Telltale Signs You Need to Replace Your Macbook Battery

Apple says their laptop batteries are designed to last around 1,000 cycles or so. They even give you a way to check in on how many cycles your battery is at.

That doesn’t stop people from worrying about the health of their MacBook battery, especially if it starts acting up. How do you know when it’s time for a MacBook battery replacement?

These telltale signs will help you know when it’s time to get a new battery. Plus, this guide goes over what you can do when it’s time to replace a MacBook battery.

Check Battery Cycles Before Replacing

If you’ve had your MacBook for some time, you might want to check in on the battery’s health. Even if your laptop is running fine, it never hurts to check in.

To do this, head over to “System Information” on your MacBook. From there, select “Hardware.” Finally, pick “Power.”

You should see a good deal of information about your battery. Under “Health Information,” you can see the number of cycles and the battery’s status.

Apple says the battery lasts 1,000 cycles. If your battery is “Normal,” under 1,000 cycles, and your laptop is running fine, then you don’t need to replace it.

If you’re approaching the 1,000-cycle mark, then you might want to think about a MacBook battery replacement. There’s a good chance that your laptop will start acting up soon, so it’s best to be prepared.

Battery Won’t Charge

One of the telltale signs it’s time to replace a MacBook battery is that the battery is no longer holding its charge.

Sometimes, your battery won’t hold a charge even well before the 1,000-cycle mark.

You may want to check a few things before you blame the battery, though. First, check to see if your laptop is actually charging when you plug it in.

There could be an issue with the electrical outlet you’re using. There may also be an issue with the charging cable itself. In rare cases, it may not be attached properly and the laptop hasn’t been charging.

If you’ve checked out the electrical causes, then it’s probably the battery.

MacBook Battery Drains Fast

Another telltale sign of battery issues is the fast-draining battery. This happens after you charge your laptop battery. When you take it off the power, it drains much faster than it should.

Apple suggests most modern MacBook batteries are good for all-day use. That usually means around 11 or 12 hours. Older laptops and smaller laptops were rated for fewer hours.

As the laptop ages and the battery is used, your laptop may not hold the charge the way it once did. Still, you should get a few hours out of a fully charged battery.

If your laptop battery is draining fast, though, you may only get an hour or two before it’s dead again.

There can be a few reasons for this that aren’t the battery itself.

The most common culprit is actually the programs you’re running. Some apps will run in the background, causing your laptop to work harder. This can deplete the battery.

Sometimes, the operating system can also cause rapid battery depletion. If you recently upgraded to a new version of macOS, you may want to see if anyone else is having similar issues. If the OS is the problem, you can always switch back to an older version.

If these changes don’t solve the problem, then it may be time to replace your MacBook’s battery.

MacBook Won’t Turn On

Finally, you may not be able to turn your MacBook on. If you can connect it to power and get it to turn on, then the battery may indeed be dead.

Before you rush out to replace the battery, though, give your laptop a chance to charge. It is possible that the battery was drained.

If the battery still isn’t charging or the laptop turns off immediately when you disconnect the power, it’s likely time to replace your battery.

What To Do When It's Time for a MacBook Battery Replacement

Replacing your MacBook battery depends a bit on the model you’re using.

There have been specific recalls for some MacBook Pro models, so you may have MacBook Pro battery replacement covered.

If you bought AppleCare and your computer is still covered, then you may be able to get the battery replaced under warranty.

If your computer isn't under warranty or under recall, then you still have options. You can always take the MacBook to an Apple-certified technician or a computer repair shop.

DIY replacement with Apple products usually isn’t a great idea. Apple offers no official guidance, and if you’re not sure what you’re doing, you could end up bricking the device.

It's almost always a better choice to bring it to the experts.

Keep Your Battery Healthy

If you have your Macbook’s battery replaced and you want to extend its life, these tips can help.

First, think about how you use the battery. You should unplug your laptop and let it run on battery power every now and then.

Next, think about how you charge the laptop too. Letting the battery drain to 50 percent, then charging it again counts against your cycles. Your battery may perform inefficiently if you never let it drain.

You should also be aware of any software that could be draining your battery. Use Apple’s settings to conserve power and help your MacBook run more efficiently.

Power Up Your Mac

A MacBook battery replacement scenario is never something you want to be faced with. If you take good care of your battery and watch out for these signs, you'll be well prepared to deal with replacing your battery if you ever need to.

Do you have tech questions about your MacBook or another Apple device? Get in touch with an expert team! We can help you find the right solutions to keep your MacBook powered on.