the slots for your AirPods.

For a detailed battery status:

1. Place your AirPods in the case.
2. Open the case near your iPhone or iPad.
3. A status card should appear on your device’s screen, displaying precise battery percentages for both the AirPods and the case.

Remember, for a quick view without an iOS device, rely on the status light’s color to get an approximate idea of remaining battery life.

Tips for Maximizing AirPods Battery Life

To ensure your AirPods retain their charge longer, consider these effective strategies:

• Update Firmware: Ensure your AirPods have the latest firmware for optimal battery performance.

• Optimize Settings: Adjust your AirPods to a comfortable volume and deactivate Automatic Ear Detection if not needed.

• Control Features: Disable the Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode when not in use. Access these settings:

  • iOS: Open Control Center, long-press the Volume slider, tap “Noise Control,” then select “Off.”
  • Mac: In Control Center, click on “Sound,” choose your AirPods, and turn the features off.

• Environment Matters: Store and use your AirPods in moderate temperatures to prevent battery strain.

• Charging Habits: Charge your AirPods regularly but avoid overcharging. Drain the battery to near zero occasionally before a full charge cycle.

Remember, proper maintenance and usage can significantly extend the life of your AirPods’ battery.