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zarathu

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 14, 2003
652
362
I’m talking about extending the long term life before replacement, not the daily use life of battery power.

Other sources suggest limiting the number of full charge cycles. A full charge cycle is 0-100%. So if you can do FOUR 75% TO 100%, rather than four 20% to 100%, you battery will last longer between replacements.

Its also suggested that if its always on the charge, you should take it off and do one deep discharge to maybe 15% once a month, to keep the ions moving around.

I can’t find any suggestions by Apple. I suspect they would rather sell you a new battery.
 

zarathu

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 14, 2003
652
362
the software will control the charging and battery optimization. just use your laptop as intended and don't overthink it. if anything, get apple care.
Only if you use the battery. If you leave it on the charger 24/7, the mac does nothing. My software does nothing like that. I plug it in, it charges to 100%, every time and holds it there. There is no optimization.
Get Applecare + is not an answer. Allstate costs less, and does more including theft. I’ll think about it if I want to. Thats the purpose of the question.

So the answer to the question is....drum roll....NO.
 

soulreaver99

macrumors 68040
Aug 15, 2010
3,709
6,417
Southern California
Only if you use the battery. If you leave it on the charger 24/7, the mac does nothing. My software does nothing like that. I plug it in, it charges to 100%, every time and holds it there. There is no optimization.

So the answer to the question is....drum roll....NO.
Drum roll...

1636320743785.png


Charge the MacBook Pro battery - Apple Support

Thanks for the unnecessary sarcasm.
 

adamk77

Suspended
Jan 6, 2008
566
211
I’m talking about extending the long term life before replacement, not the daily use life of battery power.

Other sources suggest limiting the number of full charge cycles. A full charge cycle is 0-100%. So if you can do FOUR 75% TO 100%, rather than four 20% to 100%, you battery will last longer between replacements.

Its also suggested that if its always on the charge, you should take it off and do one deep discharge to maybe 15% once a month, to keep the ions moving around.

I can’t find any suggestions by Apple. I suspect they would rather sell you a new battery.

I don't think this is Apple specific. For Lithium Ion batteries, the recommendations I've read is to not let it discharge completely and not let it charge above 80%, because both are stressors to the battery (i.e. more heat) and may shorten its lifespan.

There is a sweet range for the batteries. I've seen 30% - 80%, and I use that personally. Meaning, don't let it fall below 30% and don't let it go above 80%.

With that said, the Macs will try to learn your usage habit and will try its best not to overcharge the battery. The best recommendation I've seen is to just use your laptop normally and don't try to game it. So I don't worry about not letting it charge above 80%, but I do try my best to plug it in when it reaches below 30%.
 
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adamk77

Suspended
Jan 6, 2008
566
211
Only if you use the battery. If you leave it on the charger 24/7, the mac does nothing. My software does nothing like that. I plug it in, it charges to 100%, every time and holds it there. There is no optimization.
I forgot to mention something. If you want more direct control and not rely on the Mac learning your usage pattern ("Optimize battery charging" under Settings -> Battery), there is software to control this. Do note that the free version doesn't limit the charge when the computer is in sleep mode. For that it looks like you need to pay for the Pro version (check the FAQ).

 
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allnight

macrumors member
Sep 27, 2021
30
18
I don't think this is Apple specific. For Lithium Ion batteries, the recommendations I've read is to not let it discharge completely and not let it charge above 80%, because both are stressors to the battery (i.e. more heat) and may shorten its lifespan.

There is a sweet range for the batteries. I've seen 30% - 80%, and I use that personally. Meaning, don't let it fall below 30% and don't let it go above 80%.

With that said, the Macs will try to learn your usage habit and will try its best not to overcharge the battery. The best recommendation I've seen is to just use your laptop normally and don't try to game it. So I don't worry about not letting it charge above 80%, but I do try my best to plug it in when it reaches below 30%.
I agree with this, especially not letting it drop lower than 20/30. I feel like draining the battery fully strains it much more than charging it to 100, if anything dont let it drop below 20 and you'll be fine in most cases. Letting it charge above 80 I think is a bit bad, but honestly I really like having as close to a full battery so I can't help myself with that.
 

synergize

macrumors 6502
Jul 12, 2010
383
687
There is a setting for battery longevity in the system preferences, it works just like the one on the iPhone.
 

Natzoo

macrumors 68020
Sep 16, 2014
2,016
646
There is a setting for battery longevity in the system preferences, it works just like the one on the iPhone.
In the two months, I have owned the 13PM, it has never stopped charging at 80% and my routine is the same. And I also have an alarm in the bedtime set, so it definitely knows my routine. It just goes straight to 100% everytime.
 
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synergize

macrumors 6502
Jul 12, 2010
383
687
In the two months, I have owned the 13PM, it has never stopped charging at 80% and my routine is the same. And I also have an alarm in the bedtime set, so it definitely knows my routine. It just goes straight to 100% everytime.
Mine did the same thing, it can take a couple of weeks for it to stabilize and do the 80 to 100% charge at the end. Mine has told me in a message a few times that 80 to 100% was just completed; I don't get the message anymore.
 

Xenomorph

macrumors 65816
Aug 6, 2008
1,400
842
St. Louis
One of my 2013 MacBook Pro models (the one I use the most) is sitting at ~81% battery capacity after 8+ years.

The only issue I've had is that it will power off if the system is cold (and we're heading into winter again).

The usable life of the system is almost over (I ordered its 2021 replacement through work) before the battery is.

The battery usually lasted me most of the day at work. I plug in when low, and unplug if I notice it being at 100% too long.
 
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