Upon commissioning into the High Seas Fleet, "Baden" was made the fleet flagship, replacing . "Baden" saw little action during her short career; the only major sortie in April 1918 ended without any combat. Following the German collapse in November 1918, "Baden" was interned with the majority of the High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow by the British Royal Navy. On 21 June 1919, Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter ordered the scuttling of the fleet. However, British sailors in the harbor managed to board "Baden" and beach her to prevent her sinking. The ship was refloated, thoroughly examined, and eventually sunk in extensive gunnery testing by the Royal Navy in 1921.