Fix ‘Inaccurate Battery Percentage on Mac’ Issue – Guide
Macs with internal batteries may display an incorrect battery level in the menu bar, leading to unexpected low battery warnings and more frequent charging.
Be aware that your device’s battery percentage may not be reliable. To address this issue, identify the underlying cause.
Rarely occurring, diagnosing the issue can be challenging. However, nine times out of ten, if your Mac is not displaying the correct battery level, it is a software issue rather than a hardware one.
Resetting the system management controller (SMC)
Resetting the SMC can help update your Mac’s battery percentage if it’s not displaying correctly. The SMC is a built-in component of the operating system that manages several functions, such as screen display, power, startup and shutdown.
To reset an older Mac notebook with a removable battery, turn off the computer and disconnect it from the power supply. Remove the battery, then press and hold the button for five seconds. Reinsert the battery, plug in to a power source and turn on.
To reset a newer MacBook model without a removable battery, press the Shift, Control, Option and on/off keys simultaneously while the computer is powered off and connected to a power source.
Keep an eye on your Mac’s battery percentage over the next two days to determine if restarting the SMC solved the issue.
Calibrate your Mac’s battery
Maintaining proper calibration of your Mac’s battery is essential for both accurate battery percentage readings and long-term battery health.
Calibrating your Mac’s battery is simple: just charge it to 100 percent and leave it connected for two hours. This will ensure the battery is at its full capacity.
Unplug your Mac and let the battery run down until it enters standby mode. Then, recharge it fully by connecting the charging cable.
Disconnect the charging cable from your MacBook after it’s recharged and observe if the battery percentage better reflects its use.
Schedule an appointment at the Genius Bar
If your device’s battery isn’t performing as expected, the experts at Apple’s Genius Bar can help. Don’t struggle with the issue yourself - let them take care of it.
Replacing the battery is the likely solution for a malfunctioning MacBook, and whether it’s covered by warranty or not depends on the cause. If it’s a manufacturer’s defect, then it will be included in the one-year limited warranty. Prices for battery replacement vary depending on the model of MacBook.
Apple is offering replacement batteries for a range of MacBooks, with prices starting at $129. The cost increases depending on the model, with the 17-inch MacBook Pro costing $179 and the 12-inch MacBook and 13-inch and 15-inch Retina MacBook Pros priced at $199.
Apple Geniuses will recycle your old battery and install a new one for you, all at an inclusive price.
Apple Geniuses can still help diagnose any issues with your MacBook, even if you don’t need to replace the battery. A trip to the Apple Store could be worth it, as the cost of repairs will depend on what’s causing the problem and how it’s fixed.
Final note
If you’re having trouble with your Mac’s battery percentage display, this guide can help. Got questions? Reach out to us. And don’t forget to share the love and pass it along to your friends.
