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To check how much capacity your battery has left, use your device’s built-in battery-health tools: iPhone Battery Health, supported Pixel Battery health, a Windows 11 battery report, or Mac System Information. The current charge percentage is different: it tells you how full the battery is now, not how much it can hold compared with when it was new.
What battery health and remaining capacity mean
Maximum or remaining capacity is an estimate of how much charge a battery can hold relative to its capacity when new. It is not the percentage shown in the status bar. A battery can show 100% current charge while its maximum capacity has declined, so it may run for less time than it did when new.
These readings are estimates. Model, calibration, use and charging history can affect the displayed value. Cycle count is another useful clue, but it is not a universal replacement verdict.
Check battery health on an iPhone
iPhone 15 and later
On iPhone 15 models and later running iOS 17.4 or later, open Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Apple says this screen includes maximum capacity and may also show cycle count, manufacture date, first-use date and whether replacement is recommended. See Apple’s iPhone battery and performance guidance.
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iPhone 11, 12, 13 and 14
Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to view maximum capacity and peak-performance information. Available details vary by model and software version.
Apple’s design targets are 80% of original capacity after 500 complete cycles for iPhone 14 and earlier, and after 1,000 complete cycles for iPhone 15 and later, under ideal conditions. Those are generation-specific design targets, not a prediction of an individual phone’s runtime or a rule that every battery below 80% must be replaced.
Check battery health on Android
Google Pixel
On Pixel 8a and later, open Settings > Battery > Battery health, then choose Battery capacity to see estimated remaining capacity. Google says this feature is unavailable on Pixel Tablet. Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro do not display battery health status. Details are in Google’s Pixel battery guidance.
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- Cell Number: NiCd / NiMH (4 - 7 Cells), Lithium Type (2 - 7 Cells)
- Display Mode: Battery cell voltages, Total voltages, Lowest cell voltage, Highest cell voltage, Voltage gap between highest cell voltage and lowest cell voltage, Remaining battery capacity(%)
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Google labels health “Reduced” when estimated capacity is below 80% and recommends considering replacement. Its cycle guidance differs by model group: Pixel 3 through Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel Fold are designed to retain up to 80% for about 800 cycles; Pixel 8a and later, for about 1,000 cycles, when charged as recommended. These figures are model-group guidance, not guarantees for a particular phone.
Other Android phones
Android settings and battery reporting differ among manufacturers and models. Search Settings for “battery health” or consult the support page for the exact phone model. A Pixel path or feature should not be assumed to exist on another Android phone.
Check battery health on a Windows laptop
Windows 11 includes a battery report that provides usage and estimated-capacity information. To create and open it:
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- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Run
powercfg /batteryreport. - Note the file location printed in Command Prompt and open the HTML report there.
- Review Installed battery, Recent usage and Battery usage.
The report uses the laptop’s built-in reporting and does not require a separate battery tester. Fields can vary depending on the battery and device firmware. Microsoft’s instructions apply to Windows 11: Caring for your battery in Windows.
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One-click scans. No signup required.
Check battery information on a Mac laptop
To see cycle count, hold Option while opening the Apple menu, choose System Information, then select Hardware > Power. The current cycle count appears under Battery Information. Apple’s Mac laptop cycle-count instructions explain that limits vary by model; identify your exact Mac before comparing its count with Apple’s table.
For Macs with Apple silicon, Apple notes that software updates can trigger recalibration of displayed maximum capacity. Cycle count should be considered alongside battery condition, runtime, symptoms, model and software. Apple describes a normal design target of up to 80% of original capacity at the model’s maximum cycle count; see Apple’s battery health management guidance.
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- When connected to an external battery, USB-C output up to 30W and USB-A output up to 22.5W. Convenient for powering small devices in the field. (Note: USB-C and USB-A are output only, not input.)
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How to interpret capacity and cycle count
Capacity is not the current charge
Current charge answers how full the battery is right now. Maximum or remaining capacity estimates what it can hold compared with when it was new. For example, a device can be charged to 100% while holding less energy than it did when new.
A cycle is cumulative use
A cycle does not mean every time you plug in. Apple’s example: using half the battery one day, recharging, then using half the next day adds up to one complete cycle. Google likewise counts partial discharges toward a full cycle. Cycle counts are most useful when interpreted against the guidance for that model, not compared directly across unrelated device families.
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Manufacturer guidance is model-specific. Treat a “service” or “Reduced” status as a reason to review service options, then consider whether real-world runtime still meets your needs. A cycle number or capacity percentage on its own cannot establish how long your particular device will continue to serve you.
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- 【7 Modes Display Monitor】 DROK USB Tester is equipped with digital color LED display screen, which can be switched between 7 display modes. This multimeter can be used to measure voltage, current, power, capacity. Through the 7 modes, you can clearly see the voltage, current, capacity and power during charging. Only 1 button to switch the display mode, simple and handy.
- 【Dual USB Output】 This item is equipped with USB-A USB-C input and dual USB 2.0 output. The output ports support PD QC 3.0 fast charge protocol. This meter can auto identify the fast charge protocol, which can charge your device among 3.6V to 12V 3A. Output Ⅰ can be used for device charging and data transfer, and output Ⅱ can only be used for charging.
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When to seek service
Consider manufacturer or authorized service if the device recommends service or replacement, runtime has become inadequate for your needs, or the battery has a physical problem. Apple says built-in lithium-ion polymer batteries should be serviced by Apple or an authorized service provider and offers replacement for MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro notebooks with built-in batteries. See Apple Batteries: Service and Recycling. Google provides Pixel repair options and replacement guidance in its Pixel battery help. Availability and terms depend on product and location.
If you choose a replacement battery, identify the exact phone or laptop model and confirm compatibility before buying. No accessory or separate tester is needed just to check battery health.
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