How to check the battery health and maximize performance on your Macbook

Internal batteries in laptops have a limited lifespan. The more you use your laptop, disconnected from a power source, the more cycles you’ll put on your battery. Macbooks have a maximum cycle count of 1000 (see full list below) full charges – although some batteries may last longer or shorter depending on other factors like temperature or time between charges. Once you’ve used up your battery count on your Macbook, Apple recommends you change out your battery at an Apple retail store to get extended life out of your pricey investment.

Apple makes it super easy to check your personal Macbook cycle count, including the health of your battery.

Here’s how to check:

1. Hold the Option key and click the Apple () menu. Choose System Information.
2. Under the Hardware section of the System Information window, select Power. The current cycle count is listed under the Battery Information section.
   

If you’ve reached the end of your battery life and want to replace your Macbook battery, here’s a cost breakdown of getting your device repaired at an official Apple store.

Product	Battery service
11-inch/13-inch MacBook Air	$129
13-inch MacBook (vintage)	$129
13-inch/15-inch MacBook Pro	$129
17-inch MacBook Pro	$179
12-inch MacBook	$199
13-inch/15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display	$199

If you take good care of your battery, you can get the most out of it. Here’s a few simple tips on how to get the most out of your battery.

• Avoid extreme temperatures – the ideal working temperature for your laptop is between 62-72 degrees Fahrenheit. You should avoid using your devices below 32 degrees and above 95 degrees to keep you battery in optimal condition.
• Store your device at 50% power when not using long-term – If you store a device when its battery is fully discharged, the battery could fall into a deep discharge state, which renders it incapable of holding a charge. Conversely, if you store it fully charged for an extended period of time, the battery may lose some capacity, leading to shorter battery life.
• Power down your device when not in use

Cycle count limits on Apple laptops

Use the table below to see the cycle count limit for your computer’s battery. The battery is considered consumed once it reaches the limit.