It’s safe to say MacBooks are an integral component of our day-to-day lives. Whether you use yours for pleasure or for business purposes, such devices offer an ideal blend of design and functionality. Like with any other laptop, Macs aren’t immune to the challenge of a draining battery, which can be detrimental to productivity.
The good news is there are steps you can take to elevate your MacBook’s battery life, making sure you maximize your device’s utility and longevity. Here we will explore some of the most simple and effective tactics that can extend your Mac’s battery life significantly.
Close Unnecessary Applications
Each open application on your Mac device uses a certain volume of system resources, including battery power. This means the more applications you’ve got running, the quicker your battery will drain. Now is the time to change your way of working and click the X button on any applications that you aren’t actively using. Regularly checking and managing your active apps can truly make a noticeable difference in your battery life.
Use Specialist Plugins and Features
If you’re using the likes of Google Chrome to browse the web on your Mac, over time, you may find your battery life is draining quickly. This leads us to the obvious question – why does Google Chrome use so much battery on Mac? Setapp explains the reasonings in detail, as well as plugins and features you can use on Chrome that address user complaints and extend battery life.
Disable Dynamic Desktops and Motion Effects
MacOS includes a variety of visually pleasing features like Dynamic Desktops and motion effects. While these are attractive to the eye, they can consume an enormous amount of battery life, meaning you’re reaching for your charger more than you’d like to! For those who prioritize battery life over visual effects, look into disabling these features. To do this, simply head to System Preferences and head to Desktop & Screen Saver where you can change your dynamic desktop. To reduce motion, click on Accessibility and then Display.
Adjust Screen Brightness
One of the most obvious and straightforward ways to save battery on your MacBook is by managing your screen’s brightness. Understandably, high brightness levels consume more power, which can drain your battery much quicker. To adjust your brightness, click the F1 and F2 keys. Ultimately, you’ll want to ensure your screen is bright enough for visibility, but not excessively bright as the latter can cause eye strain. Consider switching off the auto-brightness feature too as this can sometimes lead to higher brightness levels than necessary.
Limit Background Processes
Background processes can be a significant battery drain and often run unnoticed. This includes processes like software updates, mail fetching, and iCloud syncing. To manage these, think about reducing your mail fetching frequency or adjusting your iCloud settings to sync less often. Remember to keep a close eye on any background apps or processes as these could be using a lot of energy without you even realizing.
Turn Off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
While there’s no denying how brilliant Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are for connectivity, they can consume a ton of battery power, particularly when left on and not in use. For the times when you don’t need internet access or aren’t using any Bluetooth devices, consider disabling these features. You can do this by clicking on their respective icons in the menu bar, before choosing ‘Turn Wi-Fi Off’ or ‘Turn Bluetooth Off.’
Update Software Regularly
Apple regularly provides software updates that often include energy efficiency improvements. Keeping your Mac device updated can therefore result in a longer battery life. While these can be done automatically, there is the option to check for updates yourself in System Preferences before clicking on Software Update. If you find an update is available, make sure to install it.
Regularly Service Your Battery
Like with any other battery, your Mac’s battery performance decreases over time. After several years of constant usage, you may find your Mac’s battery needs servicing or replacing. If you’re not sure what step to take, you can identify your battery’s health by holding the Option key and clicking the battery icon in the menu bar. If you find its condition is anything other than Normal, consider taking your Mac to a local Apple store or authorized service provider, as either can provide a battery checkup which will bring you peace of mind.
If you want to improve your Mac’s battery life, you need to understand this is a task that requires ongoing attention. Although, with our simple approaches above, you can ensure you get the most out of each charge and extend your Mac’s life.
It’s about balancing functionality with energy conservation. Any small adjustments can have a big impact and contribute to the bigger picture of optimal battery health, meaning you can enjoy your Mac for longer.
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