Macbook can’t hold a charge? Pro Tips and Tricks to make Apple Mac Batteries last longer from an experienced Apple repair technician:
First of all, it will help to explain one simple thing about the type of batteries that we’re discussing: They have a lifespan. It’s measured in “cycles“; each of which consists of a two part cycle: being discharged (or used) down to 0%, and then recharged, up to 100%.
The more cycles there are on the battery (it counts them), the less of the TOTAL capacity remains. So, after 600 cycles, you have 75% of your total capacity left. This means that your device will say 100% charged, but it will only last 45 minutes where it used to last an hour. This is a physical property of lithium ion batteries, and it’s not something that you can reset. Only a battery replacement will make your battery work like new.
With that out of the way, here are the actual procedures which will extend your battery life:
First, this may seem counterintuitive to some of you, but rule one: Do not unplug your computer when it’s fully charged, to “let the battery rest” or whatever else you think it may need!! All mac notebooks (since the iBook g4) have had circuitry inside the charger which essentially signals when the battery is full, and then diverting power to the main logic board.
In plain English, your computer will do better the less often you unplug it and plug it back in and unplug it again. Let it sit at 100. It won’t blow up.
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.
CashApp us
Venmo us
Paypal us
The “obvious trifecta” of turning down your brightness, wi-fi, and disabling bluetooth? Quite rudimentary, however I’m including it here in case a reader is new to computers:
The menu bar at the top of the screen has a wifi logo, and a bluetooth logo. Clicking on each will allow you to turn both off. Your touchbar or keys should have display brightness buttons.
Reaching out to the experts at Apple, we find the following:
“On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Battery in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Do any of the following:
Click the pop-up menu next to Low Power Mode on the right, then choose “Always,” “Only on battery,” or “Only on power adapter.”
Click the Info button next to Battery Health on the right, then turn on Optimized Battery Charging and “Manage battery longevity.”
Click Options on the right, then turn on “Put hard disks to sleep when possible” and “Automatic graphics switching.”
Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Lock Screen in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down).
Do any of the following:
Click the pop-up menu next to “Turn display off on battery when inactive” on the right, then choose an option.
Click the pop-up menu next to “Turn display off on power adapter when inactive” on the right, then choose an option.”
And that about covers it for your Mac! Stay tuned for the same guide, but for iOS devices, coming soon.
The Internet Patrol is completely free, and reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP.
CashApp us
Venmo us
Paypal us
