Frequently asked questions
Guess what? Apple guys know a lot about the batteries inside our MacBooks.
All data, explanation text and recommendations shown in Watts are based entirely on information exisiting in Apple official website. Below you'll find links to all this information.
If you have any other questions you want to ask, please get in touch.
Hey, where's the battery calibration that we used to have in Watts 1 and Watts 2?
Yeah don't worry. Nowadays, calibration is not needed in modern MacBooks. Batteries today have nice electronics, firmware, bits and bytes that take care of calibration internally.
That's the reason why Watts 3 now focuses on battery health information and nice menu bar icons!
Battery maximum capacity
What is the battery maximum capacity?
All rechargeable batteries are consumable components that become less effective as they chemically age.
As lithium-ion batteries chemically age, the amount of charge they can hold diminishes, resulting in shorter amounts of time before a device needs to be recharged. This can be referred to as the battery’s maximum capacity — the measure of battery capacity relative to when it was new.
Check out this detailed explanation on Apple website, section "When batteries chemically age".
Battery charge cycles
What are the battery charge cycles?
When you use your Mac laptop, its battery goes through charge cycles. A charge cycle happens when you use all of the battery’s power—but that doesn’t necessarily mean in a single charge.
For example, you could use half of your laptop's charge in one day, and then recharge it fully. If you did the same thing the next day, it would count as one charge cycle, not two. In this example, it might take several days to complete a cycle.
Batteries have a limited amount of charge cycles before their performance is expected to diminish. Once the cycle count is reached, a replacement battery is recommended to maintain performance. You can use your battery after it reaches its maximum cycle count, but you might notice a reduction in your battery life.
Check out this detailed explanation on Apple website.
This Apple page also explains how charge cycles work.
Battery "Service recommended"
What should I do if I see battery "Service recommended" on my MacBook?
Service recommended: the battery’s ability to hold charge is less than when it was new, or the battery isn’t functioning normally. You can continue to use your Mac safely, but if your battery needs a service or its lowered charging capacity is affecting your experience, get your battery evaluated at an Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider.
You can continue to use your battery before it’s checked without harming your computer.
Follow Apple instructions explained in this page.
What should I do if I want to service the battery of my MacBook?
All rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan and may eventually need to be serviced or recycled.
Follow Apple instructions explained here.
Battery lifespan
What is the difference between "battery life" and "battery lifespan"?
“Battery life” is the amount of time a device runs before it needs to be recharged. “Battery lifespan” is the amount of time a battery lasts until it needs to be replaced. Maximize both and you’ll get the most out of your Apple devices, no matter which ones you own.
Any tips for maximizing the battery life and lifespan of my MacBook?
Yes, Apple has some of those here.
Other battery problems
Why the battery status is showing "Not charging"?
The Battery Status menu on your Mac laptop might say “Not Charging”, even if it’s connected to power.
Follow the tips listed in this Apple page.
Why my battery is not charging completely?
It’s normal for your Mac laptop to stop charging before 100% to optimise or extend the lifespan of the battery.
Follow the tips listed in this Apple page.
Why is my battery running out of charge so quickly?
If the battery in your Mac laptop runs out of charge more quickly than you expected, follow Apple recommendations listed in this page.