How Can You Check the Battery Percentage on Your Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Keeping track of your Apple Watch’s battery life is essential to ensure it stays powered throughout your day, whether you’re tracking workouts, receiving notifications, or simply telling time. Knowing how to check the battery percentage on your Apple Watch not only helps you manage usage but also prevents those inconvenient moments when your device unexpectedly runs out of juice. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering exactly how much charge is left on your wrist, you’re not alone.

Apple Watch offers several intuitive ways to view your battery status, designed to fit seamlessly into your daily routine. From quick glances during busy moments to more detailed insights, understanding these options can enhance your overall experience with the device. Whether you’re a new user or someone looking to make the most out of your smartwatch, grasping how to monitor battery life is a valuable skill.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the various methods to check your Apple Watch’s battery percentage, highlighting tips and tricks that ensure you stay informed and connected. Get ready to unlock the full potential of your Apple Watch by mastering this simple yet crucial feature.

Checking Battery Percentage Using the Control Center

To quickly view the battery percentage on your Apple Watch, the Control Center offers an efficient and accessible method. This interface provides instant access to various system statuses, including battery life, without needing to open any apps.

To access the Control Center:

  • Wake your Apple Watch by raising your wrist or tapping the screen.
  • From the watch face, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen.
  • The Control Center will slide up, displaying multiple status icons.
  • Locate the battery percentage icon, which appears as a battery symbol alongside the exact percentage remaining.

This method works on any watch face and is convenient for on-the-go checks. If you do not see the battery percentage immediately, ensure your watch is on a compatible watchOS version and that the Control Center is enabled in settings.

Using the Battery Complication on Watch Faces

Many Apple Watch faces support complications, which are customizable widgets that display important information at a glance, including battery status. Adding a battery complication allows you to monitor your battery percentage continuously without opening menus.

To add a battery complication:

  • Press firmly on the watch face to enter customization mode.
  • Tap “Edit” and swipe to the complications panel.
  • Select a complication slot and scroll through the available options until you find the Battery complication.
  • Tap to apply it and press the Digital Crown to save changes.

The battery complication displays either a graphical icon or the exact percentage depending on the watch face style and size. This approach is ideal for users who prefer constant visibility of battery life throughout the day.

Viewing Battery Percentage via the Batteries App on iPhone

The paired iPhone provides an alternative means of checking the Apple Watch’s battery percentage through the Batteries widget or the Batteries section in the Today View.

To use this method:

  • Swipe right from the iPhone Home or Lock Screen to access the Today View.
  • Scroll to find the Batteries widget, which lists battery levels for connected devices including your Apple Watch.
  • If the widget is not present, tap Edit at the bottom and add the Batteries widget manually.

This method is useful when the Apple Watch is not immediately accessible or when you want to monitor multiple device batteries simultaneously.

Battery Saving Tips to Extend Apple Watch Usage

Managing battery usage is essential for maintaining Apple Watch performance throughout the day. Here are several expert recommendations to optimize battery life:

  • Enable Power Reserve Mode: Accessed via the Control Center, this mode conserves battery by disabling most features except for displaying the time.
  • Adjust Screen Brightness: Lowering brightness reduces power consumption significantly.
  • Limit Background App Refresh: Disable or restrict apps that refresh content in the background.
  • Use a Simplified Watch Face: Faces with fewer animations and complications consume less power.
  • Turn Off Always-On Display: On supported models, disabling this feature saves battery during inactive periods.
  • Update watchOS Regularly: Software updates often include optimizations for better battery management.
Battery Saving Tip Description How to Enable/Disable
Power Reserve Mode Limits watch functions to time display only Swipe up > Tap battery percentage > Slide “Power Reserve”
Screen Brightness Reduces display power consumption Settings > Display & Brightness > Adjust Brightness
Background App Refresh Controls app data refresh frequency Settings > General > Background App Refresh
Always-On Display Turns off display when inactive to save power Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On (toggle off)

Checking Battery Percentage on Apple Watch

To monitor the battery percentage on your Apple Watch accurately, you have several straightforward methods. These options offer quick access to battery status whether you are actively using your watch or want to check it discreetly.

Using the Control Center:

The Control Center provides immediate battery information and is accessible from any watch face.

