Is it better to keep my MacBook plugged with a charging limit?

I am trying by all means to preserve my MacBook's battery lifespan. I recently downloaded AlDente so I could limit the charging. I want to keep my battery at 20-80%.

However, now I am wondering if it's better to plug and unplug the MacBook to keep it between those values, or if it's better to just keep it plugged with the charging limit set to 80%. My previous MacBook was constantly plugged and it practically ruined its battery.

I don't know if it changes anything, but I use my MacBook to watch classes, take notes, study and play The Sims lol.

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 14.4

Posted on May 16, 2024 12:48 AM

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4 replies

May 16, 2024 5:22 AM in response to gonzalo_rey

FWIW, I have a 2020 MacBook Air that I bought within a few months of its introduction. I use it plugged in 95% of the time or more. Going on four years now I still have 90% battery life. All I have done is turned on "Optimized Battery Charging" in the Mac's battery settings and it eventually learned early on that it is on the charger most of the time and it limits battery charge to 80%. No third party app is used to do this.


Like batteries on any other device, I consider them as consumables and when they wear out I replace them.


Also, I don't know how old your other Mac was, but batteries and charging technologies have become vastly improved in recent years.

May 16, 2024 5:24 AM in response to gonzalo_rey

There is literally nothing to you can do to influence the longevity of a Mac's battery, other than Apple's recommendations, here:


Batteries - Maximizing Performance - Apple


I recently downloaded AlDente so I could limit the charging. I want to keep my battery at 20-80%.


Don't bother using it, or any other clever third party app. All they will do is reduce your battery's lifespan, while wasting your time doing what you're doing.


My previous MacBook was constantly plugged and it practically ruined its battery.


Those days are long gone. Batteries need to be exercised, and recent Macs will exercise them no matter whether you do that or not.

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Is it better to keep my MacBook plugged with a charging limit?

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