How To Tell If It’s Time To Replace Your MacBook’s Battery.
Compared to other laptops, MacBooks are known for their longer battery life. Even with heavy daily use, you can work for hours on your Mac without worrying about running out of battery.
However, even the best technology loses performance over time. As your Mac ages, you will find that it needs to be charged more often. For some people, being close to the charger is not a problem at all times, but for others it may be more difficult. Not to mention how frustrating it is when your Mac dies unexpectedly from you in the middle of an important task or online meeting.
If you’ve been using your Mac for a while and are worried about the battery running out, there is a way to know if it’s time to replace your MacBook battery.
Does your Mac need a new battery?
Before you decide to replace your MacBook battery, there are a few things you should pay attention to.
Your Mac keeps dying
The first (and most obvious) sign that your Mac needs a new battery is when your computer continues to run out of power, even if you charged it not too long ago. When you first bought a Mac, you could work on it for hours, watch videos, and play games on a single charge.
If you feel like you’re now constantly having to look for a charger to keep your Mac running, it’s likely that your computer needs a new battery.
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Your Mac is overheating
There can be many reasons for Mac overheating. Sometimes it’s just the result of daily use. But sometimes, overheating can be a sign that your Mac battery is bad and you need to replace your Macbook battery soon.
You receive a battery maintenance warning
The worst and most sure sign that your Mac battery needs replacing is a battery maintenance alert. If you get an alert in the drop-down menu where you usually see a percentage in the upper right corner of the screen, it means the battery life is not extended and it’s time to buy a new one.
How to check battery health
Even if you haven’t received a battery maintenance alert yet, it’s worth checking the battery status before it’s too late. There is a utility on your Mac to help you better understand when you can expect to drain your battery.
To check the health of your MacBook’s battery, click the battery icon in the menu bar (the percent icon in the upper-right corner of your screen). If Status: Normal is displayed, it means everything is working fine and you don’t need to worry about your battery.
However, if you receive one of the following messages, it means your battery is no longer as good as new and it’s time to consider replacement options.
- Replace soon.
Your Mac’s battery is working fine, but it holds less charge than it was new.
- Replace now.
The battery works fine, but it holds significantly less charge than it was new. You can continue to use the battery until you replace the MacBook battery without damaging your computer.
- Service battery.
The battery is not working properly and you may or may not notice changes in its behavior or the amount of charge held. Take your computer to a service. You can continue to use the battery before testing without harming your computer.
If you do not receive a battery maintenance warning, your computer is safe. In addition, the “Replace Soon” status means that the battery will last for a while before you need to replace it.
How far is “soon”?
If the condition of your battery says anything other than Normal, there is no reason to panic, but instead check your current cycle count. Cycle counting refers to the number of times you completely use up your Mac’s battery and then fully charge it.
According to Apple, a modern Macbook’s battery can last up to 1000 cycles before it starts to age. After these 1000 cycles, your battery is designed to maintain up to 80% of its original capacity.
This means that you can safely continue to use the battery after 1000 cycles, it just gradually loses its power. You can use your Mac’s system information tool to find out the exact number of cycles your computer is in.
How to check your current cycle count
- Click the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your screen.
- Hold down the Option (Alt) key.
- Select System Information from the top of the drop-down menu.
- From the left menu under Hardware, select Power.
- Then find Battery Information Health Information Cycle Counter. The number next to it will be your Mac’s current cycle count.
At a current cycle count of 1482, my battery is in the “Replace Soon” state. It still gives me time to figure out if I want to replace the battery or get a new MacBook later.
Is it time to replace your MacBook battery?
At first, replacing the MacBook battery may seem like a minor issue. However, a good battery is what makes your Mac portable and delivers maximum performance.
In some cases, it might be worth considering replacing your Mac entirely. However, a new battery can make a big difference and save you a decent amount of money. If you’re not ready to spend money at all at the moment, check out our guide on what you can do to extend the battery life on your Mac without replacing it.
What’s the current state of your Mac’s battery? Would you consider replacing your MacBook battery or would you rather get a new Mac at all? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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