iOS 16 brought widgets to the iPhone lock screen for the first time, and the battery widget is one of the most useful: a quick glance tells you how much charge your iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch have left. By default it automatically switches between devices — but you can also pin it to one specific gadget so it always shows exactly what you want. Here’s how to customize it.
What the battery widget does by default
Out of the box, the battery widget uses an Automatic mode: it intelligently picks which device’s battery level to display, switching between your iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, and other connected accessories as their status changes. That’s convenient, but if you only ever care about one device — say, your AirPods before a commute — the constant switching gets annoying. Pinning the widget to a single device solves that. Apple’s iPhone User Guide covers lock screen widgets in more detail.
How to pin the battery widget to a specific device
- Wake your iPhone and long-press the lock screen until the Customize button appears, then tap Customize.
- Tap the battery widget (or add one to the widget area below the clock if you haven’t yet) to open its settings.
- Switch the Automatic toggle off.
- From the Devices list, pick the exact gadget whose battery level you want shown — your iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, and so on.
- Tap Done to save.
The widget now stays locked to that device instead of auto-switching. If you’re rearranging your lock screen, our guide on moving lock screen widgets down pairs well with this one.
Which devices can appear in the list
The Devices list shows your iPhone, AirPods (including the case), Apple Watch, and other battery-reporting accessories paired with your phone. The same Automatic device-selection behavior exists on newer iOS versions too, and the lock screen widget behaves the same way as the Batteries widget on the home screen and in Today view — pin one, and you know the pattern for all of them. For more lock screen flair, see our guide to the liquid glass lock screen clock.
If your device doesn’t show up
Devices only appear in the list while they’re connected to your iPhone — so if your AirPods or Apple Watch are missing, pair and connect them first, then reopen the widget settings. If a connected device still doesn’t appear, toggle Bluetooth off and back on, or restart the iPhone. And if the widget itself misbehaves after an iOS update, removing it and re-adding it to the lock screen usually clears things up. MacRumors’ iOS 16 roundup has more on the lock screen’s widget system.
Frequently asked questions
Can I show multiple devices at once?
A single battery widget shows one device at a time (or auto-switches between them). To monitor several gadgets simultaneously, add multiple battery widgets to your lock screen or home screen, each pinned to a different device.
Does pinning the widget save battery?
Not meaningfully — the widget only displays battery levels; it doesn’t change how often they’re measured. But it does save you the minor annoyance of the display switching to a device you don’t care about.
Conclusion
The battery widget’s Automatic mode is fine, but pinning it to one device is better if you always check the same gadget. Long-press the lock screen, open the widget’s settings, turn off Automatic, pick your device, and you’re done — your battery level, always exactly where you expect it.
