Thursday, December 25, 2025

iOS 26 Finally Shows When Your iPhone Will Finish Charging

iOS 26 Finally Shows When Your iPhone Will Finish Charging

With iOS 26, Apple stops guessing games and tells you exactly how long your iPhone needs to finish charging. iPhone users can see a time-based charging estimate instead of relying on battery percentages alone. It is a small change that makes everyday charging far more predictable.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor
December 25, 2025


iOS 26
You plug in your iPhone at 41 percent and glance at the clock. 

Will it hit 80 percent before you leave? 

Is ten minutes enough, or do you need to change plans?

Until iOS 26, iPhone charging was mostly guesswork. 

Battery percentages told you how full your phone was, not how long it would take to finish charging. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use iOS 26 to Estimate Your Charging Time.

iOS 26 now adds a charging time estimate that reflects real-world conditions.

How to See iPhone Charging Time

Feature Explanation

iOS 26 introduces an iPhone Charging Estimate that shows approximately how long it will take for your battery to reach full charge while plugged in.

iOS 26 evaluates the current charge level, charger type, power delivery speed, device temperature, and charging behavior. 

Based on those inputs, it calculates a live estimate that updates as conditions change.

Time is more useful than percentages. iOS 26 turns charging into something you can plan around instead of something you hope works out.

What You’ll Gain
  • Clear visibility into how long charging will take in iOS 26
  • Better decisions when using slow versus fast chargers
  • Less battery anxiety during busy workdays
  • Smarter charging habits without manual setup

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

iPhone
  1. Plug your iPhone into a charger.
  2. Unlock your iPhone and open Settings.
  3. Tap Battery.
  4. Look for the charging status message showing an estimated time remaining.
iPhone Charge Time Example

fig. 1 - iPhone Charge Time Example

Note: In iOS 26, the estimate may appear in Battery settings and/or on the Lock Screen depending on device model and charging conditions.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Time-based feedback instead of vague percentages.
  • Automatically adapts to charger speed and conditions.
  • No configuration required in iOS 26.
  • Encourages healthier charging habits.

Cons
  • Estimates may shift if temperature or charger changes.
  • Less helpful with very low-watt chargers.
  • Visibility may vary depending on Lock Screen layout.
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Feature Access
  • Requires iOS 26 or later,
  • Available on supported iPhone models,
  • Charging estimates depend on charger type and conditions,
  • Availability may vary during rollout and by region,

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9
iOS 26 turns charging time into actionable information.

Usability 8
Automatic and intuitive, though visibility can vary.

Wow Factor 6
Subtle, but quickly becomes indispensable.

Total: 23/30👍 Good
Less dramatic than battery health tools, but more useful day to day in iOS 26.

Key Takeaways

iOS 26 replaces battery guesswork with time-based clarity. 

Once you rely on charging estimates, percentage-only charging feels outdated.

Cool Tip Snapshot
  • Feature Name: iPhone Charging Estimate.
  • Platform(s): iOS 26.
  • Quick Benefit: See when your iPhone will finish charging.
  • Access Type: Free with iOS 26.

Try It Yourself

If you are running iOS 26, plug in your iPhone and check Battery settings to see your charging estimate. 

Share your experience in the comments, subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter, and pass this Cool Tip along to your team, family, and friends.



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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.



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