When we come across the dilemma of our AirPods not showing up in the battery widget, it can be quite an inconvenience. The battery widget function is such a handy tool for quickly checking the charge levels of our connected devices, and certainly, we expect it to seamlessly display the battery status of our AirPods. Discovering your AirPods are missing from this widget is not only unexpected but can also disrupt the flow of our daily tech usage, especially for those of us relying on our AirPods for work calls, workouts, or enjoying media on the go.
In our exploration of this issue, we’ve identified a few common solutions that could put things back in order. Whether it’s a simple case of the AirPods not being properly connected, a software glitch, or a setting that isn’t configured correctly, solving the mystery of the missing battery widget usually doesn’t demand complex tech skills. It’s typically about following a series of troubleshooting steps which are designed to re-establish connection and functionality.
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Preliminary Checks
When addressing issues with AirPods not showing up in the battery widget on your iPhone, we first need to ensure a few basic but crucial settings are in order. Proper connectivity and battery checking are foundational to troubleshoot effectively.
Confirm Bluetooth Connectivity
First, let’s make sure that our AirPods are connected to the iPhone via Bluetooth. If they aren’t connected, they won’t show in the battery widget.
- Open the case of your AirPods near your iPhone to prompt a connection.
- Go to your iPhone’s Settings.
- Tap on Bluetooth and look for your AirPods in the list.
- If they are not listed as “Connected,” tap to connect them.
If your AirPods refuse to connect, it indicates an issue with the Bluetooth communication, which could be the reason behind the missing battery status.
Verify AirPods Battery Levels
Ensuring our AirPods have enough charge is another vital step. The battery status may not appear if the AirPods or their charging case are completely drained.
| Steps | Expected Outcome | Actions |
| Open the AirPods case. | Look for a status light inside the case. | Green light means charged; amber means less than one full charge remains. |
| Check on another iOS device. | AirPods should show up in the battery widget if not completely drained. | If they don’t show up, charge your AirPods and the case. |
By confirming Bluetooth connectivity and verifying that our AirPods and the charging case have sufficient battery levels, we address two common issues that could prevent the devices from displaying in the battery widget.
Adding and Managing Widgets
Widgets on our iPhone or iPad offer a quick view of information and quick access to apps. With iOS 14 and later, adding and customizing widgets to the Home Screen or Lock Screen has become a seamless process.
Add Battery Widget to Home Screen
Customize Widget Style and Location
| Step | Action | Result |
| 1 | Long-press a widget until the quick actions menu appears. | Widget enters edit mode. |
| 2 | Choose “Edit Home Screen”. | Widgets start to jiggle. |
| 3 | Drag the widget to reposition it. | Widgets can be placed on Home or Lock Screen. |
| 4 | Tap “Done” to save changes. | The new widget style and location are set. |
After adding our Battery Widget, we can customize its style and location using the edit mode. We can opt for different widget sizes for more or less detail. Our changes can also reflect the importance and frequency of the widget’s use, ensuring a personalized experience on our devices. The Battery Widget provides us a quick overview of our device’s current battery status, which can be convenient when we’re trying to monitor our AirPods’ battery life throughout the day.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
When facing a missing battery widget for your AirPods, it’s crucial to systematically address the problem through a series of troubleshooting steps we can undertake to resolve the issue.
Restart Devices
One of the first steps we recommend is to perform a simple restart on your iPhone and AirPods. For iPhones, a soft reset can often rectify minor software glitches. This is done by holding down the power button (and volume button on newer models) until the power-off slider appears, sliding to turn off the device, and then holding the power button to turn it back on. For AirPods, placing them back in the case and waiting a few seconds before taking them out can act as a form of reset.
- Press and hold the Power button and Volume button (if required) simultaneously.
- Slide to power off when the slider appears.
- Wait for the device to shut down completely.
- Press and hold the Power button to turn the device back on.
Steps to Restart AirPods:
- Place the AirPods back into the charging case.
- Wait for about 15 seconds.
- Remove the AirPods and try connecting again.
Update Your Software
Ensuring the iOS on your iPhone is updated to the latest version is a key step. Outdated software can lead to compatibility issues with the AirPods and battery widget. To update, open the Settings app, tap on General, and then select Software Update. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install.
- Open Settings and go to General.
- Tap on Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
- Follow any additional prompts to complete the update.
Reset and Reconnect AirPods
If a restart doesn’t fix the issue, we may need to reset the AirPods. This involves putting your AirPods back in their case, holding the setup button until the status light flashes amber, and then white, signaling a successful reset. We’ll then reconnect the AirPods to your device by holding them near the iPhone, opening the case, and following the on-screen instructions.
For a full reset such as the ‘Reset All Settings’ option on iPhone, navigate to Settings > General > Reset, and choose ‘Reset All Settings’. This doesn’t erase content but will reset system settings like Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and privacy settings.
- Put your AirPods in their charging case.
- Open the lid and press and hold the setup button on the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber and then white.
- Reconnect your AirPods by holding them close to your iPhone and following the setup instructions.
To Reset iPhone Settings:
- Navigate to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap ‘Reset All Settings’.
- Enter your passcode if prompted and confirm the reset.
Additional Tips and Integrations
Having trouble with your AirPods not displaying on your battery widget can be frustrating, but there are alternative methods to keep track of your AirPods’ battery life. Below we discuss two supportive ways to monitor your AirPods.
Use Siri and Control Center for Quick Access
Just say, “Hey Siri, what’s the battery life of my AirPods?” Alternatively, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone (or swipe up on models with a Home button) to reveal Control Center. Here, the battery levels may be visible when your AirPods are connected.
Explore Widgets for Other Apple Devices
If the main widget isn’t cooperating, you might look into other solutions, especially if you own multiple Apple devices. Here’s how other devices can help:
| Apple Watch | Mac |
| The battery glance on Apple Watch can sometimes display the battery levels of your AirPods, providing an at-a-glance status while on your wrist. | On your Mac, click on the Bluetooth menu or use the ‘Today View’ to check the charge level of your AirPods when they are connected. |
While not a direct substitute for the battery widget on your iPhone, these methods ensure you’re aware of your AirPods’ battery life. If you find the batteries widget consistently unreliable, consider integrating your Apple Watch or Mac into your approach for this task. This way, you stay informed and maximize the use of all your Apple devices’ capabilities.