Check MacBook battery status
The battery in a MacBook will last for years, but at some point it will become less effective at holding a charge. It then takes more and more effort to charge to 100% and the battery percentage drops quickly after disconnecting. You can easily check the condition of your Mac battery by requesting the battery status. In this tip we explain how this works and what the different statuses mean. The MacBook constantly monitors the battery status.
MacBook battery: check health
Although you do not have to constantly check this status, it is advisable to do so every now and then. In addition, it can also be a help if you suspect that something is wrong with the battery of your MacBook. You have to look up this battery status and it can have different meanings.
- Request status
- Meaning of statuses
Request battery status of MacBook
Querying the MacBook battery status is easy, but you just have to know where to look. That is how it works:
- Open System Settings and go to the Battery menu.
- Under Battery Condition you will find the status in words (if all goes well, this will say Normal)
- Click on the i symbol to see the condition of your battery expressed as a percentage.
The maximum capacity of your battery is 100% when new. The longer you use it and charge it more often, the percentage will decrease slightly. Anything above 80% is considered normal. Most MacBooks are designed in such a way that you can use up to 1000 charging cycles (i.e. charging from 0% to 100%, which is also allowed in parts) and the capacity does not fall below 80%. If the capacity is lower because you have more than 1000 charging cycles, it is recommended to replace the battery.
You can also check how often your MacBook battery has been charged. Read the steps in our tip.
Meaning of battery status
Your MacBook can show two different battery status indications: Normal and Repair Recommended. According to Apple, these designations mean the following:
- Normal: The battery is working properly.
- Repair recommended: The battery works properly, but cannot be charged as far as a new battery. Consider replacing the battery.
Apple has developed software features to ensure that your battery can last longer over its total lifespan. In our separate tip about the battery management function on the Mac you can read what this means and how to set it up.
Are you ready to have your MacBook battery replaced? Then you can contact Apple or certified repair companies. You can read what replacing the MacBook battery costs in our separate article on this subject.
