New battery advice

[jamesgreen_97]

Hi guys,

I just received a new 13" MacBook Pro yesterday. I want to make sure I retain as much of the battery health over time that I can, so am looking for some advice!

Am I best to use the MacBook plugged into the charger, as often as I can? To reduce the amount of cycles used?

 

[CheesePuff]

Yes, that is what I have done with my 2015 and 2017 MBP 15"ers and years later they only lost 1-3% of the battery capacity.

 

[A1MB1G]

What about when leaving your laptop unattended at night? Is leaving it plugged in with the lid closed sufficient or should we be shutting down each night?

 

[JPack]

macOS already has features to reduce aging. You really don't need to do more.

About battery health management in Mac laptops - Apple Support

Mac laptop computers with an Intel processor use battery health management, a feature designed to improve the lifespan of your computer's battery.

support.apple.com

 

[yukari]

See: https://www.ifixit.com/News/31716/h... Between 40 and,can live with the uncertainty

and

What should I limit my battery charge level to?

I see it - coconutBattery shows 0 - .06 watts charging with. Mac OS says what you listed. Thanks!

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Fishrrman]

"Am I best to use the MacBook plugged into the charger, as often as I can? To reduce the amount of cycles used?"

NO!
Apple now specifically recommends that you DO NOT do this.

My advice:
If you're one of those folks who "leaves it plugged in" much or most of the time, take these precautions:
- Take it OFF THE CHARGER at least 3-4 times a week, and purposely "run the battery down" to about 35-40% or so. Then plug it back in and recharge. This "exercises" the battery.
- At night, power off the MacBook and UNPLUG the charger from the wall.
- Alternative -- let it sleep, but STILL unplug the charger from the wall.

You'll see many reports here from folks with "swollen batteries".
I'll bet many or most of them were the "leave it plugged in and charging all the time" users...

 

[A1MB1G]

"Am I best to use the MacBook plugged into the charger, as often as I can? To reduce the amount of cycles used?"

NO!
Apple now specifically recommends that you DO NOT do this.

My advice:
If you're one of those folks who "leaves it plugged in" much or most of the time, take these precautions:
- Take it OFF THE CHARGER at least 3-4 times a week, and purposely "run the battery down" to about 35-40% or so. Then plug it back in and recharge. This "exercises" the battery.
- At night, power off the MacBook and UNPLUG the charger from the wall.
- Alternative -- let it sleep, but STILL unplug the charger from the wall.

You'll see many reports here from folks with "swollen batteries".
I'll bet many or most of them were the "leave it plugged in and charging all the time" users...

Thanks, this is great advice. I already take it off the charger several times a week and do get down to the 30-40% level. What I have to stop doing is keeping it plugged in over night. I'll just close the lid and unplug the charger. Thanks!