After updating to iOS 26 and WatchOS 26, I no longer have the option to add the watch battery widget to the phone lock screen like I had previously. Anyone else have the problem?
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Missing watch battery widget for lockscreen
- Thread starter Apple_Robert
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still there but if you own airpods that takes precedence if there in range i only see watch battery when airpods are out of range i.e left them at home when outside . been like that throughout the beta period.
I miss it. As the previous member mentioned, Apple decided that AirPods should take precedence. I really don't understand the thinking behind that.
I wish we could get an alert on our other devices about the watch battery status as well. especially with phone apps and notifications now available on the Mac.
If you want to see the status of your watch battery on the lock screen, as well as other battery apple devices, I highly suggest you take a look at the app 'AllmyBatteries.'
apps.apple.com
AllMyBatteries
Looking for a reliable and efficient battery management app for your devices? Look no further than AllMyBatteries! Say goodbye to those embarrassing moments when your device battery dies unexpectedly. AllMyBatteries is the ultimate housekeeper for all your electronic devices. With this app...
apps.apple.com
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If you go to the lock screen customization page, you can double tap on the battery widget and select which device to show.
The watch doesn't show like it used to in iOS 18 hence the thread. In iOS 26, It won't show if you have Airpods in range.
When you double tap in the customization options for the widget, turn off the Automatic option. That will unlock another option which will allow you to specify which device you want battery information shown in the widget. That’s what I had to do so that the Apple Watch battery information would show instead of the AirPods.
Ah Ha! Thank you so much for contributing. Problem solved although now I really like seeing 3 of my device batteries at the same time with the app I mentioned (and shown in my pic attachment. I am going to make a note of your reply in Apple Notes for future reference.
I am unable to cause anything to happen when I double tap on the battery widget in the lock screen customizations. I've tried double tapping when NOT in Edit mode and when in Edit mode. Nothing happens. When I long press when not in Edit mode, I get a menu, but there is no option like "Automatic". I only have the "Remove Widget" and "EditHome Screen" menu items, along with four icons that select the various sizes of the widget. But no means of selecting what devices to show battery level for.
OK Custumize, make sure the battery widget in on the screen, even if its AirPods. You should be in the mode where the widgets have - by them so they can be removed. Double click the Airpods widget you want to change. Wait a second and another box should appear with an "automatic" switch. Turn it off. Then select your watch or other device, and back out and AirPods should change to watch.
In the early Apple day I always liked their products because they were intuitive. Those days are long gone. Maybe they need another version of their OS for simplicity. As I see all OSX 26 settings there are SO MANY that there are like 10 places anything could fail, even simple settings like ringtones are controlled by 10 settings. Its really getting bad and were will it end.
In the early Apple day I always liked their products because they were intuitive. Those days are long gone. Maybe they need another version of their OS for simplicity. As I see all OSX 26 settings there are SO MANY that there are like 10 places anything could fail, even simple settings like ringtones are controlled by 10 settings. Its really getting bad and were will it end.
Go into Edit Mode, tap the Widget area to Add Widgets, single tap the battery widget in the Widget Area and you'll get the menu to change from Automatic to whatever device you want to show the battery for.
Just to be clear, I am having the issue on an iPhone and not a Mac. When I go into lock screen customize mode (- by each widget), and then “double click” or “long press” or “tap” on the battery widget, nothing happens. I get no popup. When I get out of customize mode, and long press on the battery icon, I do get a popup, but there are only two menu items (Remove Widget and Edit Home Screen), plus 4 icons for choosing the size of the widget. There is no “Automatic” option there.
One thing to note: when I go into lock screen customization mode, and tap on the Weather or Calendar widgets, these *do* flip around and show me options. But the Battery widget just acknowledges my tap (my growing slightly) but doesn’t flip around and give me any options.
You are Double Tapping on the AirPods icon on the LOCK SCREEN Not the AirPods Icon in the Battery Area? You must place the AirPod Battery Icon on the lock screen before double clicking. It seems like you should convert the AirPod Battery Icon to a Watch Battery Icon when it’s still in the Battery tray. No. You have to do it when it’s on the lock screen. Maybe you are. If it still doesn’t work, it seems to indicate the only other device on your Apple account is the AirPods not your watch. If that Still doesnt work wait for 26.1. I can tell you 26.0 is very buggy.
Ah. I mistakenly said lock screen when I meant the Home Screen (left-most panel where all the other panels show app icons). I have the battery widget there — and this is the one that shows the phone battery in the upper left quadrant and no other icons in the rectangle. There should be a Watch battery indicator there as well.
Also, I never mentioned AirPods and don’t have/use them. I do have a connected Apple Watch and it is that device whose battery icon I want to see (along with my iPhone’s).
Also, I never mentioned AirPods and don’t have/use them. I do have a connected Apple Watch and it is that device whose battery icon I want to see (along with my iPhone’s).
Mine works fine. It shows my watch battery and my phone battery.
Mine shows my watch battery. It was on automatic and I switched it to watch.
its a bit temperamental if use my finger has opposed to thumb which a single tap on battery icon using finger brings up a menu to select devices so you can if you want have multiple devices displayed. hope the screenshots are some help . note the use of finger to open the menu
I just got the new AirPods Pro 3 to replace my 1st gen AirPods Pro and have come across this same problem/annoyance. I have 2 Apple Watches I swap out during the day and it would easily switch the battery widget when set to automatic between the 2 watches and would only show the original AirPods Pro when I had them in my ears. As others have state here, not sure if it's an AirPods Pro 3 or iOS 26 battery widget issue, anytime the AirPods Pro 3 are within range it takes highest precedence in the automatic setting battery widget. This seems totally backwards to me. I want either of my watches to be shown there instead of the AirPods Pro is doing now. The only time the AirPods Pro should ever be prioritized is when they are in my ears. Even then I would rather most times the watch battery levels be shown instead.
I submitted feedback to Apple regarding this issue if anyone wants to reference mine, here is the Feedback ID and Title:
FB20587563 (iOS 26 battery lock screen widget)
I submitted feedback to Apple regarding this issue if anyone wants to reference mine, here is the Feedback ID and Title:
FB20587563 (iOS 26 battery lock screen widget)
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I have selected the widget on the lock screen to show Airpods Pro 3 case, but most of the time it doesn’t show anything. Even if I open the case and get the Airpods pop-up on the phone, lock screen widget doesn’t update.
Anyone else having this problem?
(iPhone 16 Pro Max and iOS 26.0.1)
Anyone else having this problem?
(iPhone 16 Pro Max and iOS 26.0.1)
