How to Calibrate Your Newer MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air Battery
Apple’s newer MacBooks and MacBook Pros don’t have to go through the same calibration process as older iterations. Allow the MacBook to discharge completely and power off. Then, plug in the power cable and charge the battery to 100 percent. During this time, macOS automatically calibrates the battery.
How to Calibrate Your Older MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air Battery
To calibrate an older MacBook:
When to Calibrate the Battery
When you have an older MacBook or MacBook Pro, you may forget about the calibration process. It doesn’t hurt the battery if you forget to perform the calibration routine; it just means you’re not getting the best possible performance from the battery. However, after the battery is calibrated, its remaining time indicator is more accurate. Over time, as the battery accumulates charges and discharges, its performance changes. The appropriate time between calibrations depends on how often you use your Mac. The process doesn’t hurt anything, so it’s safe to calibrate the battery a few times a year.
Tips for Optimizing Battery Usage
There are plenty of ways to reduce battery usage on your Mac. Some are obvious, such as dimming the brightness of the display. The brighter the display, the more energy it uses. You can use the display preference pane to adjust display brightness. Other ways aren’t quite as apparent, such as turning off the Mac’s Wi-Fi capabilities when it isn’t using a wireless network connection. Even when your Mac isn’t actively connected to a wireless network, your Mac expends energy searching for available networks to use. Turn off Wi-Fi capabilities from the Wi-Fi menu bar icon or the Network preference pane. Disconnect peripherals, including any attached memory cards. Even when you’re not actively using a device, your Mac checks the various ports for any required service a device may need. Your Mac also supplies power through many of its ports, so disconnecting USB-powered external drives, for example, can extend battery time. If your MacBook was made in 2016 or later and is running at least macOS Monterey (12.0), you have another option to help your battery usage. Low Power Mode works similarly to the identically named feature on the iPhone and conserves power by automatically slowing the processor and dimming the screen. You can access this option in System Preferences > Battery.
