Understanding Your MacBook’s Battery Health
Your MacBook’s battery is a crucial component, and knowing how to check its health can help you avoid being tethered to a power cord all the time. Even the best MacBooks will eventually need a battery replacement after a certain number of charge cycles. This guide will walk you through the process of checking your MacBook’s battery health, so you can decide when it might be time to consider a replacement.
Tools and Requirements:
- Any MacBook Air or MacBook Pro
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Check Your Battery Health in macOS Monterey 12, macOS Ventura 13, and macOS Sonoma 14
- Click on the Apple menu icon (top-left).
- Select System Settings.
- Click on the Battery icon in the left-hand menu.
- Your battery health will be displayed as either ‘Normal’ or ‘Service recommended’. If it says ‘Service recommended’, your battery may not be holding as much charge and might need replacing.
For macOS Big Sur 11 and older versions:
- Go to System Preferences > Battery.
- Click Battery > Battery Health.
2. Understand the Cycle Count
- A charge cycle is completed when you use 100% of your battery’s capacity. For example, if you use 50% of your battery twice, it counts as one full charge cycle.
- As your MacBook goes through charge cycles, its full charge capacity will gradually decrease.
3. Find Your Battery Cycle Count and Health
- Hold down the Option key while clicking on the Apple menu at the top left.
- Choose System Information.
- Under the Hardware section, select Power.
- The current cycle count and battery condition will be listed under the Battery Information section.
If the battery condition is anything other than ‘Normal,’ contact Apple Support for further assistance. You can also find out the maximum cycle count for your specific MacBook model, which usually ranges from 300 to 1,000 cycles, depending on the model. Once your MacBook reaches its maximum cycle count, it should still retain about 80% of its original charge capacity.
