"Service Battery" at Cycle Count 240?

[umbilical]

I have a macbook pro 15 late 2013, (I know I need move to the M1 soon but).

I get the "Service Battery" / "Battery is not Charging" message on the top bar

Battery is start to down, now is on 73% plugged, (orange light on the magsafe).

Cycle Count: 240

other day, moves to 100% again, but now down again to 73%

is possible fixed?

I'll to try an SMC but I just have a external keyboard (yes, the default keyboard don't works).

 

[yukari]

If that is the original battery, I am not surprised. Cycle count is only one way to measure battery health. If you keep it plugged in most of the time, your cycle count will not increase much but your battery will degrade nonetheless.

 

[MBAir2010]

my MacBook air 2010 is always plugged in since then
and the battery rules!
but I'm on my 3rd power chord- which could be your macbook's problem
that stupid useless "service battery" warning is gone:
Health Information:

Cycle Count: 602
Condition: Normal
Battery Installed: Yes
Amperage (mA): 0
Voltage (mV): 7787

if it aint broke.....

 

[umbilical]

Actually I keep plugged all this years, rarely I use it unplugged.

 

[TinyMito]

If that is the original battery, I am not surprised. Cycle count is only one way to measure battery health. If you keep it plugged in most of the time, your cycle count will not increase much but you battery will degrade nonetheless.

On top, battery life is dated (degradation even if it never has been used). The chemical inside the battery doesn't last a life time. Car battery goes bad after 3-5 years depends on the quality and capacity, bigger capacity last longer due it has more room for degradation.

 

[GoztepeEge]

I have a macbook pro 15 late 2013, (I know I need move to the M1 soon but).

I get the "Service Battery" / "Battery is not Charging" message on the top bar

Battery is start to down, now is on 73% plugged, (orange light on the magsafe).

Cycle Count: 240

other day, moves to 100% again, but now down again to 73%

is possible fixed?

I'll to try an SMC but I just have a external keyboard (yes, the default keyboard don't works).

It is like expected, the device is considered as 8 years old right now, so the battery as well.
Each battery has an end, even you try to keep it at less cycles, it degrades over time. And especially if you would like to keep it healthy, by fighting the time, you should not keep it "always" more than 80% and less than 20%. This damages the battery even worse.

The only solution right now is to replace the battery which I tried for my early 2015 MBP 13". It had 980 cycles, and the health was 77%. Considering the production year as 2015, it was the time to replace. Yours has the same situation as well.

If you just would like to remove the "Service Battery" sign, there is a method works flawlessly. Check YouTube, you need to find and remove some Powermanagement plist documents, then this is it. You will not see the warning, but it may again appear in a few weeks.

Actually I keep plugged all this years, rarely I use it unplugged.

If this is your ordinary usage, this is the problem actually. You always used it plugged in, so I consider you kept it at always 100%. This pushes the battery a high stress, which accelerates the degradation over time. I also did the same mistake, I used mine like that in the first 2 years. So now if you get a new battery by replacement, try to keep it at around 40%-60%. You can utilize some battery management programs like AlDente or Chargelimiter in order to keep your new battery at always a determined percentage, while the charger stays always plugged. It means that you will not give harm and stress to your battery while you use your computer as well.

 

[umbilical]

thanks, I'll read all that and reply later, but! big question: what happens when this thing down to 0% I can continue use the computer but only plugged? or when down to 0% the computer will never startup?

 

[GoztepeEge]

thanks, I'll read all that and reply later, but! big question: what happens when this thing down to 0% I can continue use the computer but only plugged? or when down to 0% the computer will never startup?

You are going to be able to use your computer even with no battery. So meaning that, even if the battery fails and disconnects itself completely, you can use your computer when you plug it to the charger. It is because when you plug your charger in, the computer automatically uses the charger as the main power-source, it deactivates the battery until you plug-off the charger.

However in this special case, you need to consider if your battery is swollen or not. Because if this is the case, you have to replace the battery in order to protect other hardware. A swollen battery is dangerous in terms of chemistry. It may create corossion problems inside the computer chassis and other hardware like motherboard.

 

[umbilical]

You are going to be able to use your computer even with no battery. So meaning that, even if the battery fails and disconnects itself completely, you can use your computer when you plug it to the charger. It is because when you plug your charger in, the computer automatically uses the charger as the main power-source, it deactivates the battery until you plug-off the charger.

However in this special case, you need to consider if your battery is swollen or not. Because if this is the case, you have to replace the battery in order to protect other hardware. A swollen battery is dangerous in terms of chemistry. It may create corossion problems inside the computer chassis and other hardware like motherboard.

Good to know!!! I need that thing works at least 3 months more, to buy the new macbook m1 or mini... I don't know yet but I want replace this thing, serve to me all this years, a good machine but is time to replace it.

