# How to check your Mac battery health > Open System Settings, Battery, and click the Info button beside Battery Health to see condition and maximum capacity. Also charge and longevity options. Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/tips/check-mac-battery-health/ Last updated: 2026-11-04 Published 2026-11-04. Choose Apple menu then System Settings, click Battery in the sidebar, and look at Battery Health. It tells you whether your battery condition is normal or service is recommended. Click the Info button next to it to see Battery Condition and Maximum Capacity. ## Steps 1. Choose **Apple menu > System Settings**. 2. Click **Battery** in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down. 3. Find **Battery Health**. It shows whether the condition is normal or service is recommended. 4. Click the **Info** button next to the condition. The Info panel shows: - **Battery Condition:** whether the battery is normal or service is recommended. - **Maximum Capacity:** the capacity relative to when the battery was new. - **Manage battery longevity:** reduces peak capacity to optimize the battery's lifespan. Apple's page notes that some options may not be available depending on your Mac model, and that the guide is shown for macOS 27 on 4 November 2026. Older versions of macOS may label things differently, so check the page's version picker. ## What to do with the number If System Settings says service is recommended, contact Apple. Maximum Capacity is measured against the battery when it was new. ## Charging options that help Under **Charging**, click the Info button to see two options. **Charge Limit** caps how far the battery charges, to preserve its lifespan. To charge fully when you need to, click the Battery status menu bar item and choose **Charge to Full Now**. **Optimized Battery Charging** learns your routine and delays charging past 80 percent when you will probably stay plugged in for longer. ## See your usage Further down, the usage history shows the **Last 24 Hours** (Battery Level and Screen On Usage) and the **Last 10 Days** (Energy Usage and Screen On Usage). If the battery drains faster than expected, [find which app uses the most energy](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/see-which-app-uses-the-most-energy-on-mac/), and consider [Low Power Mode](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/turn-on-low-power-mode-on-mac/). ## Desktop Macs A Mac without a battery has no Battery Health. Apple says desktop Macs use Energy in the sidebar instead. ## The notch gauge NotchStar's [System tool](https://www.notchstar.com/features/system-stats/) shows the battery level as a ring that turns red when low and green while charging. It shows the charge level, not battery health or cycle counts, so use System Settings for health. The battery ring appears only on Macs that have a battery. ## Quick answers. ### What does Maximum Capacity mean? Apple describes it as the battery's capacity relative to when it was new. ## Keep reading. - [CPU, memory, disk, battery and network](https://www.notchstar.com/features/system-stats/): Live CPU, memory, disk, battery and network speed gauges in your Mac notch. Sampling only runs while the tab is open, so it stays light. - [How to turn on Low Power Mode on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/turn-on-low-power-mode-on-mac/): Choose Low Power under Energy Mode in System Settings, Battery, separately for battery and power adapter. Which Macs Apple says support it. - [How to see which app uses the most energy on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/see-which-app-uses-the-most-energy-on-mac/): Open Activity Monitor, click Energy, and sort by Energy Impact or 12 hr Power to find the apps draining your battery, and spot apps keeping the Mac awake. - [How to check CPU and memory use on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/check-cpu-and-memory-use-on-mac/): Open Activity Monitor and click CPU or Memory to see what is using your processor and RAM, and how to read memory pressure. ## More in System and battery. - [How to check CPU and memory use on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/check-cpu-and-memory-use-on-mac/): Open Activity Monitor and click CPU or Memory to see what is using your processor and RAM, and how to read memory pressure. - [How to see which app uses the most energy on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/see-which-app-uses-the-most-energy-on-mac/): Open Activity Monitor, click Energy, and sort by Energy Impact or 12 hr Power to find the apps draining your battery, and spot apps keeping the Mac awake. - [How to turn on Low Power Mode on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/turn-on-low-power-mode-on-mac/): Choose Low Power under Energy Mode in System Settings, Battery, separately for battery and power adapter. Which Macs Apple says support it. - [How to quit an app that is using too much CPU](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/quit-an-app-in-activity-monitor/): Select the app in Activity Monitor, click the Stop button and choose Quit or Force Quit. What each does, and why not to force quit casually.