How to check Windows Mixed Reality motion controller battery level

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The motion controllers for Windows Mixed Reality headsets run on AA batteries. But how do you know how much power is left? We have the answer.

The fact that you don't have to recharge the motion controllers with your Mixed Reality headset is a blessing, assuming you have a stash of AA batteries at hand. Hot swapping means you don't have to come back to reality and wait for batteries to recharge before you continue your virtual experience.

But the controllers don't have battery level indicators on them, and there's no obvious sign of power levels when you're inside Mixed Reality either ... or is there? In fact, there is. You just have to know where to look.

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Finding your Windows Mixed reality controllers' battery level

To check, you need to be inside the Windows Mixed Reality experience with your motion controllers powered on. To check how much battery you have left in each one, all you need to do is turn each controller over so the back is facing you. You'll now see a handy (but hidden from plain sight) battery meter that shows you how much power is remaining.

This isn't exclusive to one manufacturer's controller, either. Currently, they're all the same reference design by Microsoft and this is built into the Mixed Reality software. In the future the implementation could change, but right now it's all the same.

Despite the fact that it's not immediately obvious, it's actually a nice feature. It's always there, but it doesn't interfere with the immersive experience by being a persistent presence on the display. Well done, Microsoft.

More: Everything you can do in Windows Mixed Reality right now

Richard Devine
Richard Devine
Managing Editor

Richard Devine is the Managing Editor at Windows Central, where he combines a deep love for the open-source community with expert-level technical coverage. Whether he’s hunting for the next big project on GitHub, fine-tuning a WSL workflow, or breaking down the latest meta in Call of Duty, Forza, and The Division 2, Richard focuses on making complex tech accessible to every kind of user. If it’s happening in the world of Windows or PC gaming, he’s probably already knee-deep in the code (or the lobbies). Follow him on X and Mastodon.