Thought I’d turn a perennial question on its head. I’m doing so because I don’t trust what I think I understand. Would it be ok, for example, to leave the MacBook plugged in Monday to Friday and then use untethered at the weekend?
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How often should I unplug my MacBook and discharge?
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I will plug in when in use. Unplugged and sleep it when not in use. Let the charge dribble in sleep mode slowly.
I don't think anyone knows for sure... Doing what you suggest is better than plugging it in 24/7. But not as good as unplugging every day after you're done using it. How much each is on the spectrum of battery health, no one can really say.
All I can say is that if it were me, and it's not a big inconvenience in your daily routine / workflow, I would do as @Beyonder88 suggested: unplug at the end of the day when you're done with it (eg. put to sleep, unplug), and then plug in again the next morning when you start working on it again.
If you can use untethered over the weekend on top of that, all the better. That's basically what I do with my new 14" MBP - even if in reality it has no benefit at all to battery health, it's easy enough for me to do in my daily workflow, such that I'm willing to do it even for the chance it will be better for my battery.
All I can say is that if it were me, and it's not a big inconvenience in your daily routine / workflow, I would do as @Beyonder88 suggested: unplug at the end of the day when you're done with it (eg. put to sleep, unplug), and then plug in again the next morning when you start working on it again.
If you can use untethered over the weekend on top of that, all the better. That's basically what I do with my new 14" MBP - even if in reality it has no benefit at all to battery health, it's easy enough for me to do in my daily workflow, such that I'm willing to do it even for the chance it will be better for my battery.
This is the source of my uncertainty. I unplug at the end of the day, having put the MacBook to sleep. The MacBook then discharges a tiny little. I plug it back in, the following morning. Then, presumably, the MacBook charged a tiny little bit back to 100%. Is that not unhealthy?
In my view, that tiny amount of discharge/recharge is not unhealthy. And if it is, I would think it's much less harmful than leaving it plugged in straight through the night.
If it's this thought of the tiny discharge while laptop's sleeping overnight / re-charge after plugging back in, that's what's making you consider going with your original plan, I wouldn't.
Leaving it plugged in 24/7/365 is like leaving the cap off a soda bottle: it will go flat. Not exercising the battery is not good. At the same time, draining the battery to 0% each time is not good for it either. Use it as you would your iPhone. At night, when you're sleeping, it's plugged in, charging to 100%. Apple optimizes battery charging now, which is gentler on the battery. There will be occasions where you'll want to be plugged in because you're working on a computationally intense project that you know consumes a lot of battery, and you need to keep working. But otherwise the purpose of the MacBook is to be portable. So why not enjoy the portability? Otherwise you're better with a desktop.
I agree with this. I feel the same way. I basically do something similar to try and keep my 14" M1 Pro's battery strong for as long as possible (and before that for last 5 years, a 2016 13" MBP Touch Bar). I'm not going to go over-the-top crazy, but to me, it's a small thing to unplug it while I'm not using it. And then every now and then (and on weekends), using it portable "like a laptop".
I use my MBP in closed clamshell into an external 27" 4k monitor during the workdays, working from home.
I'm hopeful that the new 2021 14"/16" MBPs have hardier batteries than the 2016 - 2020 generation, which I feel had weaker / different chemistry than the previous 2012-2015 generation, in that it would degrade quickly / prematurely when plugged in 24/7. It remains to be seen what these new ones will be like in that respect, but in the meantime, I don't mind doing a little extra / being a little extra cautious to maximize my battery.
I understand there are some who feel it isn't worth the energy, and these machines are good enough that you can use them however best suits your life / needs. But to me, it's not that big a deal. Even if it ends up benefitting zero, I'd be ok with having done it.
But to each their own. I totally don't think negatively about any one who chooses not to do it like my way. Really comes down to personal choice on preferences.
I've only had this new 14" for a month now, but it also helps that the battery life is so good, it's so easy to keep using it portable-y on my bed for an extended period of time. I haven't had to intentionally charge it yet, as it easily gets fully charged while I'm using it in closed clamshell during the workday.
I'd disconnect from the charger every 3rd day or so.
Let it run down to around 45-50%, then reconnect.
ALSO...
I'd disconnect the charger from the wall outlet each night, as well.
Doesn't matter whether you let it sleep or shut it off.
Perhaps the newest Apple battery control software can take steps to protect against over-charging.
But then again, I'm old-fashioned.
Let it run down to around 45-50%, then reconnect.
ALSO...
I'd disconnect the charger from the wall outlet each night, as well.
Doesn't matter whether you let it sleep or shut it off.
Perhaps the newest Apple battery control software can take steps to protect against over-charging.
But then again, I'm old-fashioned.
I have done lots of researches about this topic. My personal opinion and advise is: use a battery management program like AlDente or Chargelimiter to put a charging limit on your battery while you use your computer always plugged.
