Regularly checking your MacBook battery health is a smart way to ensure it’s operating as expected and to take action early if a replacement is needed. Monitoring key indicators like battery status, capacity, and charge cycles can help you avoid unexpected power issues.
Understanding these metrics allows you to maintain your device’s performance and battery life more effectively over time.
How to Check Battery Health
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen
- Select About This Mac
- Click More Info > Battery
On this screen, you’ll see three important metrics:
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Battery Health Status – This gives a summary of your battery’s condition. Possible statuses include:
Normal: Battery is functioning correctly
Service Recommended: Battery is degrading; monitor performance
Service Now: Battery health is poor and should be replaced immediately
-
Battery Capacity – Shows the current maximum charge compared to the battery’s original capacity. Lower capacity means reduced usage time.
- Charge Cycles – Indicates how many full charge/discharge cycles the battery has undergone. Apple recommends replacing the battery around 1,000 cycles, though performance often remains acceptable beyond that.
⚠️ What to Watch For
- If Battery Health shows Service Now, a replacement is necessary.
- If it shows Service Recommended, monitor battery life and prepare for a potential replacement soon.
- If Battery Capacity is low, expect reduced battery life—even if the status reads “Normal.”
- Keep an eye on Charge Cycles, but base decisions on health status and capacity.
💡 Tip: If your MacBook is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, you may be eligible for a free battery replacement through an Apple Authorised Service Provider.
