The Battery Icon Is Back With iOS 16, But Not For All iPhones

    The battery life icon returns to the status bar on select iPhones with iOS16.
    James Martin/CNET
    

    Apple’s latest significant software update, iOS 16, came with an impressive set of features, including the?return of the battery life icon to the status bar. Most iPhones, including the new iPhone 14, sport the default feature, as do all iPads once you download the new iOS16 update. However, not all iPhones support the new battery icon feature, even if your phone is compatible with the software update.
    According to an Apple support page published Monday, the iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 Mini models don’t display the battery icon in the status bar. Instead, owners of these devices will have to continue checking battery status as they always have: by swiping down to the Control Center.
    No word as to why those specific iPhones were left out, and Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the battery icon will be available on the devices in the future.?
    Read more:?Apple iOS 16 Released: Here’s Everything New on Your iPhone
    Other exciting iOS 16 features, such as editing and unsending messages, customizable lock screens, and verification that your AirPods are indeed AirPods, appear to be available on the iPhones that go left out of the battery icon update.?
    The battery life display is set to default with the iOS 16 update, but if for some reason it’s not appearing on your iPhone (and you don’t have one of the models listed above), you can activate it under Settings > Battery, then turn on Battery Percentage.