In this case, it means that you power your computer via the charger, while the battery stays at a determined percentage (like 50% or 70%) at the same time. Without a program, Apple makes the similar thing by an internal software, it keeps your battery at 80%. But it needs so much time to learn your usage type. If you are a user who is not working in an office, or not distinct intervals, this makes the situation harder to learn for the internal software.
Hence I suggest to use one of the aforementioned programs, set a charging limit, and use it always in charge.
The charging limit could be 50%, 60%, or up tp 80%.
More than 80% accelerates the degradation of the battery by giving it high stress. Less than 20% does the same as well.
The stable region is considered in between 30% and 80%.
Right now I am always keeping mine (a new device, opened 4 days ago and has 100% battery health + 5 cycles) at always 50%. I am using AlDente by the way. Sometimes I will need to charge it up to 75% to make sure the battery is charged. Then I will use it until it gets around 35%. Then again, charging at staying at 50%. This might be the best case, if you are a user that uses the computer always a charger connected.
Additionally, it is best to use your battery at least 1-2 times a week. I mean, charge your battery up to 75% or 80%, then use it normally (not heavy load, please) up to 30%. Then charge and stay at 50% again.
It is also advised by Apple that, if you are planning not to use your computer for a long time, like at least 1 month, charge it until 50% and leave it like that. This is the best scenario for a battery. Because it is the most stable region. Hence I am advising to use it at the same level with the help of a battery manager software.
Thanks. I must admit I would have regarded something like Aldente as a bit hacky but, having read some reviews, it looks like a good idea.
Just wanted to second GoztepeEge's recommendation of AlDente. It's an awesome tool, no matter your particular use case or nuanced view on battery optimization. ?
You are right, agreed. I went with the paid version but even the free version works perfect. I am so happy to have this kind of nice applications to keep our devices healthy.
I still own a 2012 15" MBP (10.1) retina. For years it has been plugged continuously. It became a backup machine years ago, yet remains plugged in in a second room just for occasional browsing. Interestingly coconut battery reports: Manufacture date: 6/25/2012, Cycles: 71 (in more than 9 years) at 87% of designed capacity (interpreted as as "good)" Design capacity was 8460 mAh and current is 7318 mAh. Battery was never exercised - the 71 cycles were probably travel. Until my Current 2021 M1 MAX, this was the best MBP I owned (including 2016, 2018 and 2019 Maxed out models). Still running strong - I loaded Monterrey 12.1 (though not officially supported) and still runs great and very fast.
Do you have a technical source for your soda bottle analogy? I have done a ton of research on battery best practices, and it changes with each new battery type.
I believe that a lot of the 'trickle charge' results are a function of the charger and the battery controller.
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To make this, go to the power or battery settings, enable the "optimized battery" section if there exists.
Then check if the device keeps charging after 80% all the time, but first you need to give it some time so that it can learn how you use your computer.
It shouldn't have changed much recently as most Apple devices, like the MacBook Pro & iPhone, are using a lithium battery type.
Probably the best resource for battery information is on this site. I've always meant to study this more.
Thanks. Things change with different chemistry, cell management, and charging technology. I'll check it out and see if anything is specific to Apple's current batteries.It shouldn't have changed much recently as most Apple devices, like the MacBook Pro & iPhone, are using a lithium battery type.
Probably the best resource for battery information is on this site. I've always meant to study this more.
Per the article:
| Do I remove the battery when full? | Not necessary; charger turns off |
"A laptop battery could be prolonged by lowering the charge voltage when connected to the AC grid. To make this feature user-friendly, a device should feature a “Long Life” mode that keeps the battery at 4.05V/cell and offers a SoC of about 80 percent. One hour before traveling, the user requests the “Full Capacity” mode to bring the charge to 4.20V/cell.
The question is asked, “Should I disconnect my laptop from the power grid when not in use?” Under normal circumstances this should not be necessary because charging stops when the Li-ion battery is full. A topping charge is only applied when the battery voltage drops to a certain level. Most users do not remove the AC power, and this practice is safe."
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you never know with batteries. 16" intel hit 80% before the year was up. Apple was surprised and swapped battery. Current 16" M1 is at 100% life at 35 cycles and I noticed it only charges to 80% and then waits until morning to finish.
I bought a new 2011 MBP 15 in 2011 and that one had SERVICE NEEDED message at 13 months. Apple refused to fix for free even though message came on barely a month after basic warranty ended.
Also had a 12" 2017 that I used only on battery and hit 76% life at 750 cycles but I wore that one out like crazy in 3 years.
I bought a new 2011 MBP 15 in 2011 and that one had SERVICE NEEDED message at 13 months. Apple refused to fix for free even though message came on barely a month after basic warranty ended.
Also had a 12" 2017 that I used only on battery and hit 76% life at 750 cycles but I wore that one out like crazy in 3 years.
Well AlDente Pro seems to be working very nicely on my base 14". Only comment I'd make is the feature I bought it for (as opposed to just using free), the sailing mode, probably isn't necessary for me since I will probably through a charge cycle (i.e. top it up, use it off battery for a day and then charge) once per week.