Hi, I'm a computer newbie. My macbook air 2020 has a cycle count of 821 and , on coconut battery, a design capacity of 76.8. I am wondering if , as my Applecare plus expires May 2023, would the state of my battery entitle me to a new battery (I believe that the battery has to be operating at 80% or less to enable this). Is design capacity the same as the battery's operating/health status?
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design capacity query
- Thread starter brendanxx
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Apple only goes by Battery Health. You can check with Apple Care remotely, and they can diagnose your system to see, whether you qualify.
You don't see the Maximum Capacity there? That's the percentage we're talking about that Apple will use to determine if you're eligible for a replacement. If it doesn't, would you post a screenshot? Also which macOS version are you running?
From https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211832?cid=mc-ols-mac-article_ht211832-macos_ui-09042020
Your battery's maximum capacity
Maximum battery capacity measures the device battery capacity relative to when it was new. A battery will have lower capacity as the battery chemically ages which may result in fewer hours of usage between charges. Depending upon the length of time between when your computer was made and when you start using it, your battery capacity may show as slightly less than 100%.
A normal battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at its maximum cycle count when operating under normal conditions. The one-year warranty includes service coverage for a defective battery. If it is out of warranty, Apple offers battery service for a charge.
No, mine's 12.5.1 - I was unsure whether to upgrade to 12.6 as it has just come out. What do you advise? I really need to see whether my maximum capacity is less that 80% (coconut battery says it's 76.6%, but Apple doesn't care about that)
I believe the difference is because you have an Intel MBA, and not a silicon Mac. The same screenshot is shown in this Apple support article for Intel Macs:
support.apple.com
As opposed to what's available for Battery Health for silicon Macs:
support.apple.com
About battery health management in Mac laptops - Apple Support
Mac laptop computers with an Intel processor use battery health management, a feature designed to improve the lifespan of your computer's battery.
As opposed to what's available for Battery Health for silicon Macs:
About battery health management in Mac notebooks - Apple Support
Mac notebook computers with Apple silicon use battery health management, a feature designed to improve the lifespan of your computer's battery.
For your Intel Mac, you may want to add the battery percentage to your Finder menu bar if you haven't already. You can do that in Preferences > Battery. If you let it charge completely, that will help you know what your maximum might be.
In Coconut Battery under Design Capacity, I also see a percentage. Does that show for you too? If not, that's likely the difference between the Intel and silicon Macs as well.
Other than that, I don't have other suggestions other than getting it tested at an Apple Store. Maybe someone else knows of another way for Intel Macs.
In Coconut Battery under Design Capacity, I also see a percentage. Does that show for you too? If not, that's likely the difference between the Intel and silicon Macs as well.
Other than that, I don't have other suggestions other than getting it tested at an Apple Store. Maybe someone else knows of another way for Intel Macs.
Thanks for the interest. Yes - just checked, it's an intel. In coconut battery I have the attached
Does this mean that I have the required less than 80% to get a new battery with my Applecare+?
Yeah, I get the dilemma you're facing and I think your only choice is to get it diagnosed by Apple Support.
The difference is the intel MBAir. Mine also does not show the health percentage.
But, what I have normally heard is that is the battery health is below 80%, and you are still within the first 12 months of the normal warranty, then Apple will/should replace the battery. If you have AppleCare+, then that likely affects that, too. Where you actually are in the warranty period is going to decide. And, Apple decides. They will have the software tool that Apple uses as the final test to decide if the health is acceptable, or replaceable.
Your next step will be to contact AppleCare, or take to an Apple store. No one here can know for certain what Apple will (or won't) do for you.
But, what I have normally heard is that is the battery health is below 80%, and you are still within the first 12 months of the normal warranty, then Apple will/should replace the battery. If you have AppleCare+, then that likely affects that, too. Where you actually are in the warranty period is going to decide. And, Apple decides. They will have the software tool that Apple uses as the final test to decide if the health is acceptable, or replaceable.
Your next step will be to contact AppleCare, or take to an Apple store. No one here can know for certain what Apple will (or won't) do for you.
I see. I contacted Apple who said basically that although I had been previously told that if the cycle count was over 1000 before the end of my applecare+ then they would replace the battery, now the situation appeared to be they would replace the battery if - and here it gets vague, which is why I contacted you guys - the apple store considered that the battery was no longer functioning as normal - the less that 80% thing might or not not swing it. So, the applecare+stops next May and by then it might no longer be normal in the battery health in any case.
Anyway, thanks a lot for all you interest! Stay safe!
Anyway, thanks a lot for all you interest! Stay safe!
Thanks for posting about Apple's response. Very interesting that it's more weighted toward the Normal status and not the percentage.
Keep in mind you may be able to extend your AC+ coverage too. You may see an extension offer next May if you log into your support profile.
Keep in mind you may be able to extend your AC+ coverage too. You may see an extension offer next May if you log into your support profile.
Click on the Apple sign in the upper left > About This Mac > System Report > Power.
There you will see Battery Information. Under it will be:
Cycle Count
Condition
Maximum Capacity
That is what Apple will look at.
There you will see Battery Information. Under it will be:
Cycle Count
Condition
Maximum Capacity
That is what Apple will look at.
I checked on my Intel MBP, and it only has Cycle Count and Condition, not Max Capacity.