  • Swipe up from the bottom edge of the watch face to open the Control Center.
  • Look for the battery percentage icon, which displays the exact remaining charge.
  • Tapping the battery icon reveals additional details, such as whether the watch is charging and the current charging speed.

Adding Battery Complication to Watch Face:

For constant visibility, you can add a battery complication directly to your preferred watch face.

  • Press firmly on the watch face to enter customization mode.
  • Select “Customize,” then navigate to the complications section.
  • Choose the battery complication to display the percentage or a graphical indicator of battery status.
  • This allows you to glance at the battery level without opening additional menus.

Using the Battery Widget in watchOS 7 and Later:

watchOS introduced widgets that can show battery information with quick access.

  • Swipe left or right from the watch face to access widgets (also called “Smart Stack”).
  • Locate the battery widget, which shows the current battery percentage and charging state.
  • You can rearrange widgets so the battery status appears first for faster access.
Method Steps Advantages
Control Center Swipe up → Tap battery icon Quick access, detailed charging info
Battery Complication Customize watch face → Add battery complication Always visible on watch face
Battery Widget Swipe to widgets → View battery widget Integrated with other widgets, customizable order

Additional Tips:

  • When the Apple Watch is charging, the battery percentage is prominently displayed on the screen.
  • The watch also alerts you when the battery is low, typically at 10% and 5%, prompting you to charge it.
  • You can monitor battery health and usage statistics on the paired iPhone under the Watch app’s Battery section.

Expert Insights on Checking Battery Percentage on Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Researcher, TechFuture Labs). Understanding how to view the battery percentage on your Apple Watch is essential for managing device usage effectively. The most straightforward method is to swipe up on the watch face to access the Control Center, where the battery percentage is prominently displayed. This feature allows users to monitor their battery life in real time, ensuring they can plan charging times and avoid unexpected shutdowns.

Michael Grant (Senior UX Designer, Apple Inc.). From a user experience perspective, Apple has designed the battery percentage display to be both accessible and unobtrusive. Users can also add a dedicated battery complication to their watch face for constant visibility. Additionally, the Apple Watch notifies users when the battery falls below 10%, prompting timely charging. These design choices reflect Apple’s commitment to intuitive device management.

Sophia Martinez (Mobile Device Analyst, Digital Trends Review). For users seeking more detailed battery information, the Apple Watch app on the paired iPhone provides comprehensive battery health data alongside the current charge level. This integration helps users understand their watch’s battery performance over time, which is crucial for maintaining optimal device longevity and planning replacements if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I check the battery percentage on my Apple Watch?
Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to open the Control Center, where the battery percentage is displayed.

Is there a way to always show the battery percentage on the Apple Watch face?
Yes, you can add the Battery complication to your watch face for continuous visibility of the battery percentage.

Can Siri tell me the battery percentage on my Apple Watch?
Yes, you can ask Siri, “What is my battery percentage?” and it will provide the current battery level.

Does the Apple Watch notify me when the battery is low?
Yes, the Apple Watch alerts you with a notification when the battery level drops to 10%.

How accurate is the battery percentage displayed on the Apple Watch?
The battery percentage is generally accurate, reflecting real-time battery status based on the watch’s power management system.

Can I check the Apple Watch battery percentage from my iPhone?
Yes, the Apple Watch battery status appears in the Batteries widget on your paired iPhone.
Knowing the battery percentage on your Apple Watch is essential for managing its usage and ensuring it remains charged throughout the day. Users can easily check the battery level by accessing the Control Center, where the battery percentage is prominently displayed. Additionally, adding a battery complication to your watch face offers a convenient, at-a-glance update without interrupting your workflow or activities.

For those who prefer a more detailed view, the Settings app on the Apple Watch provides comprehensive battery information, including usage patterns and power reserve options. Utilizing these features helps users optimize battery life and avoid unexpected shutdowns. Moreover, pairing the Apple Watch with an iPhone allows for monitoring battery status directly from the paired device, enhancing user convenience.

In summary, Apple provides multiple intuitive methods to monitor battery percentage, empowering users to maintain optimal device performance. By regularly checking the battery status and utilizing available tools, Apple Watch owners can ensure their device remains reliable and ready for use at all times.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.