Is your MacBook battery draining faster than it should? Here's how to diagnose and extend your battery life.

Symptoms

  • Battery percentage drops fast, even with light use

  • Mac runs hot on battery

  • Battery health showing degradation

Step-by-Step Resolution

1. Check Battery Health

  1. Go to System Settings > Battery

  2. Review Battery Health to see if it shows "Normal" or "Service recommended"

  3. If service is recommended, the battery may need replacement

2. Identify Power-Hungry Apps

  1. In Battery settings, click the usage details ("Last 24 Hours" or "Last 10 Days")

  2. Identify apps using significant energy

  3. Close or uninstall apps that consume a lot of power but aren't essential

3. Adjust Energy Settings

  1. In Battery settings, enable options like:

    • "Slightly dim the display on battery"

    • Lower screen brightness manually

  2. Reduce screen timeout where appropriate

  3. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not needed

4. Update macOS

  1. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update

  2. Install all available updates

  3. Apple often includes battery optimisations in updates

5. Reset SMC (Intel Macs Only)

  1. Shut down your Mac

  2. Press Shift+Control+Option (left side) + power button for 10 seconds

  3. Release all keys

  4. Turn on your Mac

Battery still draining rapidly? If battery health is poor or the issue persists, it may be time for a battery replacement. Our team can assess your battery and advise on replacement options.

Book a Support Session