Optimize battery charging is not working or at least not smart.

I've had it for six months. I never use my Macbook M2 Pro on battery, so why doesn't it learn that?


If my power cable is disconnected even for a second, it will then charge to 100% even though my Macbook is always left plugged in except for very brief accidental disconnects.


It seemed to only work correctly after the update to 13.4. It would ignore brief disconnects to the cable and the charge would stay at 80%. The update to 13.4.1 killed all that again, and it's back to always charging right away to 100% if the cable is pulled loose even for a second.


The cycle starts with the laptop is at 80% charge and plugged in. The power cable is accidentally disconnected for a second or two. It then charges to 100%. A few hours later it automatically discharges to 80% while it is still plugged in. The cycle then starts over again the next time the cable is knocked loose. The Mac is always plugged in and always powered on.


Because I have pets and do not use the Macbook sitting at a desk, it is normal for the cable to be knocked loose for literally a second or two every day or so. (Magsafe has probably already saved me a new power adapter.)


This is more of a minor annoyance than anything, but I'm hoping someone has more information on how to fix it or knows if Apple is having problems with it?


Because it seemed to work right between the 13.4 and 13.4.1 updates, it doesn't seem like it's an app that can't learn the difference between actually battery usage and power disconnects for a second or two.



MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 13.4

Posted on Jul 9, 2023 1:34 PM

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Jul 10, 2023 9:48 AM in response to lightlarge

lightlarge wrote:

I've had it for six months. I never use my Macbook M2 Pro on battery, so why doesn't it learn that?

If my power cable is disconnected even for a second, it will then charge to 100% even though my Macbook is always left plugged in except for very brief accidental disconnects.


This is more of a minor annoyance


You do not have to micro-manage the battery charging.

There is no downside here, there is no issue here. Forget about it.


*BHM is not static it is dynamic.


It is just as detrimental to lock in at a specific %, and never reaching the 100%. Let the software exercise your battery as it see fit.



*Battery Health Management w/ Apple Silicon

About battery health management in Mac notebooks - Apple Support



Following after the general rule use as you see fit...

If you are near the mains leave it plugged in, if you need portability then run on the battery. That's it. Full stop.

Jul 10, 2023 10:27 AM in response to leroydouglas

Maybe, but it doesn't make sense that it would suddenly start ignoring accidental power disconnects when it upgraded to 13.4 and then after 13.4.1 just as suddenly go back to immediately charging to 100% when that happens. Then it always discharges back to 80% after a few hours.


Secondly it makes no sense that the battery needs to be exercised every single time the power cord gets accidentally unplugged regardless of how long it was since the last time.


I appreciate your time to answer but I’m really hoping someone has more specific information about this issue. Trust in Apple is fine but even Apple has bugs, mistakes and problems. They just have them less.

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Optimize battery charging is not working or at least not smart.

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