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How to Check AirPods Battery Levels and Charge Each Earbud

See AirPods charge status on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, check each earbud, and troubleshoot a case or AirPod that will not charge.
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On an iPhone or iPad, open the AirPods case lid or take the earbuds out, then go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the AirPods name, and tap the Info button to see charge status. On a Mac, open the lid or remove the earbuds, hold them near the Mac, then choose the AirPods from Control Center > Sound. To check that each earbud is charging, seat both in the case and inspect their status on an iPhone or iPad.

Check AirPods battery levels on an iPhone or iPad

  1. Open the charging case lid, or take the AirPods out of the case.
  2. Open Settings > Bluetooth.
  3. Tap the Info button next to your AirPods, then check the charge status shown there.

Apple Support’s current instructions describe this view as a way to check charge status. The exact display can depend on your AirPods and software; use the case light as another check when you need to confirm charging.

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Check the battery status on a Mac

  1. Open the AirPods case lid or take the earbuds out.
  2. Hold the AirPods near your Mac.
  3. Click Control Center in the menu bar, choose Sound, then select your AirPods.

See whether each AirPod is charging

Put both AirPods in their case, open the lid near your iPhone or iPad, and check the displayed status for each. If one does not appear to be charging or is not working, Apple recommends this check:

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  1. Seat both AirPods in the case and close the lid. Wait 30 seconds.
  2. Open the lid near your iPhone or iPad and check the charge status again.
  3. Test the affected AirPod on its own while leaving the other AirPod in the closed case.

This helps distinguish an earbud that needs a better connection in the case from one that still has a charging or audio problem. These steps are from Apple Support’s guidance for an AirPod that is not working: If your left or right AirPod isn’t working.

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Charge the AirPods and their case

Recharge the earbuds

Place the AirPods in their charging case when they need power. The case recharges the earbuds and stores multiple full charges for them. You can check their status while they are seated by opening the case near an iPhone or iPad.

Choose a charging method that matches the case

AirPods cases do not all use the same connector or support the same wireless chargers. Check the connector and charging features of your specific case before connecting a cable or placing it on a charging mat.

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Charging method What to check
Lightning cable Use a Lightning cable for a case with a Lightning connector; connect it to a USB charger or port.
USB-C cable Use a USB-C cable for a case with a USB-C connector; connect it to a USB charger or port.
Qi or MagSafe wireless charger Only use this method with a case that supports wireless charging. Place the closed case on the charger with its status light facing up.
Apple Watch charger Support applies only to specific case models listed in Apple’s current instructions. Do not assume every AirPods case can charge this way.

Apple says the case can be charged with or without the AirPods inside. For details on supported case generations and charging methods, see Apple’s AirPods charging instructions.

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Understand the AirPods case light and battery alerts

The case light reports different things depending on whether the earbuds are inside: with the AirPods in the case as you open it, the light indicates the earbuds’ charge status; with them out, it indicates the case’s charge status. Apple defines green as fully charged and amber as less than one full charge remaining. The light’s location varies by case: many later cases have a light on the front, while the Lightning Charging Case for AirPods 1 and 2 has an internal light.

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Apple says an iPhone or iPad can show low-battery notices at 20%, 10%, and 5% remaining. A low-battery tone sounds at 10% and again shortly before the AirPods turn off. Separate low-charge and charge-complete notifications are limited to listed AirPods models with current firmware and iOS or iPadOS 26 or later; they are not available on every model.

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Troubleshoot an AirPod or case that will not charge

Check seating and battery status first

Reseat both earbuds in the case and use the 30-second check above. Look at each earbud’s status rather than assuming that one light or a general battery reading confirms both are charging.

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Verify the power connection

If the case still does not charge, make sure the cable matches the case connector and is firmly connected to both the case and a working USB power source. Check that the outlet or port works. Apple’s troubleshooting instructions say to leave AirPods and the case connected to power for at least 15 minutes when investigating a charging problem.

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Reposition a wireless case

For a wireless-compatible case, place it closed on the charger with the status light facing up. If the light does not turn on, reposition the case. If it still will not charge, try a compatible cable and power adapter instead.

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Check for debris before resetting

Inspect the case’s charging port for debris and clean it using Apple’s instructions for your model. Consider resetting only after the physical connection and power checks: Apple notes that resetting clears custom settings. Follow the model-specific steps in Apple’s guide to AirPods that won’t charge.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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