What to do when your MacBook battery is dying too fast

⚡ Fast fix

• Battery hog? Check Activity Monitor for apps draining power behind the scenes.
• Need more juice? Turn on Low Power Mode in System Settings > Battery.
• Screen too bright? Dim it down; displays are notorious battery eaters.
• Battery getting old? Check battery health to see if it's time for a replacement.

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Let's imagine you're in a coffee shop, rushing to finish a work memo, when you notice your MacBook® is about to die. You charged it before you got there, but your battery is draining much faster than it used to. Now, all the other power outlets are taken and you're at risk of missing your deadline.

We can't help you meet your deadline, but we can make sure this doesn't happen again. At Asurion, we show you how to get the most out of the tech you love. Here's what to do if your MacBook battery is dying quickly.

Why's my MacBook battery draining so fast?

You may be wondering, how long does a MacBook battery last?

If you take good care of your laptop, it should last for 1000 charging cycles, which translates to about 5 years.

On a single charge, your MacBook should give you about 10–17 hours of battery life, depending on the model and how you use your device.

If the battery drains more quickly than that—or if it dies faster than it used to—certain apps or functions may be to blame. It's also possible that your battery may simply be wearing down, which happens over time.

Here's how to find out why your battery is draining faster:

Check your battery health

There's an easy way to check the battery health on your MacBook. Just follow these simple steps for your version of MacOS®.

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Settings, then click Battery in the left-hand sidebar menu.
2. Look closely at the Battery Health indicator layout on the right.
3. Check your designated status condition: Normal indicates your battery cells are behaving optimally; Service recommended implies the hardware's capacity has dropped significantly and you should arrange for a physical battery replacement.

If you get the latter message, reach out to a MacBook repair expert for help.

Check your battery usage

Apps like Zoom® or Spotify® and accessories like high-performance graphics cards are energy hogs, and they often cause your battery to drain. Here's how to find the culprits:

1. In the Activity Monitor app on your Mac®, click Energy.
2. Check the stats next to each app to see how much energy it's using.

How to make your MacBook battery last longer

Let's take a look at a few simple ways to extend your MacBook battery life.

Adjust the brightness of your screen and screensaver

Your MacBook battery will last longer if you lower your screen's overall brightness. Press the key with the sun logo to decrease brightness and conserve battery power.

If the image on your screensaver or desktop background is particularly bright, you'll save battery power by switching to a darker one.

Reduce energy use

If your battery isn't lasting as long as it used to, a few settings changes can help you squeeze more time out of each charge.

Turn on Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode reduces background activity and helps your Mac use less energy when you're away from an outlet. Go to System Settings > Battery and set Low Power Mode to Always or Only on Battery.

Enable battery health features

Your Mac includes built-in tools designed to reduce battery wear over time. Go to System Settings > Battery, click the (i) next to Battery Health, and make sure Optimized Battery Charging and Manage battery longevity are turned on.

Let your display sleep sooner

Your screen is one of the biggest battery users on any laptop. Go to System Settings > Lock Screen and set Turn display off on battery when inactive to a shorter time, such as 2 or 5 minutes. This helps prevent your display from draining power when you're not actively using it.

Disconnect your accessories

Unplug any accessories, like an external hard drive or keyboard, when you're not using them to save battery power.

Quit apps

Apps you're not using may still be working in the background and draining your battery. Close them to save power.

Check for software updates

Outdated software can cause issues with your battery, so always keep your MacBook operating system up to date.

Open System Settings > General then select Software Update. If there's an available update, click Update Now.

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FAQ

How long should the MacBook battery last on a full charge?

Your battery will last up to 17 hours on a single charge, depending on the model and how you're using your device.

Why's my MacBook battery draining quickly after a recent software update?

It's possible some apps or processes you are using were set to prevent Sleep Mode after the update. To check, open the Activity Monitor by going to Applications > Utilities and turn on Sleep Mode.

Do apps drain battery power?

Many apps use a great deal of battery power, so make sure to close any you're not using.

Can a faulty charger affect MacBook battery performance?

Yes. When you plug in your laptop, make sure to use the charger that came with your device. Other chargers may be cheaper, but they don't always work as well and can even damage your battery.

If you're worried that your MacBook may have a swollen battery, check out our guide to how to deal with it.