Find Battery Health on your model
Open Settings → Battery. On iPhone 15 and later, tap Battery Health. On iPhone 14 and earlier, tap Battery Health & Charging. Recent models can also show cycle count, manufacture date, and first-use date.
Do not confuse the status bar's 80% charge remaining with 80% Maximum Capacity. The latter compares estimated capacity with the battery when new. Labels can differ by model, installed iOS release, and region, so follow the options shown on your phone.
- Record the iPhone model and iOS version.
- Open Battery Health or Battery Health & Charging.
- Note Maximum Capacity, any Service or performance message, and cycle count if shown.
- Compare recent Battery Usage to separate aging from app activity or weak coverage.
What does 80% mean?
Apple says iPhone 14 and earlier batteries are designed to retain 80% of original capacity after 500 complete cycles under ideal conditions; iPhone 15 and later batteries are designed for 80% after 1,000 cycles. These are design references, not a promise that an individual phone reaches exactly 80% at a particular cycle count.
Apple's battery service page says eligible AppleCare coverage includes replacement at no extra charge when capacity falls below 80%. Coverage, inspection, local terms, and the final service fee must be checked for your device. An 80% reading is not a universal free-replacement rule.
| What you see | How to interpret it | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Above 80%, normal use | The number alone does not call for service | Track real runtime |
| Near or below 80% | Capacity has declined; symptoms and coverage matter | Review service options |
| Service or performance message | The phone flags a battery concern | Back up and arrange evaluation |
| Shutdowns, swelling, or deformation | Potential power or safety problem | Stop stressing or charging a damaged phone; seek professional help |
When should you consider replacement?
Consider an Apple evaluation when Battery Health recommends service, the phone repeatedly shuts down unexpectedly, or comparable light use has become impractical. A percentage alone cannot diagnose charger, port, signal, screen, or background-app problems. Check those separately before assuming a new battery is the only fix.
Swelling, a lifted screen, deformation, odor, or unusual heat require prompt professional attention. Do not keep using a damaged battery to wait for a particular percentage, and do not attempt a home battery repair.
- Make and verify a recent backup.
- Save the Battery Health message and relevant usage details.
- Check coverage and local Apple or authorized-provider options; confirm the actual quote.
- After service, verify data and device behavior rather than just one percentage.
If health looks normal but runtime is poor
Use Settings → Battery to inspect Daily Usage, on-screen time, background work, and cellular coverage. Setup or an iOS update can temporarily increase activity. Use the related battery-drain guide to test one likely cause at a time instead of replacing a battery based on one bad day.
Sources were checked October 30, 2026. This is a documentation guide, not a hands-on battery benchmark. We do not predict remaining battery life, quote a universal repair price, or promise a fixed runtime gain after service.