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How to: Check a Mac battery cycle count

Ever wondered how to check your Macbook battery health status? This is one of my favourite things about owning a Macbook, being able to monitor battery health, along with detailed info about it. This is not new, but something I’ve been keeping an eye on since purchasing my first Macbook in 2008. I’ve been neglecting updates on my current 12″ Macbook and decided to check up on it, hence this ‘how to’ blog post.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Apple says all Macbooks are designed to retain 80% of its battery capacity at 1000 complete charging cycles. I’ve only had to replace a battery once on my Macbook Air back in 2014 because its status was ‘replace now’. I went through a lot on that Air, and used it when I was still full time employed, so I charged it way more than I currently do. (If you’re looking to prolong your battery life on a Macbook, find a company that offers a warranty on the service).

HOW TO CHECK YOUR MACBOOK BATTERY HEALTH

STEP 1: Click the Apple logo  on the top left of your screen.

STEP 2: Click ‘About this Mac’.

STEP 3: On the Overview tab, click ‘System Report…’

STEP 4: Under the Hardware setting, click on ‘Power’. Here you will find useful information, which includes how many times you charged your Macbook, and what the condition is. 

I’ve owned my 12″ Macbook since May 2016 and I’ve had to change the battery after 14 months due to a ‘component failure’. So, since July 2017, I charged it 372 times, and its current condition is ‘normal’. I plan to use it for at least two years more – hopefully Apple won’t make it obsolete by then and I can still get updates.

COCONUT BATTERY

I also use another third party app to check my battery status. It works for Macbooks and iOS devices. It gives you a snapshot of the status of your battery without having to scrutinise the info as displayed above. And you can keep a history of your status to see how it deteriorates over time.

Even though Apple claims your battery will retain 80% of its health after 1000 cycles, mine clearly didn’t, and my charging habits and usage are not extreme. I charge it only when it’s less than 10% and don’t think I use it in a way that abuses it. After 372 charges, my laptop is on 85.5% of its capacity. Here are the results of my Macbook on Coconut:

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