How to Check Your MacBook’s Battery Cycle Count and Why it Matters

Ever wondered how to check your Mac’s battery life and status? If you’re planning to sell your Mac or are simply keen to know its battery health, find out its cycle count is essential.

Below, we discuss what a battery cycle count is, why it’s important, and where you can find it on your Mac.

What Is Battery Cycle Count?

Your MacBook's battery works through part of a charge cycle every time you use it. The misconception is that you use a cycle count every time you plug in your MacBook to charge. When in fact, charge cycles only count how much battery you've actually drained.

One cycle count is equivalent to any combination of use that adds up to a hundred percent of the battery. That means that completing a cycle can be done in one sitting or over several days of usage.

For example, if you use a quarter of your battery every day, and charge your Mac fully after each use, it will take you four days to use one charge cycle.

Why Is the Charge Cycle Important?

While MacBooks are known for having better battery life than their counterparts, they are not exempted from decline. As the charge cycle gets higher, the total amount of charge your MacBook battery can hold goes down.

Because of this, many people regularly monitor their Mac’s battery life. Some people even use apps to monitor their MacBook’s battery life.

To add, most people looking to buy secondhand Mac notebooks check the device’s cycle count and its condition. Generally, people opt for units with lower battery cycle counts.

How to Find Your Mac’s Cycle Count

Do the following to get information about your MacBook’s battery information including its cycle count:

1. Hover your cursor on top of your Mac to find the menu bar.
2. Click the Apple logo, then choose About This Mac.
3. Click System Report.
4. Find Power under Hardware.
5. You should see Cycle Count under Health Information.

What Is the Maximum Cycle Count?

Batteries have maximum cycle counts or a specified amount of charge cycles where they can give optimum performance.

While you can still use your battery after reaching its maximum cycle count, you will likely experience shorter battery life. At this state, your battery can still retain 80 percent of its original capacity.

Related: Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Mac

For best performance, it is recommended that you have your battery replaced once it reaches its maximum cycle count.

Models from the 13-inch MacBook from late 2019, 17-inch MacBook Pro from early 2009, and 13-inch MacBook Air from late 2010 and newer all have a 1000 maximum cycle count.

Check Your Battery Health

A MacBook’s battery is vital to its performance. No matter how mindful you are, your battery’s health will degrade over time with constant draining and recharging. It’s best to keep it in check to keep your Mac in tip-top shape.

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