How to Check Battery Health on iPhone and Android -

Quick answer: On an iPhone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. On a Pixel 8a or newer, go to Settings > Battery > Battery health. On a Samsung Galaxy, open the Samsung Members app, tap Support, run Phone diagnostics and tap Battery status. If capacity has dropped below about 80 percent, a battery replacement is usually worth considering.

Phone batteries wear out slowly, so you rarely notice the day yours starts struggling. Checking its health takes under a minute and tells you whether your problem is the battery or something else, like an app draining it in the background.

Here’s where to look on each type of phone, what the numbers mean, and when a replacement makes sense, updated for late 2026.

How to check battery health on iPhone

Open Settings.
Tap Battery.
Tap Battery Health.

You’ll see two things. Maximum Capacity is, in Apple’s words, your battery’s capacity “relative to when it was new.” Peak Performance Capability tells you whether the battery can still deliver full power, or whether iOS has applied performance management to stop unexpected shutdowns.

Check the cycle count (iPhone 15 and later)

iPhone 15 and newer models also show the battery’s cycle count, along with its manufacture date and first use date. On iPhone 15 models this first appeared under Settings > General > About, as Tom’s Guide explains; on recent versions of iOS, look in the Battery Health screen as well. A cycle is one full 100 percent of charge used, whether that’s in one go or across several partial charges.

What’s normal for an iPhone

Apple says iPhone 14 and earlier batteries are designed to keep 80 percent of their original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles, and iPhone 15 models and later at 1,000 cycles, under ideal conditions. So a two-year-old iPhone 13 at 84 percent is normal wear, not a fault.

How to check battery health on a Google Pixel

Google’s Pixel help page says battery health is available on the Pixel 8a and later:

Open Settings.
Tap Battery, then Battery health.
You’ll see a status of Normal or Reduced. Tap Battery capacity for an estimate.

“Reduced” means capacity has fallen below 80 percent, and Google recommends a replacement at that point. To see the cycle count, go to Settings > About phone > Battery information.

Google rates Pixel 8a and later batteries for about 1,000 cycles, and older models (Pixel 3 through Pixel 8 Pro and the Fold) for about 800 cycles. If you own an older Pixel, there’s no built-in battery health screen; a Google service centre can test it.

How to check battery health on a Samsung Galaxy

Samsung’s support page uses the Samsung Members app, which comes preinstalled on most Galaxy phones:

Open Samsung Members.
Go to the Support tab.
Under Phone diagnostics, tap Get Started.
When diagnostics finish, tap Battery status.

You’ll get one of three results: Normal (no issues), Weak (efficiency has dropped from long-term use or conditions) or Bad (significantly degraded; Samsung suggests visiting a service centre).

Phones on One UI 9 also get a Warranty and Care section in Settings with self-diagnostics and service booking, which can save you a step.

Other Android phones (OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo and more)

There’s no single standard. Many brands put battery information in Settings > Battery, sometimes under an option called battery health, battery status or something similar. Use the search bar at the top of Settings and type “battery health.”

If your phone doesn’t show it, the brand’s own support or diagnostics app is the safest bet. Be wary of third-party “battery doctor” apps; they often estimate capacity from charging behaviour and can be inaccurate, and some are packed with ads.

What the numbers mean, and when to replace the battery

What you see	What it means	What to do
Above 85% / Normal	Healthy battery	Nothing; look for apps draining power if life feels short
80-85%	Normal wear for an older phone	Fine to keep using; plan ahead
Below 80% / Reduced / Bad	Noticeably shorter battery life	Consider an official battery replacement

A replacement battery from an authorised service centre is usually far cheaper than a new phone, and it can make an older phone feel new again. If you’re also thinking about updating an older iPhone, our iOS 27 guide explains which models it supports.

How to slow down battery wear

Avoid heat. Don’t leave your phone in a hot car or charge it under a pillow. Heat is the biggest cause of battery ageing. Our guide to fixing an overheating phone has more tips.
Use the charge limit if you have one. On iPhone 15 and later, Apple lets you set a charge limit from 80 to 100 percent in 5 percent steps under Settings > Battery > Charging.
Leave Optimized Battery Charging on. Apple says it delays charging past 80 percent when it predicts you’ll be plugged in for a long time, such as overnight. It needs about 14 days to learn your routine.
Store it half-charged. If you’re putting a phone away for a while, Apple recommends leaving it at around half charge.

Frequently asked questions

Is 85% battery health good?

Yes. It’s normal wear for a phone that’s a year or two old. Apple and Google both design batteries to keep about 80 percent capacity for hundreds of cycles, so you don’t need a replacement yet.

Why can’t I see battery health on my Pixel?

Google’s built-in battery health screen only works on the Pixel 8a and later. Older Pixels don’t have it, so you’d need a service centre to test the battery.

Does fast charging damage my battery?

Phones manage fast charging to protect the battery, but it does generate more heat, and heat speeds up wear. Using a charge limit or optimised charging overnight helps balance convenience and long-term health.

How often should I check battery health?

Every few months is plenty. Battery wear is gradual, so checking daily won’t tell you much. Check sooner if your phone suddenly starts dying early or shutting down unexpectedly.

Can I check battery health without an app?

On iPhone and Pixel 8a or newer, yes, it’s in Settings. On Samsung, the Samsung Members app is preinstalled, so you don’t need to download anything.

Find more battery, storage and settings guides in our Smartphones and Mobile section.

How to Check Battery Health on iPhone and Android