macOS Big Sur battery drain issue

Hi Pierfconsa, If you have malware protection software that's probably the culprit--third-party software. If not check your extensions, there's one or more that probably shouldn't be there. As I pointed out earlier, the culprit for me was Malawarebytes. As soon as I got rid of it my battery life returned. I would definitely start with all third-party packages.

Best,

The Bobes

Unfortunately, pierfconsa, Kaspersky AV is one of the least trusted “Anti-Virus” pieces of software most of us know of.

In any case, because Big Sur is a major Operating System (OS) upgrade (not a mere update), just because some software «didn’t have issues» on a previous macOS, doesn’t, at all, indicate that such is compatible with Big Sur!

Any time one upgrades an OS, one must check all software (including drivers for add-on hardware) for compatibility with the new OS.

(This has been true for as long as we have had electronic computers running OSs.)

pierfconsa wrote:

Just because Kaspersky is so bad apple is entitled to even damage the battery? Do you think.if I disenstall Kaspersky the damage to the battery will disappear? Thanks

Apple did nothing to «damage the battery», whether or not there is any such claimed «damage».

Once your machine stops using so much of its resources (like battery power) to run errant software, you may well find that there is no actual «damage to the battery», but there can be no guarantee.

I just disinstalled kaspersky and restarted and the damage is still showing to the battery. this computer prior to installing big sur was perfectly fine. the damage showed only after the upgrade of a couple of days ago. do you know how to guide me further?

Go to your Activity Monitor and see what's taking all the juice. To find Activity Monitor go to the spy glass in the top right of your screen and type Activity Monitor and the second column from the left entitled, " % CPU" will tell you. They should all be under 25%.

Hi, thanks, when i say 'damage' i refer to this 'service recommended' now showing under the drop down menu when clicking the battery. I also refer with 'damage' to the fact that the computer turns off when it's still 30% of battery power showing.

Prior to big sur if anything, this mac had such lengthy performance it was unbelievable. now battery amp shows about 2500 at full capacity over a potential about 6500.

The apps showing under 'actigvity monitor' are, from first, google chrome, spotlight, microsoft teams, finder, one drive, whatsapp, main, activity monitor, safari, acrobat, time machine, calendar...'

I did 'restart' the computer after un-installing kaspersky if that's what you mean by 'reboot'. the long list doesn't show any particular number most are at 0, occasionally the numbers raise i guess when there is activity. if i don't do anything, the only number above zero is from 'activity monitor' itself. thanks for following up with me.

thanks, i did also check the link of application compatibility and it doesn't make much sense to me, i listed all apps that 'doesn't work' on big sur, and it lists things like itune and other original software... thanks for trying, there was no particular overhearting, it can't be a coincidence that the first big drop in performance came with big sur, and the second big drop came after i installed the last update to big sur.

pierfconsa wrote:

thanks, i did also check the link of application compatibility and it doesn't make much sense to me, i listed all apps that 'doesn't work' on big sur, and it lists things like itune and other original software...

Things like iTunes (and some other Apple software) are listed as «’doesn’t work’» because they were discontinued before Big Sur.

Did you check your applications for compatibility, using the provided link?

… thanks for trying, there was no particular overhearting, it can't be a coincidence that the first big drop in performance came with big sur, and the second big drop came after i installed the last update to big sur.

What is happening, in all cases, is old, incompatible software (including driver software for add-on hardware, which are usually installed in the background, without direct user participation), that are misbehaving under the new Operating System (OS).

The most thoroughly tested configuration of Big Sur (as well as other versions of macOS) is a clean install, on a wiped drive, without any third-party software.

No such test cases exhibit any high CPU, high power drain, high temperatures, slow performance, etc.

However, all one need do is install old, incompatible software, and such issues can exhibit themselves (depending upon the software).

Unfortunately, since high temperatures can accompany high power drain, such can, indeed, damage batteries.

However, I cannot be certain there is any actual battery damage, at this time.

All we know is that your system is exhibiting some of the symptoms that could be due to that.

Thanks I don't have so much software I use computer just for basic stuff I checked and rechecked and removed Kaspersky after advice I.got here and.... Computer turned.off with 40per cent available battery.

i tunes is discontinued? what's the software running the music nowadays? i use spotify anyway. Now, if i wipe out the disk like you say and do a clean install of big sur firstly: how responsible of apple is it to introduce a software that may cause problems with old apparently inoffensive software? anyway, that answer is not going to help me anyway. How do i do this clean install of big sur?

Hi everyone,

I have solved the problem finally. I have tried all the methods on the Internet such as reinstalling Bigsur, doing NVRAM, uninstalling all possible 3rd party applications but they did not work. I have calibrated my battery several times but it did not work as well. Fİnally, I downloaded Avast just for trial but very interestingly it found some threats and resolved them. Now my Macbook gets at least 8 hours of battery life with a new brand battery. It no longer overheats. It is a miracle for me as I have been struggling for months to solve the problem with inefficient trials.

Welcome, fatihozturk148, to Apple Support Communities!

Can you share with us what «threats» «Avast» «found» «and» how it «resolved them»?

When you say «new brand battery», are you indicating that you have a brand new (Apple brand) battery?

You

do not deal with these kind of issues. The manufacturers deal with

them. You report it and then tolerate until manufacturers resolve it.

Think

about the times that you happily download and install the OS software

updates then realize how ridiculous the logic was behind all these

updates. Consumers have all been trained to agree to buying

half-finished products these days then wait for manufacturers’ mercy.

You are absolutely right. I called Apple many times that just told me a few book methods. They never accepted the fault or my aggrievement. It has been a tradition to look for our rights even for the most basic things.