Check Battery Status of Connected Devices from iOS Notification Center

Notification Center on iPhone and iPad includes an optional widget that allows users to check the battery life of other devices connected through Bluetooth. Essentially this means you can quickly see what the remaining battery percentage of not just the device in hand, but also of an Apple Watch from an iPhone, or keyboard battery life from an iPad, all without having to access the device itself.

Additionally, the batteries widget allows users to see whether a connected device is charging or not. Here’s how you can access this handy Battery check feature, given the device has a new iOS version installed and there are connected Bluetooth devices:

How to Check Battery Life Status of Connected Devices from iPhone or iPad

In iOS 11, iOS 12, and later:

1. From anywhere in iOS, swipe right on the screen to access the “Today” widgets screen
2. Look for the “Batteries” section to view the battery life, charge status, and percentage remaining of each device connected through Bluetooth

In iOS 10 or earlier:

1. From anywhere in iOS, swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal Notification Center, then tap on the “Today” tab if you’re not already there
2. Look for the “Batteries” section to view the battery life, charge status, and percentage remaining of each device connected through Bluetooth

Simple, and helpful. The little lightning bolt icon indicates the device is connected to the charger.

How can I enable the Batteries widget in iOS Today screen?

If you don’t see the Batteries section in the Today screen, confirm that you’re in the Today screen, or in the Today section of Notification Center, depending on the iOS release in use.

If no Batteries section is visible in the Today widget list, you need to enable the battery list by scrolling to the bottom of the Today / Notification Center screen, tap on “Edit” and then locate the Battery listing and add it manually.

How useful this is to you is likely dependent on whether or not you use a paired Apple Watch, external Bluetooth speakers, an external Bluetooth keyboard, and other related hardware paired with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If you use none of those accessories, then simply showing the percentage remaining at the top of the iPhone screen is likely sufficient for getting an idea of what individual device battery remaining is.

One thing this feature is missing which would be a great addition? The ability to check a related MacBook battery, as well as seeing the remaining battery of other iOS devices, perhaps in a future version we’ll gain such a function.