Go to System Settings, click Battery, then turn on Optimized Battery Charging. Your Mac will learn your daily routine and automatically stop charging at 80% when you leave it plugged in for long periods.

This feature works on MacBook Air models from 2018 and newer, and MacBook Pro models from 2016 and newer. Your Mac needs macOS Big Sur or later for the full battery management system to work.

Quick Steps: Apple menu → System Settings → Battery → Turn on Optimized Battery Charging

Step by Step Instructions

Follow these steps to enable the 80% charge limit on your Mac:

  1. Open System Settings

    Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen. Select "System Settings" from the menu. On older versions of macOS, this is called "System Preferences."

  2. Click Battery

    In the left sidebar, scroll down and click "Battery." This opens all your power and charging options.

  3. Turn On Optimized Battery Charging

    Look for the toggle switch next to "Optimized Battery Charging" and turn it on. On macOS Sonoma and newer, you may also see a "Charge Limit" option that lets you set 80% directly.

Tip: Your Mac needs about 2-3 weeks to learn your charging habits before this feature starts working properly. It watches when you usually plug in, how long you stay connected, and when you normally need a full charge.

Why Stopping at 80% Helps Your Battery

Lithium-ion batteries, the type in every MacBook, wear out faster when kept at 100% charge. According to Battery University research, keeping a lithium-ion battery between 25% and 85% can double its lifespan compared to always charging to full.

When your battery sits at 100%, the internal chemical processes create extra stress on the battery cells. Heat builds up, and the lithium-ion coating inside slowly breaks down. Apple designed the 80% limit to avoid this stress zone and keep your battery healthy for years.

Key Point: A MacBook battery charged to 80% can retain up to 80% of its original capacity after 1,000 charge cycles. One that's always charged to 100% may drop to 60% capacity in the same time.

What macOS Version Do You Need

Apple first added Optimized Battery Charging in macOS Big Sur. Each newer version of macOS has improved the feature:

  • macOS Big Sur: Basic Optimized Battery Charging that learns your routine
  • macOS Monterey: Better predictions and smoother transitions to full charge
  • macOS Ventura: Added Battery Health information in the menu bar
  • macOS Sonoma and newer: Direct "Charge Limit" option to set 80% manually

To check your macOS version, click the Apple menu and select "About This Mac." If you're running an older version, you can update through System Settings → General → Software Update.

Using Third Party Apps for More Control

Apple's built-in feature is automatic, which means you can't set an exact percentage yourself in older macOS versions. If you want precise control over when your Mac stops charging, third party apps like AlDente give you that option.

AlDente lets you set any charge limit between 20% and 100%. You can pick 80%, or try 70% or 85% if you prefer. The app sits in your menu bar and shows your current battery level and charge status at a glance.

Important: If you use a third party charging app, turn off Apple's Optimized Battery Charging first. Running both at the same time can cause conflicts and unpredictable charging behavior.

To disable Apple's feature before using a third party app:

  1. Go to System Settings → Battery
  2. Turn off Optimized Battery Charging
  3. Install and configure your third party app

How to Get a Full Charge When You Need It

Sometimes you need 100% for a long flight or a day away from power outlets. Your Mac makes this easy, even with the 80% limit active.

On macOS Sonoma and newer: Click the battery icon in your menu bar. You'll see an option that says "Charge to Full Now." Click it, and your Mac will charge all the way to 100% this one time.

On older macOS versions: When your Mac thinks you'll unplug soon based on your normal schedule, it automatically finishes charging to 100%. If you need to override this manually, unplug your charger for about 10 seconds, then plug it back in. This resets the charging behavior temporarily.

Troubleshooting When the Feature Does Not Work

If your Mac isn't stopping at 80% even though you turned the feature on, here are the most common reasons and fixes:

Your Mac is still learning: The feature needs about 2-3 weeks of regular use to understand your charging habits. During this learning period, your Mac will still charge to 100% most of the time.

Your routine isn't predictable: The feature works best when you plug in your Mac at roughly the same time each day. If your schedule changes constantly, your Mac can't predict when to stop at 80%.

Location Services is off: Your Mac uses location to understand your charging patterns. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services and make sure it's enabled for System Services.

Your Mac model is too old: Only MacBook Air 2018 and newer, and MacBook Pro 2016 and newer support this feature. Older models don't have the required hardware.

How to Check Your Battery Health

After using the 80% charge limit for a while, you may want to check how well your battery is doing. macOS has a built-in tool for this.

Hold the Option key and click the battery icon in your menu bar. You'll see your battery's condition listed as one of these:

  • Normal: Your battery is working as expected
  • Service Recommended: Your battery holds much less charge than when new

For more details, go to System Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Here you'll see your maximum capacity as a percentage. A new battery shows 100%. After a few years of regular use, you might see 85-95% if you've been using the 80% charge limit, or 70-80% if you always charged to full.

Does This Work on Desktop Macs

No. The 80% charge limit feature only works on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops. Desktop Macs like the iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro don't have batteries, so they don't need this feature.