I need to charge my computer to full before teaching a long class with no outlet available in the classroom. How do I turn off the "feature" where the battery refuses to charge even when the power adapter is plugged in?
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.5
System Preferences > Control Center > Battery section, make sure either Show in Menu Bar or Show in Control Center (or both) are active. Then with the Mac connected to AC power, click on the battery icon in the menu bar or control center, and select the option to Charge to Full Now.
Note that the option to charge to full is only available if the charging is on hold. If the Mac is below 80% and charging to that 80% for health reasons, or if it's already charging to full, the option is not available. For example, I've been running on battery occasionally for the past few days, so my Mac is not currently holding at 80% and is right now charging to full, so the battery info shows the time remaining until full charge:
System Preferences > Control Center > Battery section, make sure either Show in Menu Bar or Show in Control Center (or both) are active. Then with the Mac connected to AC power, click on the battery icon in the menu bar or control center, and select the option to Charge to Full Now.
Note that the option to charge to full is only available if the charging is on hold. If the Mac is below 80% and charging to that 80% for health reasons, or if it's already charging to full, the option is not available. For example, I've been running on battery occasionally for the past few days, so my Mac is not currently holding at 80% and is right now charging to full, so the battery info shows the time remaining until full charge:
Also, if you really do want to turn off the 'feature' (and are willing to accept possible consequences for long term battery health), that's in System Preferences > Battery > Options... Turn off Optimized Battery Charging.
I don't have a system running your version of macOS to check (your profile says you're running macOS 14 Sonoma), but information I've read says that once you're in the Battery System Settings, select Battery in the sidebar then click the Show Detail button next to Battery Health. That's where Battery Optimization apparently is in later versions of macOS.
If you do a lot of extended use where you worry about running out of power, you might want to consider getting an external battery, of which there are a number availble that can power or recharge a MacBook. Many are quite compact and not terribly expensive.
Hope this helps.
Yes. Also in System Preferences -> Battery there is no option to turn off optimized charging. Only to dim the screen, optimize video streaming, etc.
I understand the ramifications of turning it off, but I often use the laptop for long periods when on battery, for example teaching a long class, working in a cafe, or going on a long plane ride, etc. and I'd like to start out with a full charge in those cases. I guess I'm one of those people who like to be prepared LOL.
Thank you! Yes, I was unable to find the toggle to turn off the feature because it was not in the "options" menu. I clicked on the "info" button by battery health and it was there. What a relief.
I do have external batteries but they are heavy and I am disabled (spine issues in my neck) so I can't carry all that around. I struggle even to carry this MacBook Air, which is literally 50% heavier than my last MacBook. So it would be frustrating to have to carry an external battery around with me when I am already lugging this new MacBook that has a great battery, if it could only charge. Thank you so much for helping me. Apple is not kind to people with bad backs and small pockets LOL.
Just to confirm, you've clicked the battery icon in the menu bar and you're not seeing the "Charge to Full Now" option?
"charge to full now" missing on Macbook 2024
