How to Check Your MacBook's Battery Health GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Computers, Laptops & Tablets > Apple

How to Check Your MacBook's Battery Health

Quickly see if the battery in your MacBook needs replacing

By Jennifer Allen Jennifer Allen Writer Swansea University, Staffordshire University Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 21, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple Macs iPad

What to Know

Quickest way: Hold Option key and click the battery icon on the status bar. You'll see Normal, Replace Soon, Replace Now, or Service Battery. More detailed info: Go to Apple menu and select About This Mac > System Report > Power. The battery status is under Condition. Before checking the battery's health, calibrate the battery to ensure you get the most accurate results and the best performance. This article explains how to check the status of your MacBook's battery health. A battery that's not in an optimum state means your laptop needs recharging more often, and you'll be reliant on a wired power source.

How to Check MacBook Battery Health at a Glance

It's possible to either check whether your MacBook's battery is healthy or to check more detailed information like its capacity levels. Here's how to check Mac battery health at a glance. It only takes a couple of clicks providing you know-how. While holding down the Option key on the keyboard, click the battery icon on your MacBook's status bar. Your battery health is displayed at the top of the information bar. It will either say Normal, Replace Soon, Replace Now, or Service Battery. The latter means you definitely need a new battery.

How to Check More Detailed MacBook Battery Information

If you want to check more about your MacBook's battery health, you can also find out more details via the System Report dialog. Here's how to find the key information. If you want to learn even more about your MacBook's battery and don't mind installing extra apps, you can use an app called Coconut Battery to find out this information in a clearer way. Click the Apple icon on the top left corner of the screen. Click About This Mac. Click System Report. Click Power to see detailed information about your battery. The information tells you the health under Condition. It also shows the cycle count which shows you how many times you've fully recharged the battery, along with the full charge capacity.

What Should I Know About Mac Battery Information

It can be confusing to know what cycle counts mean and what charging capacity entails. Here's a look at what you need to know. Cycle count explains how many times you've fully recharged. All modern Macs are rated for 1,000 cycles with much older models rated for 500 or 300 cycles. The battery doesn't suddenly fail when it reaches that limit but it does mean that it won't work as effectively so it's wise to replace it at this stage.Charging capacity is king. Basically, the charging capacity shows how much room there is on the battery for storing power. It tends to gradually go down a little the older the battery gets so it's useful to keep an eye on how it's performing. Battery health condition is a simple guide to what to do next. If it says Normal, you're good to go. If it says Replace Soon, then consider a visit to the Genius Bar to discuss a replacement soon. Replace Now or Service Battery means you definitely need to get your battery fixed if you want it to last as long as it used to. Before checking anything to do with the Mac's battery health, it's recommended that you calibrate your battery beforehand to ensure you get the most accurate results and the best performance. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Windows 10 Battery Report: What It Is And How to Use It How to Find a MacBook Model Number How to Check Your iPad's Battery Health How to Get Your Windows 11 Battery Report How to Check Battery Health on Android How to Turn Your MacBook on or Off How to Show Battery Percentage on an iPhone XR How to Fix 'No Battery Is Detected' on Your Laptop How to Turn Off Your AirPods How to Close Your Laptop and Use an External Monitor What to Do When Your Mac Won't Turn On How to Check if an iPhone Is Unlocked Calibrating Your MacBook, Air, or Pro Battery How to Fix an iPhone That Keeps Shutting Off How to Check Your VRAM Extend Your MacBook Pro's Battery Life With These Tips Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies