Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
65,619
34,216


A key indicator of your MacBook's battery health is its cycle count. Keep reading to learn what it means and how you can check it for yourself.

macbook-air-spacegray-purple-battery.jpg

Modern MacBooks can last 18 hours or more on a single battery charge, but like all rechargeable batteries, the one in your Mac has a finite lifespan. Over time, its capacity to hold a charge gradually diminishes, potentially leaving you tethered to a power outlet more often than you'd like. This is where understanding your Mac's battery cycle count can be important.

Checking your Mac's battery cycle count provides valuable insight into its overall health and remaining lifespan. A cycle count represents the number of times your battery has gone through a full charge cycle, which occurs when you use 100% of its capacity – whether in one sitting or spread across multiple partial charges. By monitoring this number, you can gauge how much life your battery has left and plan accordingly, whether that means adjusting your usage habits or preparing for a potential battery replacement down the line.

Checking Mac Battery Cycle Count

Here's how to check it your Mac's battery cycle count:
  1. Click the Apple symbol () in the menu bar while holding the Option key.
  2. Select System Information from the dropdown menu.
    system-information.jpg

    In the new window, click the Hardware list in the left sidebar if its contents aren't showing.
  3. Click Power in the expanded Hardware list.
    Look for Cycle Count under "Health Information" in the Battery Information section of the main window.
    cycle-count-mac.jpg
This number represents how many times your battery has been fully discharged and recharged.

Apple designs MacBook batteries to maintain up to 80% of their original capacity at their maximum cycle count, which varies by model. Recent MacBooks typically have a maximum cycle count of 1,000, while older models range from 300 to 500. You can find your specific model's maximum on Apple's support website.

Remember, reaching the maximum cycle count doesn't mean your battery stops working. It simply indicates when you might notice a decrease in battery life. In macOS Catalina 10.15.5 and later, Apple includes an Optimized Battery Charging feature, which can help extend your battery's lifespan.

Every new Mac bought from Apple comes with a one-year warranty that includes service coverage for a defective battery. If your Mac is out of warranty and the battery hasn't aged well, Apple offers battery service for a charge.

Article Link: Check Your Mac's Battery Cycle Count
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chrystal Ocean

Slix

macrumors 68000
Mar 24, 2010
1,586
2,356
It's worth noting that just because you have 1,000 cycles, it does not mean that the battery stops working, nor does it mean it'll get to 1,000 cycles with a decent battery still. Some batteries I've seen and used have completely died way before 1,000, and others have had 1,800 cycles and still not reported that the battery had lowered capacity. Each battery is different!
 

icanhazmac

Contributor
Apr 11, 2018
2,882
11,014
Screenshot 2024-10-11 at 9.35.34 AM.png


M1 Pro MBP 16", not doing too bad I guess. Probably has spend half its life in clamshell.
 

Itburnsitburns

macrumors newbie
Oct 11, 2024
2
9
Optimized battery charging has never learned my habits (I’m basically plugged in all the time) and keeps my MacBook Pro pegged at 100% charge. I finally installed Al Dente to limit charging to 80%, but I’m sure I’d have better battery health at this point if optimized charging had worked as advertised.
 

Adamhwi

macrumors member
Sep 9, 2021
44
142
I have a 2021 M1 Max 16 in. MBP with 178 charge cycles and 85% max capacity. With that said, on low power mode, it still goes quite a few hours on a charge when on battery, which is somewhat rare now days since working from home. Still, under $300 to replace the battery by Apple is very reasonable if and when I do need to do that. Much cheaper than getting a new MBP, considering the M1 Max is still a beast of a machine for my needs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ThailandToo

Apple Knowledge Navigator

macrumors 68040
Mar 28, 2010
3,675
12,835
Also worth pointing out that modern batteries typically ‘lose’ around 5-8% of their capacity very quickly, as far calculations go. This is completely normal after purchasing a new product and following this the capacity will drop at a more normal and steady rate.

For example, my M1 Pro MBP went down to 93% after only a few weeks, but after owning it from release date, the capacity is still an impressive 86%.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ThailandToo

CarpalMac

macrumors 68000
Nov 19, 2012
1,664
4,099
UK
Call me a cynic, but just because a device is stating xx% max capacity, I am not convinced that necessarily makes it so.

My M1 Air claims 92% but it's battery power life is way off what it was like when I first got it. It seemed to last forever, easily a days work. Now I am plugging it in by lunchtime. It had a clean install a few months ago (old Windows habits die hard) and is running much the same software when I first got it, obviously OS and app versions will have changed. My 15P states 100% capacity and yet that won't last me the day anymore, again running the same apps I ever have.
 
Last edited:

SuperCachetes

macrumors 65816
Nov 28, 2010
1,249
1,146
Away from you
Optimized battery charging has never learned my habits (I’m basically plugged in all the time) and keeps my MacBook Pro pegged at 100% charge. I finally installed Al Dente to limit charging to 80%, but I’m sure I’d have better battery health at this point if optimized charging had worked as advertised.
That's too bad. My M2 MBA is a year old (to me) and has been plugged in for 95% of its existence. Optimized charging usually keeps it at 80% charge level. Currently at a cycle count of 15 and battery capacity of 100%. Pretty sure that is how it's supposed to work...

I would recommend everyone the free app Coconut Battery, which shows more details about the capacity of the battery and cycle count. It can also read the values from iPhones, which seems to be a premium feature for iphone 14 or higher :)
Love Coconut Battery. The iOS battery features apply to older iPhones than that, though. It works on my 13PM and I am pretty sure it acknowledged my XS Max as well.
 

nikhsub1

macrumors 68030
Jun 19, 2007
2,647
2,700
mmmm... jessica.'s beer...
Optimized battery charging has never learned my habits (I’m basically plugged in all the time) and keeps my MacBook Pro pegged at 100% charge. I finally installed Al Dente to limit charging to 80%, but I’m sure I’d have better battery health at this point if optimized charging had worked as advertised.
Hmm, I've had my M1 Max MBP since the day it was available. It is basically my 'desktop' and never leaves my desk. So after about 3 years, my battery seems almost new?

Screenshot 2024-10-11 at 7.22.08 AM.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: SuperCachetes

Eric_WVGG

macrumors 6502
Oct 25, 2016
387
728
gentrification fallout zone
Coconut Battery is… 19 years old now! What a classic.

I'm on an M3 Max, closing in on one year old. 95 cycles, 100% capacity. Coconut says full charge 8606, design capacity 8579, so that's neat

Been using Al Dante all summer to cap at 80%, as I plan on having this for at least a couple more years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: winxmac

kagharaht

macrumors 68000
Oct 7, 2007
1,697
1,393
My MBA 2017 stuck in Monterey has 258 cycle count and an alert to Service the Battery. Which I'm not doing since it's not worth it for me. I use it maybe once or twice a week. It's now sitting in our guest room for basic internet Guest access when people visit.
 

jessejesse

macrumors member
Nov 4, 2017
43
44
My M1 MBP, is at 637 cycles and 77%, according to Coconut... seems consistent with what I experience now, day to day.
 

JamesMcFlyJR

macrumors 6502
May 12, 2016
336
609
The app Al Dente has been amazing for my 2021 M1 Pro 14in MBP.

Since i’m plugged in 95% of the time, i’ve set the battery to stay at 50% (+- 2%), and i’m at 47 cycles and 100% battery health.

I do a battery calibration every 2 months (discharge to 15%, charge up to 100%, stay at 100% for an hour, and discharge back to my 50% limit) to keep the battery healthy and active

It’s a must have app for me
 

needsomecoffee

macrumors 6502a
May 6, 2008
518
1,196
Seattle
Very interesting and compelling way to increase cycle counts. Hope Apple takes the lead investigting this. Possible free (mfg cost) 50% increase in cycle count. Might reduce future sales and repair revs... so shareholders (e.g. Warren) may disagree re: saving Mother Earth this way, & pass their thoughts on to Tim:

 
  • Like
Reactions: poorcody

Woodstockie

macrumors regular
Aug 12, 2015
170
105
NY
MPB M2. Still at 100% with 101 cycles. Do nothing special. Work both plugged and unplugged. Charging through USB-C which also connects my external monitor.
 

davidg4781

macrumors 68030
Oct 28, 2006
2,878
423
Alice, TX
I do a battery calibration every 2 months (discharge to 15%, charge up to 100%, stay at 100% for an hour, and discharge back to my 50% limit) to keep the battery healthy and active
I thought newer Macs didn't need to do a calibration. Or is this just something you do on your own?

Anyway, here are my stats...

M1 13" MBP
91 Cycles
92% Max Capacity.

It's almost always plugged in. It used to stay around 80% but I've noticed recently it stays 100% charged.
 

Le0M

macrumors 6502a
Aug 13, 2020
930
1,278
I have a 2021 M1 Max 16 in. MBP with 178 charge cycles and 85% max capacity. With that said, on low power mode, it still goes quite a few hours on a charge when on battery, which is somewhat rare now days since working from home. Still, under $300 to replace the battery by Apple is very reasonable if and when I do need to do that. Much cheaper than getting a new MBP, considering the M1 Max is still a beast of a machine for my needs.
No one should have to replace the computer because of the battery.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.