How to set a battery charge limit on your Mac
If your MacBook spends most of its life plugged into a desk, keeping the battery at 100% all day ages it faster. For years the only fix was a third-party app. Now macOS can do it on its own.
Set a Charge Limit (Apple silicon, macOS 26.4 or later)
- Open Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click Battery in the sidebar.
- Click the info button (ⓘ) next to Charging.
- Choose a Charge Limit between 80% and 100%.
Your Mac now charges to within a few percent of the limit and stops. If the charge drops more than about 5% while it’s plugged in, charging starts again.
According to Apple’s support page, the feature needs macOS Tahoe 26.4 or later and a Mac with Apple silicon. We checked it on macOS 27.0.1.
When you need a full battery
Going on a trip? Apple’s page says you can choose Charge to Full Now from the battery menu in the menu bar to override the limit once. To remove the limit for good, set Charge Limit back to 100%.
“My Mac charged to 100% anyway”
That’s on purpose. Apple says Macs occasionally charge to 100% to keep the battery’s charge estimates accurate, even with a limit set. It’s not a bug, and the limit applies again afterwards.
Optimized Battery Charging: the automatic option
If you don’t want to pick a number, Optimized Battery Charging (in the same Battery settings) learns your routine and waits to charge past 80% until shortly before you usually unplug. While it’s waiting, the battery menu shows Charging On Hold.
The difference in practice:
| Charge Limit | Optimized Battery Charging | |
|---|---|---|
| Stops at | The percentage you choose (80–100%) | 80%, then finishes before you usually unplug |
| Predictable | Yes | Depends on your routine |
| Best for | A Mac that’s almost always plugged in | Regular daily charging habits |
| Needs | Apple silicon, macOS 26.4+ | macOS Big Sur 11 or later |
Check your battery’s health
In System Settings > Battery, the Battery Health section shows the battery’s maximum capacity compared to when it was new. A lower number means fewer hours per charge. It’s the best way to see whether limiting the charge is worth it for you.
When a battery app still makes sense
The built-in limit covers most people. Third-party tools such as AlDente are still worth a look if you have an Intel Mac, where macOS has no built-in limit (check that the app supports your model), or if you want extras macOS doesn’t offer, such as AlDente’s Heat Protection and Sailing Mode.
Related
- Leaving a MacBook plugged in to finish long jobs? Here’s how to keep it awake without changing settings for good.
- A hot Mac ages its battery faster. See how to watch CPU temperature from the menu bar.
- More small things macOS added recently, and what’s still missing: macOS missing features.
Questions
Can I limit my MacBook's charge to 80% without an app?
Yes, on a Mac with Apple silicon running macOS Tahoe 26.4 or later. Open System Settings > Battery, click the info button next to Charging, and choose a Charge Limit between 80% and 100%.
Why did my Mac charge to 100% even though I set a limit?
Apple says a Mac occasionally charges to 100% on purpose, to keep its battery percentage estimates accurate. That's expected, and it goes back to your limit afterwards.
Do Intel Macs have a charge limit?
No. The built-in Charge Limit needs a Mac with Apple silicon. Intel MacBooks have Optimized Battery Charging, which delays charging past 80% based on your routine, but no fixed limit.