By Tim Hardwick
A key indicator of the health of your MacBook battery is its cycle count. Keep reading to find out what it means and how you can check it yourself.
Modern MacBooks can last 18 hours or more on a single battery charge, but like all rechargeable batteries, your Mac's battery has a finite life. Over time, its ability to hold a charge gradually decreases, which can leave you tethered to an outlet more often than you'd like. That's where knowing your Mac's battery cycle count can be important.
Checking your Mac's battery cycle count provides valuable information about its overall health and remaining life. Cycle count tells you how many times your battery has gone through a full charge cycle, which is when you use 100% of its capacity — either in one go or over several partial charges. By tracking this number, you can estimate how much life your battery has left and make a plan of action accordingly, whether that means changing your usage habits or preparing for a possible battery replacement in the future.
Checking Your Mac's Battery Cycle Count
Here's how to check your Mac's battery cycle count:
- Option-click the Apple () symbol in the menu bar.
- Select System Information from the drop-down menu.
- In the new window, click the Hardware listing in the left sidebar if its contents aren't visible.
- Click Power in the expanded hardware list.
- Look for Cycle Count under Health Information in the Battery Information section of the main
This The number shows how many times your battery has been completely discharged and recharged.
Apple designs MacBook batteries to retain up to 80% of their original capacity at a maximum cycle count that varies by model. The maximum cycle count for recent MacBooks is typically 1,000, while older models range from 300 to 500. You can find the maximum cycle count for your specific model on the Apple Support website.
Remember, reaching the maximum cycle count doesn’t mean your battery is finished. It’s just an indication of when you might notice a decrease in battery life. In macOS Catalina 10.15.5 and later, Apple includes a feature called Optimized Battery Charging that can help extend the life of your battery.
Every new Mac purchased from Apple comes with a one-year warranty, which includes service for a defective battery. If your Mac is out of warranty and your battery isn't worn out, Apple offers paid battery service.
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