To check iPhone battery health, open Settings, tap Battery, then tap Battery Health on iPhone 15 and later, or Battery Health & Charging on iPhone 14 and earlier. Maximum Capacity shows how much charge the battery holds compared with when it was new. A Service message means replacement is worth considering.
Your iPhone already measures its own battery condition, and you can read the results in a few taps. This guide explains where to find them, what each number and message means, and what to do next. You will also learn why a healthy-looking percentage can still come with poor battery life.
Key takeaways
- The menu name depends on your model: Battery Health for iPhone 15 and later, Battery Health & Charging for iPhone 14 and earlier.
- Maximum Capacity compares today’s battery with a new one. It does not show how much charge is left right now.
- Cycle count appears in Settings only on iPhone 15 and later with iOS 17.4 or later.
- A Service label or a significantly degraded message is a reason to consider replacement. It is not an emergency by itself.
Check iPhone battery health in Settings
Apple places battery information under the Battery menu. The exact path changes with the iPhone generation, so match the steps to your model. If you cannot find the screen, update to the latest iOS version first, because older software may label or arrange things differently.
iPhone 15 and later
On iPhone 15 models and later running iOS 17.4 or later, Apple’s Battery Health screen shows more than older models do.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Battery.
- Tap Battery Health.
You should see battery health and Maximum Capacity. You should also see the cycle count, the manufacture date, and the date the battery was first used. The screen also tells you whether a battery replacement is recommended.
iPhone 14 and earlier
Older models use a slightly different menu name.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Battery.
- Tap Battery Health & Charging.
This screen shows Maximum Capacity and Peak Performance Capability. It also holds the charging controls, including Optimized Battery Charging. It does not show a cycle count.
What Maximum Capacity tells you
Maximum Capacity is a percentage that compares your battery’s current capacity with its capacity when new. A lower number means the battery holds less charge, which usually means fewer hours between charges. It is not the same as the battery level shown in the status bar.
A brand-new phone may show slightly less than 100 percent. Apple notes this can happen depending on how long the iPhone sat between manufacture and activation. That is normal and not a defect.
Apple designs iPhone 14 batteries and earlier to retain 80 percent of original capacity after 500 complete charge cycles under ideal conditions. Batteries in iPhone 15 models and later are designed for 1,000 cycles to reach the same 80 percent point. Real results depend on how you use and charge the phone, so treat these figures as design targets, not guarantees.
Understand Peak Performance Capability and battery messages
On models that show it, the Peak Performance Capability section reports whether the battery can deliver the bursts of power the phone needs. Here is what the main messages mean:
- Performance is normal: The battery currently supports normal peak performance.
- Performance management applied: The phone shut down unexpectedly because the battery could not deliver enough power. iOS then limited some peak performance to reduce the chance of repeat shutdowns.
- Performance management turned off: You disabled that protection manually. It switches back on automatically if another unexpected shutdown occurs.
- Battery health significantly degraded: Apple says an authorized service provider can replace the battery to restore capacity and performance. Apple states this message does not indicate a safety issue.
- Unable to verify: The phone cannot confirm it has a genuine Apple battery, so the displayed health data may be inaccurate. This applies to iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and later. Older models such as iPhone X may instead say they are unable to determine battery health.
If you see “Unable to verify,” do not assume the battery is dangerous. It means the numbers on screen may not be reliable. A service check from Apple or a qualified repair provider can confirm the real condition.
Check the cycle count
A charge cycle is complete when you have used an amount equal to 100 percent of the battery’s capacity. That can be spread across several partial charges, so one cycle does not always mean one full day. Apple counts the cycle on a scale normalized between 80 and 100 percent of original capacity.
On iPhone 15 and later with iOS 17.4 or later, find the count under Settings > Battery > Battery Health. On iPhone 14 and earlier, Apple does not display it in Settings. Independent tools may claim to read it, but their results may not match Apple’s own screen, so use Settings as your reference wherever it is available.
Compare the cycle count with Maximum Capacity. A high count with a low percentage fits ordinary wear. A low count with a surprisingly low percentage deserves a professional check, especially if the phone has been exposed to heat or has had a prior repair.
