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How do I prevent my MacBook Pro (2017) from charging (via external monitor / usb-c)?

I have a Samsung C3***WJU monitor at home and the only way I can connect my MacBook Pro (2017) with it is via the USB-C port. Unfortunately HDMI doesn't work. As usual for today's products, the monitor is able to charge my MacBook Pro without using the original Power Adapter. I know there are many people stating overcharging is no issue anymore and a thing from the past. Truth is though, I used my MacBook in this setting for about 6 months and completely destroyed my MacBook's battery life. At the end, it couldn't keep up with 60% charge of the battery and just shut down MacOS. Pretty awesome. Not. Truth to be told, I use my MacBook Pro usually in a desktop setting. Before getting this monitor, there was simply no issue when plugged in with the Power Adapter. Battery life seemed normal. That being said, I know there is no way to prevent my MacBook from charging (I honestly don't understand why Apple doesn't provide such a feature though). Now, I read in some comments that I just should use the power adapter plus the usb-c cable for the monitor and it would always choose the power adapter over the monitor's charging mode. However, I also read in an Apple comment that the MacBook would choose the one with the higher power. Looking at my situation, it would mean that my MacBook would charge via the external monitor again as the monitor provides 65W capability compared to the power adapter's 61W. So, the question is, how do I prevent my MacBook Pro from charging via the external monitor? I don't want to spend another 200+ EUR to get my battery replaced. Any ideas?



[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 26, 2020 2:51 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 26, 2020 7:13 AM

An external power supply that provides "USB Power Delivery" (like certain displays)  can not 'force itself' on your Mac. The Voltage and Current are delivered only after your Mac requests and the charger agrees to supply power under certain controlled conditions. The computer is in control of the entire process.


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Catalina software 10.15.5 and later for MacBook Pro with T2 chip (2016 models and later) includes a new feature called Battery Health Management. Based on your usage patterns, this widens the hysteresis to initiate a charge cycle at a lower level, and stop before 99 percent. 


About battery health management in Mac notebooks - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211094


This relaxes the set points around re-charging (based on your usage patterns) and can improve long term battery lifetimes. When active, recharging may stop short of 100 percent charged.



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5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 26, 2020 7:13 AM in response to cz_official

An external power supply that provides "USB Power Delivery" (like certain displays)  can not 'force itself' on your Mac. The Voltage and Current are delivered only after your Mac requests and the charger agrees to supply power under certain controlled conditions. The computer is in control of the entire process.


--------

Catalina software 10.15.5 and later for MacBook Pro with T2 chip (2016 models and later) includes a new feature called Battery Health Management. Based on your usage patterns, this widens the hysteresis to initiate a charge cycle at a lower level, and stop before 99 percent. 


About battery health management in Mac notebooks - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211094


This relaxes the set points around re-charging (based on your usage patterns) and can improve long term battery lifetimes. When active, recharging may stop short of 100 percent charged.



Oct 26, 2020 8:04 AM in response to cz_official

I tried out a new / better hdmi cable with a different usb-c <> hdmi adapter. Now it works.


Guys, I could literally experience the deterioration of the battery because of the external monitor. You don't need to believe me. It just happened despite the fact that there's probably a scientific paper out there on how one can use nuclear power to prolong Apple's battery life.


And I'm not concerned leaving the Macbook plugged in all the time, I'm rather concerned that Samsung's "power supply" somehow messes with my MacBook's battery life. That's all.

How do I prevent my MacBook Pro (2017) from charging (via external monitor / usb-c)?

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