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User profile for user: stathis_kn
stathis_kn Author
User level: Level 1
6 points

Is it posible to disable charging on one of the USB-C ports?

I recently bought a Macbook Pro (16-inch, 2019) and I'm using it with a docking station (HP thunderbolt dock G2)

When the docking station is connected to any of the four USB-C ports, the MB is always charging. I need the docking station for the external monitor and other devices. But I'm afraid that this will eventually be bad for the battery life, since the battery will not be used very often.

The docking station doesn't offer an option to interrupt the charging power.


Is it possible to disable the charging ability for one of the USB-C ports?

Are there any other advice about this use case?

MacBook Pro 16", macOS 10.15

Posted on Jan 14, 2020 4:45 AM

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User profile for user: JohnRendleman
JohnRendleman
User level: Level 1
48 points

Posted on Jan 14, 2020 7:57 AM

There are ways to disable the USB-C ports on the Macbook Pro, but I doubt there is a practical way of disabling just the charging ability of them while still keeping the data transfer functionality you need for the docking station.


Some advice: as long as you get 1-2 charge cycles (cumulative 100% charging) per month, your battery should be fine for quite a long time. I wouldn't be too worried about leaving it plugged in for extended periods of time. However, if you want to be overly cautious, you can always unplug the docking station once you leave your workstation and plug it back in when you want to continue working.


You can read more here: https://www.apple.com/batteries/maximizing-performance/

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User profile for user: JohnRendleman
JohnRendleman
User level: Level 1
48 points

Jan 14, 2020 7:57 AM in response to stathis_kn

There are ways to disable the USB-C ports on the Macbook Pro, but I doubt there is a practical way of disabling just the charging ability of them while still keeping the data transfer functionality you need for the docking station.


Some advice: as long as you get 1-2 charge cycles (cumulative 100% charging) per month, your battery should be fine for quite a long time. I wouldn't be too worried about leaving it plugged in for extended periods of time. However, if you want to be overly cautious, you can always unplug the docking station once you leave your workstation and plug it back in when you want to continue working.


You can read more here: https://www.apple.com/batteries/maximizing-performance/

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User profile for user: leroydouglas
leroydouglas
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
188,472 points

Jan 14, 2020 8:01 AM in response to stathis_kn

Your Mac battery will never overcharge. It really is not an issue,


and never been an issue being plugged into a charger/Dock 24/7.



About Mac notebook batteries - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204054


Determine battery cycle count for Mac notebooks - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201585


Batteries - Maximizing Performance - Apple

https://www.apple.com/batteries/maximizing-performance/



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Is it posible to disable charging on one of the USB-C ports?

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