Match what you see to the next step
Use this table to decide what to try next. These are possible causes, not confirmed faults.
| Symptom | Possible cause | Recommended next step |
| Maximum Capacity is above 80% and battery life is acceptable | Normal aging | Keep using the phone and recheck every few months |
| Maximum Capacity is 80% or lower | Battery near the end of its designed lifespan | Consider a battery replacement through Apple or a qualified provider |
| A Service label or significantly degraded message appears | Battery has aged enough that Apple recommends service | Follow the onscreen instructions and review your warranty or coverage |
| Unexpected shutdowns or “performance management applied” | Aged battery struggling to deliver peak power, often worse in cold or at low charge | Back up the phone and have the battery checked |
| “Unable to verify” message | Battery cannot be confirmed as genuine, or health data is unreliable | Book a service check to confirm the battery’s real condition |
| Healthy percentage but fast drain | Software activity, apps, or signal conditions | Review Battery usage in Settings before blaming the battery |
When battery health looks fine but the battery drains fast
A good Maximum Capacity figure does not rule out other causes of poor battery life. Apple’s guidance points to software and usage first. These checks are safe and reversible:
- Update to the latest iOS version. After an update, background tasks can briefly affect battery life, so wait a few days and then check again.
- Open Settings > Battery and look for suggestions or Insights above Daily Usage. Insights such as an ongoing update explain temporary drain.
- Check the Daily Usage chart (iOS 26 or later) and App and System Activity Usage to spot apps using unusual power.
- Try Low Power Mode under Settings > Battery > Power Mode.
- Use Wi-Fi when you can, and avoid long stretches in weak-signal areas, since a poor signal raises power use.
If the drain continues and Maximum Capacity is also low, the battery is a more likely cause. If the capacity is high and the drain persists, the problem may be a specific app or a different hardware fault, and a diagnostic visit is the sensible next step.
When to replace the battery and who should do it
Replace the battery when Maximum Capacity is at or below 80 percent, a Service message appears, or you have unexpected shutdowns that disrupt daily use. If your phone is still within its one-year warranty, Apple says the warranty covers a defective battery, in addition to rights under local consumer laws. Out of warranty, Apple offers battery service for a fee. Check any AppleCare coverage terms before paying.
Battery replacement is not a beginner DIY job. It means opening a sealed device and handling a lithium-ion battery bonded with adhesive. Puncturing or bending a battery can cause a fire. Stop using a phone that has a swollen battery, a bulging case, or an unusual hot smell. Do not charge it, and take it to a professional rather than trying to open it yourself.
Back up your iPhone before any service visit. Repairs can occasionally require a reset or replacement of the device.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good iPhone battery health percentage?
Anything above 80 percent is generally within what Apple designs for. Apple’s design targets say iPhone 14 batteries and earlier should keep 80 percent after 500 cycles, and iPhone 15 and later after 1,000 cycles, under ideal conditions. A new phone showing slightly under 100 percent is normal.
Why can’t I find Battery Health on my iPhone?
The menu name depends on your model. iPhone 15 and later use Battery Health, while iPhone 14 and earlier use Battery Health & Charging. If neither appears, update iOS and look again. A cycle count only appears on iPhone 15 and later with iOS 17.4 or later.
Can I see the cycle count on an iPhone 14 or earlier?
Not in Settings. Apple shows the cycle count only on iPhone 15 and later with iOS 17.4 or later. Third-party tools exist, but their figures may not match Apple’s. For older models, rely on Maximum Capacity and the on-screen messages, which Apple provides directly.
Is a degraded battery message a safety warning?
Apple states that the significantly degraded message does not indicate a safety issue, and you can keep using the phone. You may notice shorter battery life and more performance effects. Physical signs, such as a swollen battery or a hot, bulging case, are different and should stop your use immediately.
Why did my Maximum Capacity change after an update?
On iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max, iOS 14.5 and later recalibrate battery health reporting to correct inaccurate estimates. For other models, recheck after a few days. If the figure drops sharply alongside shutdowns or severe drain, have the battery checked.
Should I replace my battery at 85 percent?
Usually not. Apple’s guidance points to replacement near 80 percent or when a Service message appears. At 85 percent, check how the phone actually behaves. If battery life suits you and there are no shutdowns, replacement can wait, and recheck every few months.
Does a Service label mean the battery has failed?
No. It means the battery has aged enough that Apple recommends replacement to restore full capacity and performance. The phone can keep working, though you may notice shorter battery life or performance effects. Plan service when convenient, and back up your data first.
Conclusion
Open Settings, tap Battery, and use Battery Health or Battery Health & Charging to read Maximum Capacity and any battery messages. On iPhone 15 and later, add the cycle count to your assessment. Try software and usage fixes first if the percentage looks healthy but battery life is poor. Seek service when you reach about 80 percent, see a Service message, or notice repeated shutdowns, and stop using any phone with a swollen or overheating battery.
Disclaimer
This guide is general information based on Apple’s published documentation and does not replace a professional inspection. Back up your iPhone before any repair or software change, and do not attempt to open the device or handle a damaged battery yourself. Menu names and features can vary by model and iOS version, so confirm details with Apple Support or a qualified technician.
