How long for optimised battery charging to start working?

[BigDO]

I've had my MBA M2 for about 1.5 months now. It spends most of the time on my desk, plugged into a USB C dock, meaning that it is running off power adapter 99% of the time. On the odd occasion that I use it on the couch or outside, it will charge to full as soon as connected to the dock again.

When can I expect that the optimised battery charging will start working, which will allow it to discharge to 80% and stay there while plugged in? Or do I misunderstand how OBC works and this is not what I should expect (and should use a tool such as Al Dente instead)?

 

[Bigwaff]

My M4 Max MBP started to pause charging at 80% after about a week connected to my Studio Display via USB-C Thunderbolt. Are you charging via USB-C or MagSafe?

 

[Mike Boreham]

My M4 Max MBP started to pause charging at 80% after about a week connected to my Studio Display via USB-C Thunderbolt. Are you charging via USB-C or MagSafe?

My M1MBA took a bit longer, between 3 and 4 weeks as in this thread. This was in clamshell mode, connected to a USB-C external monitor which supplied the power.

 

[BigDO]

My M4 Max MBP started to pause charging at 80% after about a week connected to my Studio Display via USB-C Thunderbolt. Are you charging via USB-C or MagSafe?

It's a mix between the two. I juggle the USB C dock between my Thinkpad and MBA, but if I am not on USB C I plug in Magsafe.

Sometimes, both are connected.

 

[throAU]

for me it was about a week but it depends how you use it.

I'm on my second M series macbook at this point and my suggestion is thus:

don't fuss over it. use it as needed, let macOS manage it and forget about it. the built in management works fine.

 

[throAU]

Oh also to be clear:

My first m series mac is still in the household with my gf. Is still fine on battery (m1 pro).

If you are truly wanting to do the best by your battery i'd suggest keeping it cool and limiting the "hard work" you do while on battery.

What truly kills batteries faster is (and this isn't unique to apple)

• fast charge/discharge particularly when full or empty
• HEAT

Heavy workload on battery incurs both.

i.e., no gaming on battery, rendering on battery etc. try to keep that to plugged in time.

And try to keep your mac cooler in general. If the fans are screaming (Pros) or it is feeling hot and you don't need the thing to run absolutely as fast as possible, consider low power mode to generate less heat. You'll drop maybe 10-15% performance but way less heat.

 

[Boppi]

About a week here too with both a MBP M4 (returned) and now an M4 Pro, using MagSafe on both and both connected via HDMI.

 

[Weaselboy]

Mine usually takes a couple weeks of constantly being on the charger for it to kick in.

 

[BanFoy]

M2 MBA bought new in early 2023 here, almost always on charger (MagSafe) and it always seems to be at 100%. Rarely do I see the optimized charging feature kick in. I think I read on here at some point that it won't drop down or hold charge to 80% when on charger if there are events in your calendar. It thinks you are going mobile and need the full charge. I have lots of reminders set in my calendar and have been meaning to take a closer look at that but have not as of yet.

My Battery Health shows a Max Capacity of 88% which it has indicated for quite some time. I think I remember the busy day when my Mac got noticeably hot to the touch and my Max Cap dropped down to that 88%.

 

[JPack]

This method works every single time for me, for all my MBA from M1, M2, to M4.

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookpro/comments/yjjggs/optimised_battery_charging_so_i_called_apple

 

[throAU]

eh

who shuts down their mac?

 

[Timpetus]

It sounds to me like you should just be using AlDente. It's simple, free, and works great. I have my MBPs set to charge no higher than 80% because I've already ruined one battery using an older MBP plugged in too often.

 

[JPack]

It sounds to me like you should just be using AlDente. It's simple, free, and works great. I have my MBPs set to charge no higher than 80% because I've already ruined one battery using an older MBP plugged in too often.

There's no free automatic calibration - macOS discharges regularly to maintain health.

 

[throAU]

It sounds to me like you should just be using AlDente. It's simple, free, and works great. I have my MBPs set to charge no higher than 80% because I've already ruined one battery using an older MBP plugged in too often.

I've compared my battery life to others in threads about al-dente.

mine was better without it.

Al-dente may have been relevant 15-20 years ago, but now it is a complete waste of money.

 

[UPBaylor]

I've had Al Dente (free version) running on mine since purchase 2 years ago and I use my MBA daily for many hours, mostly not on a charger but that varies a little. FWIW, I just checked my battery capacity and it still reads 100%. I'm not claiming Al Dente is the reason, just passing along my experience. For all I know, I could have the same results if I had never installed Al Dente.

 

[BanFoy]

I'm wondering if something is off with your Max cap calibration or something. 2 years of daily multi hour usage and no degradation? Sound like something is off to me. For your sake I hope I'm wrong!