Preserve and Monitor Your MacBook’s Battery with These Important Tips
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How Long Are MacBook Batteries Good for?
All modern MacBook batteries are good for 1,000 charge cycles. What’s a charge cycle? Each time a battery depletes 100% in totality, that counts as one charge cycle.
MacBook batteries can hold up to 80% of their maximum capacity within 1,000 charge cycles. See how many charge cycles you’ve used by completing the following steps:
- Hold the Option key.
- Click the Apple () button in the menu bar.
- Click System Information. Let go of the Option key.
- In the Hardware section, click Power.
- The current cycle count is found in the Battery Information window, as well as additional battery health information.
How to Get Maximum Performance from Your MacBook’s Battery
- Only use the computer in temperatures above 50ºF and below 95º (10º to 35ºC).
- Shut down the computer if you won’t be using it for a long time.
- Keep up-to-date with macOS and third-party software.
- Lower your screen and keyboard’s brightness when possible.
- Set the Energy Saver options in System Preferences to suit your needs.
- Turn off Wi-Fi if you won’t need it for an extended period.
- Disconnect external devices, like hard drives, when they’re not needed.
How to Monitor Your MacBook’s Battery
If not already turned on by default, Apple has a built-in battery status feature that can be activated in System Preferences > Energy Saver > Click Show Battery Status in menu bar.
![Energy Saver Screen](/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/20191118_5dd26d1c3d02e.jpg)
You’ll then see a battery icon appear on the right-side of your menu bar. Clicking on that will give you a few options.
- The first option to use would be the “Show Percentage” option. Using this will show your current battery life.
- It’ll also show you if any applications are using a significant amount of your battery power. This is a great way to see exactly what is draining your battery in the background, especially if you have a lot of apps open. If Safari or Chrome is draining your battery significantly, consider closing any tabs with data-heavy websites that you’re not using.
Another great way to monitor your battery is an app called Battery Health 2. This app provides a deeper look into your battery. It shows your current charge level, overall battery health, how many charge cycles you’ve used, the time remaining on current charge and so much more.
![Battery Health 2](/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/20191118_5dd26d1ceb47b.jpg)
It even shows your battery’s status in the menu bar just like Apple’s battery status function. The app is free to download, but you can tap into more battery information for $9.99.