Keeping Your MacBook Plugged In: 5 Reasons Why It Doesn’t Hurt the Battery

In the past, there was a common belief that keeping laptops plugged in all the time would damage their batteries. This stemmed from older battery technologies that were susceptible to overcharging. However, modern MacBooks with Apple silicon and advanced battery management systems have made this concern largely obsolete.

Here are five key reasons why keeping your MacBook plugged in won’t negatively affect its battery:

1. Optimized Charging Algorithms: Modern MacBooks are equipped with sophisticated charging algorithms that prevent overcharging. Once the battery reaches 100%, the charging process stops, and the MacBook runs directly off the power adapter. This prevents the battery from being continuously charged, which can cause stress and degradation over time.
2. Power Source Prioritization: When your MacBook is plugged in, it prioritizes using power directly from the adapter rather than drawing from the battery. This reduces the number of charge cycles on the battery, which is a key factor in its overall lifespan. Charge cycles are the process of fully charging and discharging the battery, and each battery has a limited number of these cycles before its capacity starts to diminish.
3. Battery Health Management: macOS includes built-in features that actively manage battery health. These features analyze your charging patterns and optimize the battery’s state of charge to minimize wear and tear. For example, your MacBook may temporarily pause charging at 80% to reduce stress on the battery and then resume charging later.
4. Reduced Heat Generation: Contrary to older beliefs, keeping your MacBook plugged in generally reduces heat generation compared to constantly charging and discharging the battery. Excessive heat is a major contributor to battery degradation, so minimizing it helps prolong the battery’s lifespan.
5. Modern Battery Technology: MacBooks utilize lithium-ion polymer batteries, which are more resilient to the effects of being constantly plugged in compared to older battery technologies. These batteries have a higher energy density, lower self-discharge rate, and improved safety features.

In conclusion, keeping your MacBook with Apple silicon plugged in is perfectly safe and won’t harm its battery. The advanced power management systems and modern battery technology work together to optimize battery health and ensure a long lifespan. So, feel free to keep your MacBook plugged in when you’re working at your desk or have access to a power outlet, and don’t hesitate to unplug it when you need to be mobile.