MBA M2 - AppleCare+ ending - battery consideration

[BanFoy]

Hi folks,

As per thread title, my AppleCare+ is nearing expiration. It expires in Jan 2026. I have not needed to use it but I'm wondering about my battery.

I bought this unit (2022 13" M2 8/512) new from local Apple Store in Jan 2023 and used for 1.5 years in an office environment (mostly MS Office & web based applications) and at home. It was typically on a charger (OEM MagSafe) most of the time when in the office. From late fall 2024 until now it's been used for work-from-home and personal use (light). It will most likely be used as wfh and personal use until January 2026. When using at home unplugged, I typically aim to manually charge it when it gets down to ~20%. Sometimes I leave it charging overnight. Sometimes I use it at a desk plugged in charging. I.e., I have not paid a whole lot of attention to charging. I do have Optimized Battery Charging on since day 1 but I've only ever noticed it capping my charge to 80% once or twice.

In the first 1.5 years, while working in the office, I saw the Battery Condition continue to indicate Normal. In that same time I also saw the Maximum Capacity drop to 88%. From that 1.5 years mark until today those have not change; still shows Normal and 88%.

My understanding is that Apple suggests battery replacement @ 80%. I'm over half way to that 80% max capacity and I'm about 20% of my AppleCare+ time left.

What would you do if you were me?

I would not like to not end up with a battery needing replacement just after my AppleCare+ coverage ends. Should I consider doing anything specific to push the Maximum Capacity to 80% or lower before my AppleCare+ expires?

Any and all info appreciated!

 

[cjsuk]

I wouldn't worry about it until it's actually an issue. The M1 MBP I just sold was down at 78% and I hadn't even noticed until I sold it.

 

[BanFoy]

I wouldn't worry about it until it's actually an issue. The M1 MBP I just sold was down at 78% and I hadn't even noticed until I sold it.

Valid point and appreciate that perspective.

I was under the impression there were notifications at play when a MacBook battery max capacity hits 80% or lower. From what you are saying I'm thinking I'm wrong.

 

[cjsuk]

Valid point and appreciate that perspective.

I was under the impression there were notifications at play when a MacBook battery max capacity hits 80% or lower. From what you are saying I'm thinking I'm wrong.

No it doesn't bother you at all until it shuts down because of power failure. Same with iOS. There's a warning in battery health in settings and that is it.

Just checked my daughter's M1 and that's down at 68% (has been royally abused since it was bought) so I'm going to haul it in and get it swapped out next week.

 

[ignatius345]

What would you do if you were me?

I would not like to not end up with a battery needing replacement just after my AppleCare+ coverage ends. Should I consider doing anything specific to push the Maximum Capacity to 80% or lower before my AppleCare+ expires?

Any and all info appreciated!

Not sure I understand. You say your AppleCare expires January 2026 and you're planning on only using it until then. Based on what you're reporting for usage, the battery will still be working fine by then. If it was me, I'd just let it ride and not do anything versus putting any more money into a machine you're only using for another 8-9 months.

Not sure what you're planning to do with it at that point.

- If you're giving it away, the new owner can probably just absorb the $160 Apple charges to swap out the battery.

- If you're trading it in with Apple, it doesn't matter as they only ask if it charges up and runs.

- If you're selling it, again, you could just let the buyer deal with it. (And if you are selling it, I would actually advise doing so a few months before AppleCare expires. It's a definite plus that puts a buyer at ease.)

 

[BanFoy]

Not sure I understand. You say your AppleCare expires January 2026 and you're planning on only using it until then. Based on what you're reporting for usage, the battery will still be working fine by then. If it was me, I'd just let it ride and not do anything versus putting any more money into a machine you're only using for another 8-9 months.

Not sure what you're planning to do with it at that point.

- If you're giving it away, the new owner can probably just absorb the $160 Apple charges to swap out the battery.

- If you're trading it in with Apple, it doesn't matter as they only ask if it charges up and runs.

- If you're selling it, again, you could just let the buyer deal with it. (And if you are selling it, I would actually advise doing so a few months before AppleCare expires. It's a definite plus that puts a buyer at ease.)

Hi, sorry if I was unclear!

I am an electronics hoarder. I don't plan to get rid of this machine anytime soon. I typically run my devices as long as I can. E.g., my windows laptop is a Lenovo T430, I upgraded iPads two years ago when a buddy was selling his iPad Pro; I went from an iPad 4 to an iPad Pro 11" (last one before M).

So I'm wondering about the end of my AppleCare+ nearing, my battery almost to the half way mark to a replacement and my intention of keeping this MBA in use for several more years ...

 

[Mrbobb]

Doesn't Apple have an 80% rule? they won't warranty replace ur batt until it hits 80%

For the tech-minded the normal batt readings are not precise, I would download coconut battery, when u near 1000 charge cycles, that usually means downhill from there.

 

[jlc1978]

What would you do if you were me?

I would not like to not end up with a battery needing replacement just after my AppleCare+ coverage ends. Should I consider doing anything specific to push the Maximum Capacity to 80% or lower before my AppleCare+ expires?

Any and all info appreciated!

If it really worries you extend AppleCare if you can after it expires.

 

[arcite]

The battery will work just fine going under 80%, that’s just the cut off for Apple to replace it under warrenty. (80% or 1000 charge cycles)….but the battery will work just fine going down to around 30% or so. So in reality, a battery will last for nearly 10 years of normal use without the risk of it swelling up. OF course, there are many factors, such as the operating environment. I had an older air last for around 1600 charge cycles before the battery started really failing. New battery tech will enable many thousands of charges, so I’m sure this will be a moot issue in a few short years.

 

[haralds]

They are hard-nosed about the 80%. It took me forever to get my Apple Watch S5 to under 80% to get it replaced, while the thing died in the early afternoon.