Apple’s iOS 16.1 Update Fixes An Annoying Battery Issue On Your iPhone
No more guessing how much charge you have left.
When iOS 16 was first released in September 2022, you probably spent some time playing around with the best features the update has to offer, like the edit sent messages function and the photo cutout tool. One feature that caught users’ eyes was the new battery percentage monitor, which finally brought back the classic battery countdown that’s been missing since 2017. Fans initially took issue with the way the feature looked, but Apple updated its design in the new iOS 16.1 update on Oct. 24. So, if you want your battery icon to “drain” in step with your actual percentage, here’s how you can show your iPhone battery percentage with the new iOS 16.1 update.
IYDK, Apple took away one of its most helpful features, the battery percentage counter, when the company launched the iPhone X back in 2017. According to The Verge, the reason behind the change was because the then-new notch took up too much space for the once-essential feature, and made it so the only way you can check your battery life was by pulling down the Control Center, which remained the only way until iOS 16. Once the 2022 software update became available on Sept. 12, users were finally provided a tool to always know how much battery you have left with an iOS 16 battery life feature that displayed the percentage inside the battery icon. The feature made for the perfect space-saver for the notch, but users took issue with the way the battery icon remained completely filled even as their battery life went down, instead of draining along with the percentage. For example, it would say you have 50% battery, but it would still show a full battery icon.
Well, it seems like Apple heard the complaints, because the new iOS 16.1 update comes with an upgraded design that goes down as your battery percentage does. Feedback works, y’all.
If you’re eager to try out the feature now that it’s fixed but are stumped on how to get it because the battery percentage monitor doesn’t automatically appear once you update your phone — you’ll have to turn it on yourself, but the process is super simple. To have the convenience of always knowing your iPhone’s battery percentage, here’s what you need to do.
How To Show Battery Percentage On iPhone With iOS 16.1
Like all updates, the first step is to actually update your phone. Once that step has been taking care of, the battery percentage countdown can be turned on in Settings. To find it, all you have to do is:
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down to the Battery tab, then tap it.
- At the top, there should be an option that says “Battery Percentage” with a gray toggle next to it.
- Tap the toggle to turn it green.
After you’ve done that, your battery percentage should appear inside the Battery icon, which is located in the top right corner of the screen next to the Wifi icon. Yup, it’s that easy.
You might’ve heard the feature would be getting an upgrade when MacStories Editor-In-Chief Federico Viticci reported shortly after the release of iOS 16 that Apple had tweaked the design of the illustrated battery drain with the iOS 16.1 beta.
Why Can’t I Turn On Battery Percentage On iPhone?
The battery draining design isn’t the only upgrade the feature got with iOS 16.1. Apple users with an iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11 were unable to turn on the feature with iOS 16, but according to MacRumors, the battery percentage tool is now available for all these devices. That being said, there are still some models that are unable to access the feature, so if you’re having issues turning on the tool, that could be why.
Older iPhone models like the iPhone 8 and earlier, and the second and third generation iPhone SE were also excluded from using the updated battery function with iOS 16, and it looks like that hasn’t changed. MacRumors reported in September that only the iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 13 mini would be given access to the feature with iOS 16.1, which means older iPhone models are stuck with the OG design. It’s definitely a bummer, but now that the feature is available for more models, this might be the perfect time to upgrade your device.
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