Apple Battery Management - When does it activate?

[seadragon]

Hi all,

I have a 2021 16" MBP and am still trying to figure out how Apple's battery management feature works. I've had my machine docked to a CalDigit TS3+ for about 4 days straight now and it's still holding the battery charge at 100%. At what point does the algorithm determine it should hold at 80%?

I have seen it sporadically in the past drop the battery level to 80% while plugged in. But I'm puzzled as to why it isn't doing it now that it has been docked for 4 days.

Just trying to understand how this works.

Thanks!

 

[BigMcGuire]

This is based on other posts that I've seen - it needs a week or so of observation before kicking in, and sometimes it turns off when it wants to and on when it wants to. That's why some of us use an app like AlDente - so we can set the % when we want how we want. I write all this and saw my wife's MBP utilizing 80% after a few days of being plugged in, then for months staying at 100%. lol. <shrug>.

 

[seadragon]

So my MBP has been plugged in for almost 2 weeks straight now and the battery is still being held at 100%.

 

[Momof9]

mine is also getting close to the 2 week mark as well at 100%

 

[BigMcGuire]

Yeah that’s why most of us get AlDente.

Of all my apple devices my AirPods are the only things that do the optimized charging right. Lol.

 

[Fishrrman]

I haven't tried using Apple's battery management feature on my 2021 MBP 14", but from the posts above (not a large sample, I realize), it sounds as if it just doesn't work...

 

[VineRider]

It works. Takes about 2 weeks with a fairly consistent charging pattern. At least this has been my experience.

 

[Weaselboy]

It works. Takes about 2 weeks with a fairly consistent charging pattern. At least this has been my experience.

Yep... takes a couple weeks or so on the charger.

Here is my 14" MBP.

 

[donawalt]

Mine virtually never worked - the once or twice it did seem to work and let the battery drop below 100%, as soon as I unplugged it to use, when I plugged it back in it went right to 100% and stayed there. Count me as part of the Aldente club now too, works great.

 

[seadragon]

Thanks for the replies. I’ll look into Aldente. I saw some info regarding Aldente where you must run a calibration process once a month or so.

Feature Explanation: Calibration Mode

General explanation Your notebook’s battery has a hard job. It has to supply the whole system with precious energy while you are on the go and sit still and retain all that power juice when you are plugged in at your desk. Even more, it also must help out the power supply when your system […]

apphousekitchen.com

 

[Honza1]

Mine virtually never worked - the once or twice it did seem to work and let the battery drop below 100%, as soon as I unplugged it to use, when I plugged it back in it went right to 100% and stayed there. Count me as part of the Aldente club now too, works great.

I think that is proof that it works. Logic is, that if you use computer on batteries (like at all, even for few minutes), you need 100% battery full. 80% is for use case that you use (always and ONLY!) computer on charger. Once you trigger battery use, you reset the system to standard use case and it assumes you need battery at 100%.
Use AlDente and decide yourself. Automated systems are bit of simple minded.

 

[Fatus_Asticus]

Aldente works great. You have total control over the battery charging. The only issue is if the unit is off and plugged in Aldente can't stop the charging process. Otherwise it is a great app, easy to use and easy to control if you want to top up to 100% or not. Not secret apple algo that either fails to work or resets when you go on battery for a few minutes.

 

[StoneJack]

I never get the point of buying a notebook and then using it 100% on power adaptor. I get using it with an external display but why would always keep it on power? It is not a Windows notebook, which cuts power and consumption on battery, Apple M chips do not have such drastic reduction in power when on battery. So for sake of battery, one should use it as much as possible, imho, and not be charging all the time.

 

[donawalt]

I think that is proof that it works. Logic is, that if you use computer on batteries (like at all, even for few minutes), you need 100% battery full. 80% is for use case that you use (always and ONLY!) computer on charger. Once you trigger battery use, you reset the system to standard use case and it assumes you need battery at 100%.
Use AlDente and decide yourself. Automated systems are bit of simple minded.

Yes but it never went down off of 100% just from using it off battery once. That's not so good - as you say, a little simple minded.

 

[donawalt]

I never get the point of buying a notebook and then using it 100% on power adaptor. I get using it with an external display but why would always keep it on power? It is a Windows notebook, which cuts power and consumption on battery, Apple M chips do not have such drastic reduction in power when on battery. So for sake of battery, one should use it as much as possible, imho, and not be charging all the time.

In my case, I prefer notebooks because:
1) Smaller footprint in my office/desk area;
2) These days it's plenty powerful enough (M1 Max Pro; I used to have desktops for years as laptops wouldn't cut it)
3) I do use the battery, but it's more for work trips where it's on battery a lot of the day for days, then back home;
4) I can take my "digital footprint" with me whether I am home/away

 

[StoneJack]

In my case, I prefer notebooks because:
1) Smaller footprint in my office/desk area;
2) These days it's plenty powerful enough (M1 Max Pro; I used to have desktops for years as laptops wouldn't cut it)
3) I do use the battery, but it's more for work trips where it's on battery a lot of the day for days, then back home;
4) I can take my "digital footprint" with me whether I am home/away

I am not against notebooks at office per se myself owner of two MacBooks, i am talking about usage pattern on power adaptor for 100% of time