MacBook battery health
Every refurbished MacBook we sell has a battery rated as healthy. Here’s what that means, how to check it, and how to keep it that way.
What “battery health” means on a MacBook
Two numbers matter on a MacBook battery: Maximum Capacity (how much charge it holds vs new) and Cycle Count (how many full charge cycles it’s done). We test both before listing.
We ship every refurbished MacBook with the battery rated as Normal in macOS — the best of the four ratings (Normal, Replace Soon, Replace Now, Service Battery).
How to check your MacBook’s battery health
- Hold Option and click the battery icon in the menu bar — you’ll see the current status.
- Or open System Settings → Battery → Battery Health for the full read-out: Maximum Capacity and current condition.
Cycle count and what counts as one
A cycle = a full battery discharge worth of usage. Two days at 50% each counts as one cycle. Modern MacBooks (2010 onwards) are designed for 1,000 cycles; older models, 300–500.
To see your cycle count: hold Option while clicking Apple menu → System Information → Power → Health Information → Cycle Count.
Battery warranty
Batteries are covered for 6 months from delivery (the rest of the MacBook is covered for 12). If the battery rating drops to anything other than Normal within 6 months, we’ll replace it free of charge.
After 6 months, battery wear falls outside warranty. We can quote for a paid battery swap any time.
Looking after your battery
- Enable Optimised Battery Charging in System Settings → Battery. It holds the charge at 80% until macOS predicts you’ll unplug.
- Don’t leave your MacBook plugged in 24/7 at 100% — let it cycle.
- Heat is the enemy. Avoid using it on soft surfaces (sofa, duvet) that block the vents.
- Use Apple-supplied or MFi-certified chargers. Generic USB-C bricks can deliver wonky voltage.
Storing a MacBook unused for months? Charge to ~50% before storing, not 0% or 100%. Lithium batteries hate sitting at either extreme.
