My Macbook today hit me with the service recommended on battery life, which i have noticed is lower lately, im on 267 cycles and the battery does not last long at all. I'm assuming this isnt normal? Wanted to see what others think on here. Im under AC+ so I'll probably see what options i have there but i fear with covid i might be without a computer for a bit...
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Battery service recommended on 2018 MBP 15"
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did you restart your Mac? Mine said service but after restart it said normal - go figure
This is atypical but it can happen. My own recommendation based on seeing this in laptops owned by others and myself is that batteries in their notebooks usually last between 3 and 4 years. After that, I usually see signs of swelling. Some are not very pronounced.
Battery service comes on if it indicates < 80% charge capacity based on factory specs. It doesn't mean it'll always be 100%, even on a replacement battery. It's just that if it's below 80%, the recommendation comes on.
If you're running a beta version of OSX for any reason, roll back to Catalina. Beta software sometimes messes with power management, although I'm not aware of any currently known bugs.
Battery service comes on if it indicates < 80% charge capacity based on factory specs. It doesn't mean it'll always be 100%, even on a replacement battery. It's just that if it's below 80%, the recommendation comes on.
If you're running a beta version of OSX for any reason, roll back to Catalina. Beta software sometimes messes with power management, although I'm not aware of any currently known bugs.
You have AppleCare+, so what are you worrying about?
Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store nearby?
Then make an appt and take it to the genius bar -- they'll handle it.
If you DO NOT have a Apple Store nearby, CALL APPLE.
They'll send you a prepaid shipping box to return it to them.
You'll get it back in a few days, and I predict you'll be VERY happy with what comes back.
Just do what you have to do... and get it done.
Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store nearby?
Then make an appt and take it to the genius bar -- they'll handle it.
If you DO NOT have a Apple Store nearby, CALL APPLE.
They'll send you a prepaid shipping box to return it to them.
You'll get it back in a few days, and I predict you'll be VERY happy with what comes back.
Just do what you have to do... and get it done.
There is a reasonable chance that the battery is swelling and so I would suggest servicing ASAP. Sending to Apple is generally quick and turnaround from when you ship to them and when you get the system back can be as little as 72 hours, as they use overnight each way and battery service is usually fast.
I was advised by apple to run diagnostics, which i did. No problems found and recommendation disappeared on restart. very weird.
I double checked to see if there was any swelling, not even a little bit. and im on the main branch so 10.15.7, no betas.
That doesnt sound normal, might be the beta...
Not worrying at all, i know very well that its an easy and most likely free fix with AC+. More concerned about having to be without a computer (which i rely on to work from home) for a couple days (maybe longer cause of covid).
Made sure theres no swelling, but i'm going to keep an eye on it, the warning has gone for now, but i have apple care for another year and a half or so, so will most likely get it replaced once offices open up and i dont rely on my laptop as much...
Thank you all for your insight and recommendations, really appreciate it.
That's good. If you're running normal software, I would take it in at that point before the warranty is up. You could check with Applecare as to whether there are any milestones on battery replacement. I think they'll just replace it if it's under warranty though.
Same here, on a 2018 MacBook Pro 15. Sudden 'Service Recommended' battery status with around 430 cycles. After a restart the service alert disappeared. Two weeks later the alert came back again so I booked an appointment and took the MBP into the local Apple store. The laptop 'died' while booting up after the diagnosis run. Luckily only had to pay for the battery replacement but all internals were replaced. I'd recommend servicing ASAP.
I'd recommend to replace the battery too.
I've had the exactly same problem and after some months my laptop wobbled on the table.
Apple Authorised Reseller changed internals for free: keyboard and battery. My spacebar was sticky.
Also I'd recommend to look at all threads here on macrumors, for me it seems that after just 2 years there are a lot of cases with the faulty battery.
I've had the exactly same problem and after some months my laptop wobbled on the table.
Apple Authorised Reseller changed internals for free: keyboard and battery. My spacebar was sticky.
Also I'd recommend to look at all threads here on macrumors, for me it seems that after just 2 years there are a lot of cases with the faulty battery.
The service recommended came up again, so i booked in for an appointment next monday, ordered a 1tb ssd as well to do a second time machine backup just in case. thanks for all the advice everyone, hopefully it comes back in one piece and quickly.
were you under apple care or did you pay because it was out of warranty. and would it be a strech to ask them to replace the keyboard of mine while theyre at it, some keys do get sticky often...
I have MacBook Pro 13 2017 last time the battery around 250 cycles and the battery service status came out. Bettery health 65 % and battery last about 3 hours.
After I reinstall High Sierra the battery status is good, bettery health became 80 % and it last for 5 hours.
You could try reinstall Mac OS first.
After I reinstall High Sierra the battery status is good, bettery health became 80 % and it last for 5 hours.
You could try reinstall Mac OS first.
Happy to report, i took my laptop in yesterday and had the battery, trackpad, keyboard and touchbar replaced within a day and i have it back in my possession!
That’s good to hear, my 2018 15” is at 90% (coconut battery) and I had my keyboard replaced last December, 10 months =10% for me.
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i didnt know it was possible to renew AC+ for macs, thought that was an iphone and watch thing only? any links to apple that show this is possible?
I was just assuming it was possible, I have not looked it up yet. That would be a real bummer if you cannot renew it but then again I don't want to pay like $15 a month for applecare+. Next time I will just buy from Costco which comes with 4 year limited warranty with their card.
AC+ on my iMac ran out in September and I contacted apple to renew/extend it and they said can't do it with Mac, assume same applies for MacBooks ...
I have a 2017 MacBook Pro 15" with only 145 cycles on the battery and I'm getting the service battery alert. No longer have AppleCare and not really looking forward to spending $200 on a replacement battery. Not to mention, I can't afford to lose my computer for any period of time. Seems like 145 cycles is pretty low to have a battery issue.
You could check first the bettery health using battery health 2.
Battery Health 2: Stats & Info
Battery Health 2 provides detailed stats and health information for your MacBook's battery! Used by millions of Mac users worldwide, it is considered by many as one of the essential free utility apps for your Mac. With Battery Health 2, you can easily see all the important information about...
apps.apple.com
Eric wrote:
"I have a 2017 MacBook Pro 15" with only 145 cycles on the battery and I'm getting the service battery alert. No longer have AppleCare and not really looking forward to spending $200 on a replacement battery. Not to mention, I can't afford to lose my computer for any period of time."
Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store reasonably close?
They MIGHT be able to do the job in a few hours.
Or... overnight.
The only way you're going to know is to ask.
Having said that...
Apple's $199 price for a new battery (including parts and labor) is A BARGAIN, considering what you get in return:
- a new Apple-labeled battery
- installation included
- a short warranty to back it up.
You might be able to do it yourself for less, but you'd probably have to buy a 3rd-party (NOT "Apple") battery AND take the risks involved in removing the old battery and installing the new one. And no "warranty".
You can either continue to let it run down, or... get it replaced.
The choice is yours.
"I have a 2017 MacBook Pro 15" with only 145 cycles on the battery and I'm getting the service battery alert. No longer have AppleCare and not really looking forward to spending $200 on a replacement battery. Not to mention, I can't afford to lose my computer for any period of time."
Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store reasonably close?
They MIGHT be able to do the job in a few hours.
Or... overnight.
The only way you're going to know is to ask.
Having said that...
Apple's $199 price for a new battery (including parts and labor) is A BARGAIN, considering what you get in return:
- a new Apple-labeled battery
- installation included
- a short warranty to back it up.
You might be able to do it yourself for less, but you'd probably have to buy a 3rd-party (NOT "Apple") battery AND take the risks involved in removing the old battery and installing the new one. And no "warranty".
You can either continue to let it run down, or... get it replaced.
The choice is yours.
I don't have an Apple Store near me unfortunately. Closest is about two hours away. I do have a Best Buy nearby, but I'm pretty sure they send them out from there to Apple to repair.
Yeah, I realize the $200 isn't terrible. The problem is losing the computer for a week or so, as well as the fact that I'm really looking to purchase an M1 MacBook Air early next year that will replace my MBP and basically make my MBP a desktop machine. So the battery replacement will be less necessary then.
I'll probably just get it repaired though. Freaking Apple Care didn't expire that long ago. Figures it would screw up after expiration.
Yeah, I realize the $200 isn't terrible. The problem is losing the computer for a week or so, as well as the fact that I'm really looking to purchase an M1 MacBook Air early next year that will replace my MBP and basically make my MBP a desktop machine. So the battery replacement will be less necessary then.
I'll probably just get it repaired though. Freaking Apple Care didn't expire that long ago. Figures it would screw up after expiration.
Bad luck for my MacBook 2017 with touch bar! After 116 cycles of my almost 3-yo MacBook Pro (4 Thunderbolt Ports) I've got a battery fault officially diagnosed in Apple Service ("Service Recommended" alert). What they've said? That I SHOULD'VE USED BATTERY MORE OFTEN... Complying with official Apple recommendations I've used it from time to time (once per 10 days), but it turned out to be not enough. Apple should definitely change their official recommendations regarding battery care, because right not I'm feeling completely misleaded by this company. Cost of replacement is $320 – BEWARE and USE YOUR BATTERY MORE OFTEN!
You're being quoted the wrong price. A 13" or 15" MacBook Pro with a retina display is $199 to replace the battery:
Mac Repair and Service - Apple Support
Need to repair your Mac? See your service options, their costs by coverage type, and how long they take.