Plugging in MacBook Air M1 all the time good or bad?

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Level 1

17 points

Plugging in MacBook Air M1 all the time good or bad?

Hi! I bought a MacBook Air M1 last year. After only 20 charge cycles and few months later, my battery health has dropped to 98%. Because of this, I want to know what are the best practices (both theoretically and those some of you have noticed through experience) for extending the battery lifespan of my MacBook as I am a student and want to get through my studies completely while using this laptop. I have read some articles which state that using the MacBook all the time while connected to power is beneficial as overcharging is not a thing in current MacBooks and as power is directly drawn from the adapter, battery isn't used and its life is extended as the battery does not go through cycles. What amount of truth is there in this? Any advice how to extend battery lifespan would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

PS: My daily activities mostly include attending lectures on teams/watching those videos offline, using MS Word here and there and a little bit of c++ coding.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.1

Posted on Feb 7, 2022 9:02 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 8, 2022 10:43 AM in response to rishikhemani

You can leave the computer plugged in whenever convenient to do so. Neither the computer nor battery will be damaged by doing so. The MacOS manages the computer's charging/power system very well. The computer will not "overcharge". You do not need to try to micromanage the charging system.

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Answer 2

Feb 9, 2022 7:13 AM in response to rishikhemani

Stop trying to micromanage the computer's power/charging system. If it is convenient to leave it plugged in do so. If it is not convenient, don't. FWIW, I leave mine plugged in most of the time, and have been doing so since 2012 and I have never had an issue. I guess if I was trying to micromanage the system since 2012 I would be a wreck by now.

Plug in your computer and use it.

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Answer 3

Feb 8, 2022 10:32 AM in response to rishikhemani

Hello rishikhemani,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you're concerned about the battery on your MacBook Air, and you would like some tips to maximize battery life.

The following articles will provide the information you're looking for:

Take care.

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Answer 4

rishikhemani Author

Level 1

17 points

Feb 9, 2022 1:32 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

Hey, Thanks for the response. I have been reading some articles that using the laptop while plugged in constantly leads to higher temperature and hence can reduce the lifespan of the battery in the longer run. Is this actually true or am I fine using it almost as a desktop most of the time and use it on battery if and when necessary?

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Answer 5

rishikhemani Author

Level 1

17 points

Feb 9, 2022 7:05 AM in response to tbirdvet

Sorry if I’m being repetitive but just to summarise I have two options which seem right to maintain my battery lifespan.

1. Keep the laptop plugged in whenever you can so that you consume less battery cycles.

2. Keep the battery level between 40-80% as that is the region where the lithium batteries are most comfortable.

As I am just using it for study at a desk, since I am studying from home, both the above options are similarly convenient for me, as simple as pushing a button. What is the optimal way to go about it?

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Answer 6

tbirdvet

Level 6

17,018 points

Feb 9, 2022 4:43 AM in response to rishikhemani

I have mine plugged in and always runs cool. No issue.

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Plugging in MacBook Air M1 all the time good or bad?

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