Guide
How to Check AirPods Battery on a Mac
See your AirPods battery on a Mac using the Bluetooth menu, Control Center, and Notification Center widgets, plus the limits and easier always-on options.
To check your AirPods battery on a Mac, connect them over Bluetooth, then click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and hover over your AirPods to read the charge level. You can also open the case near your Mac and glance at Control Center. macOS gives you the number, but only after a click or two, so this guide covers the built-in ways, their limits, and how to keep the level always visible.
The fastest native way: the Bluetooth menu
If the Bluetooth icon is in your menu bar, this is the quickest check.
- Make sure your AirPods are connected to this Mac (selected as the audio output).
- Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar.
- Hover over your AirPods in the list.
- The submenu shows the battery percentage for the left and right earbuds, and the case when detected.
If you don't see the Bluetooth icon, turn it on in System Settings - Control Center by setting Bluetooth to "Show in Menu Bar."
Using Control Center
Control Center works even without the menu bar icon:
- Open Control Center from the top-right of the menu bar.
- Click Bluetooth to expand it.
- Connected AirPods appear with a battery indicator next to them.
This is reliable but still buried behind a click, so it's a check-when-you-think-about-it method rather than an always-on readout.
Why the level sometimes won't appear
A few common reasons the battery shows nothing:
- They're paired to another device. AirPods connect to one device at a time for audio. If your iPhone grabbed them, the Mac may not report a level.
- They're in a closed case. Open the lid near the Mac so it can read the earbuds and case.
- They just connected. Give it a few seconds after connecting for the level to populate.
- Stale Bluetooth state. Toggling Bluetooth off and on, or reconnecting the AirPods, usually fixes a missing reading.
Notification Center widgets
macOS includes a Batteries widget you can add to Notification Center (swipe in from the right edge of the trackpad or click the date/time, then scroll down and tap Edit Widgets). It lists connected accessories including AirPods, a mouse, or a keyboard. It's more glanceable than the Bluetooth menu, but you still have to open Notification Center to see it.
For the full menu of widget options across categories, see best Mac desktop widgets.
Third-party tools for an always-on readout
If you want the AirPods level visible without opening anything, a few categories help:
- Menu bar battery utilities that add accessory percentages directly to the menu bar, so the number is always one glance away.
- Desktop widget apps that pin a battery card to your desktop.
- Bluetooth dashboards that show every connected peripheral and its charge.
The trade-off with menu bar pollers is that some check Bluetooth frequently and can nudge battery use up; our note on menu bar apps and battery explains what to watch for. If you also want your Mac's own battery percentage on screen, see show battery percentage on your desktop.
Keep AirPods battery on your wallpaper
The native tools answer the question, but they all hide the number behind a click. If you'd rather just look up and see it, a wallpaper dashboard keeps device batteries on screen all the time.
Orbl is a native macOS live wallpaper dashboard that can show your connected device and peripheral batteries — AirPods, mice, and keyboards — right on the desktop alongside your clock, weather, and machine stats. It's free, runs 100% locally, and idles near 0% CPU, so you get an always-visible AirPods level without adding a polling utility to your menu bar.
At a glance
| Method | Always visible? | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth menu | No (hover) | Menu bar |
| Control Center | No (one click) | Top-right menu bar |
| Batteries widget | No (open Notification Center) | Notification Center |
| Wallpaper dashboard | Yes | Desktop |
Use the Bluetooth menu for a quick check, and a desktop dashboard if you want the level in front of you all day.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my AirPods battery on a Mac?+
With your AirPods connected, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and hover over your AirPods to see the charge level. You can also open the AirPods near your Mac and check Control Center.
Why don't my AirPods show a battery level on Mac?+
They must be connected to that Mac over Bluetooth and out of the case (or with the case open nearby). If they are paired to another device or fully in a closed case, the level often will not appear.
Can I see AirPods battery without opening a menu?+
Not natively in a glanceable way. macOS hides the level inside the Bluetooth menu or Control Center. A desktop widget or wallpaper dashboard keeps it visible without clicking.
Does the AirPods case battery show on a Mac?+
The case level shows on iPhone widgets and in some third-party tools, but the Mac Bluetooth menu mainly reports the earbuds. Open the case lid near the Mac to improve detection.
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