MBP 13" M1 battery drain

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Level 1

23 points

MBP 13" M1 battery drain

Hi, I have bought and been using the new MBP M1 for over a month now, and I am highly disappointed with the battery life, to a point which I find it abnormal. My usage is Safari with 2-3 tabs, WhatsApp Desktop, Messenger, Microsoft word/excel, Photos, at the maximum, and the battery will last a maximum of 8-9 hours the best days, usually more around 5-6 hours of full screen usage. Could it be that something is wrong with the battery?

Many thanks !

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.4

Posted on Jul 12, 2021 3:41 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Owl-53

Level 10

101,947 points

Jul 14, 2021 4:18 AM in response to Dalous

Ten would suggest opening the Activity Monitor >> View >> View ALL processes. Look in CPU Tab and see what is using a lot of CPU and then do same in Memory Tab. You are looking for a Run Away Process that is using a lot of CPU or / and memory. It will help identify by name the Process or Application.

Please report back the name of the offending application or process.

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Answer 2

Owl-53

Level 10

101,947 points

Jul 13, 2021 2:15 AM in response to Dalous

Are there any AntiVirus, Disk Cleaner, Optimizers, Defrag, VPNs etc installed which should be removed as per Developers Instructions. They are useless, unneeded, cause havoc and interfere with the normal operation of the OS and may even Corrupt the OS requiring a Reinstallation. The Built-in Security of Big Sur is all that is required.

Any of the above will also consume Resources and thusly Battery Power

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Answer 3

Owl-53

Level 10

101,947 points

Jul 13, 2021 3:58 AM in response to Dalous

Are the installed Applications / Extensions compatible with Big Sur. Check with the Developer for compatible Apps / extension or do they offer updates. Same goes for Third Party Drivers for Printer, Scanners etc.

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Answer 4

Owl-53

Level 10

101,947 points

Jul 14, 2021 5:02 AM in response to Dalous

From what I can see - running Spotify, WhatApps, Messenger Game Controller plus several other Application all at the same time. All these applications consumer energy and thusly Battery Power. Some of those same application are energy hungry. Suggest closing out Applications not in direct usage. That and make sure all third party application are Big Sur and M1 Specifc compatible.

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Answer 5

dominic23

Level 10

84,018 points

Jul 13, 2021 12:49 AM in response to Dalous

Try suggestions given in this article.

Try Reset the SMC: If you have a Mac with Apple Silicon, just restart your computer.

Source: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/if-your-battery-wont-charge-mh29198/mac

Section: Tips for MacBooks

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

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Answer 6

Dalous Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 14, 2021 5:55 AM in response to Owl-53

Thanks again.

I specifically opened all these apps to represent the maximum I could use at the same time. This drains the battery within 5-6 hours and I still find it very low, compared to what is published in so many tests and reviews. I would have expected at least a 10-hours duration with these apps open, especially as my late MacBook Pro 2011 was still as of today, with the same apps opened, lasting 2-3 hours on the same old battery I never changed...

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Answer 7

Owl-53

Level 10

101,947 points

Jul 14, 2021 6:15 AM in response to Dalous

The Devil is in the Details >> Up to 17 hours wireless web >> Up to 20 hours Apple TV app movie playback as per Apple Produce website.

I fail to see anything regarding your specific usages mentioned.

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Answer 8

Dalous Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 13, 2021 3:16 AM in response to dominic23

Thank you, I followed all instructions and none seems to be helping this unusual battery drain.

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Answer 9

Dalous Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 13, 2021 3:17 AM in response to Owl-53

Thanks a lot for your answer ! No, I literally just installed the apps I mentioned. The computer is almost like brand new and I am aware these antivirus are not useful to the Mac.

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