How to Check MacBook Battery Life and Health

When using a MacBook, it is important to keep an eye on the battery life and its health state, especially if the device is under a heavy workload or is used to run resource-intensive applications frequently. You also should check the battery health if you notice any deviations in the normal charge cycle such as delays before the battery starts charging or if it starts to exhibit reduced capacity. 

To check the power on your MacBook, click on the battery icon in the Menu bar while holding the Option key on your keyboard. This should open the advanced options of the battery menu. All of the essential details about your MacBook's battery will be displayed there. There are four possible states for the battery 'Normal,' 'Replace Soon,' 'Replace Now' and 'Service Battery.' 

Let's start with the best scenario - 'Normal' means that the battery is functioning as intended and no issues have been detected. 'Replace soon' indicates some deterioration but the battery is still working at a reasonably good level. If you see 'Replace Now,' it signals that although the battery is functioning, it now holds a much lesser charge than before. The 'Service Now' message appears if there are critical issues with the battery such as it being damaged or overheating. Continuing to use the device in its current state could lead to additional components becoming damaged as well. 

Each MacBook Pro or Air can conduct only a certain number of charge cycles. Users who wish to check on details about their device's charge cycles can do so by pressing and then holding the Option key followed by selecting Menu, 'System Information' and finally 'Power Options.'