 

[GoztepeEge]

Good to know!!! I need that thing works at least 3 months more, to buy the new macbook m1 or mini... I don't know yet but I want replace this thing, serve to me all this years, a good machine but is time to replace it.

It will work perfect and normal as long as you plug the charger in. No worries ?

 

[umbilical]

If this is your ordinary usage, this is the problem actually. You always used it plugged in, so I consider you kept it at always 100%. This pushes the battery a high stress, which accelerates the degradation over time. I also did the same mistake, I used mine like that in the first 2 years. So now if you get a new battery by replacement, try to keep it at around 40%-60%. You can utilize some battery management programs like AlDente or Chargelimiter in order to keep your new battery at always a determined percentage, while the charger stays always plugged. It means that you will not give harm and stress to your battery while you use your computer as well.

So to learn to my future macbook pro, so I need keep it at 40%-60% ? and any of those apps do that?

Why if Apple know that why don't do something about it? you know keep it at those numbers or alert the user to unplugged the battery for some hours (maybe works?).

 

[GoztepeEge]

So to learn to my future macbook pro, so I need keep it at 40%-60% ? and any of those apps do that?

Why if Apple know that why don't do something about it? you know keep it at those numbers or alert the user to unplugged the battery for some hours (maybe works?).

In past there were not so much researches and not so much those beneficial apps. Hence nobody knew how to use a battery correctly, I did not know as well. Hence I used my previous early 2015 device extremely wrong in the first 2 years.

So, Apple actually knows all the things and they recently integrated a software into the MacOS, called something like optimised battery etc. When you activate it, it stops charging the battery at 80%. But it needs some time to learn your usage type, daily usage durations etc. Hence I do not like that so much, I control it myself.

Recently I use AlDente, it has both paid and free versions. When you just want to have a charging limit, go with the free version, and also "Chargelimiter" does the same for free as well. When you would like to have further details and features, paid version of the AlDente is needed.

So to say, to answer your question, yes. You need to keep the battery around 40%-60%. The best point is 50%.
However in this case there exists a balance in between the advantages and the disadvantages.
When you keep your battery at 50%, it will not be ready to be used for long hours without charging. It means that when you unplug it, you will have the ability to use it maybe a few hours or less. But, when you charge it until 80%, and then unplug it, you will be able to use longer hours.

You need to prioritize your needs.
If you usually do not need battery usage, keep your battery at 50%.
If you sometimes need to use the device with the battery, keep it maybe at 70% or 80%.

In either case, you are free to charge it to the 100% as well, if you need to use the device on battery for longer and longer hours. All these can be set by using one of the aforementioned applications.

I now use my device mostly at home, either as homeoffice or for university education. You know during the corona everything is terrible, we are usually at home. Hence I do not use mine as a "real" laptop. So I just keep it at 50% by limiting it at this rate, plugged in always the charger, battery is not being used and the MBP is powered with the charger only. Sometimes when I need to go to the kitchen for example, I will charge it up to 75%, then will use it until 30%. That is all. There is no harm to keep it at 50%. But do not forget to use the battery at least 1-2 times per week, so that it can stay alive for sure.

 

[umbilical]

I found this two videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8_tGIQYDQb9CaCOHBewXLg/videos really interesting, why in hell I don't know that before.

I struggle the same thing with the iphone, I buy the 13 mini and I don't know how use the battery, I simple charge the phone to 100% when down to 20%, when up 100%, I unplugged and star to use it, when down to 20% again... I do the same thing over and over again, now I don't know If I do the same thing.

 

[GoztepeEge]

I found this two videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8_tGIQYDQb9CaCOHBewXLg/videos really interesting, why in hell I don't know that before.

I struggle the same thing with the iphone, I buy the 13 mini and I don't know how use the battery, I simple charge the phone to 100% when down to 20%, when up 100%, I unplugged and star to use it, when down to 20% again... I do the same thing over and over again, now I don't know If I do the same thing.

I advise the AlDente, but it needs to be working continuously, so it occupies some of memory from RAM.
Otherwise, the Chargelimiter sets the limit one time, then it does not need to work and occupy memory. That is all.
You can decide which to choose. I have chosen the AlDente for now, I will test it.
If I decide to free up my RAM, then maybe I can exchange to the Chargelimiter.


By the way, the way you use your iPhone is really wrong. Keep this in mind: NO more than 80%, NO less than 20%. These are the limits for a stable region.

One more story: I am now using an iPhone 8 Plus, totally 2 years old device. It has JailBreak so I am able to check all the battery details. I have been using it in between 30% and 75% all the time. I have never reached more than 85%, and less than 20%. Now it has more than 1000 cycles, and 2 years old battery, but the health is still 100%. I advise you the same way, for all of your devices, of course if possible. (I always carry a 20000 mAh Xiaomi powerbank)
To demonstrate?
Check this out ?

 

[umbilical]

In past there were not so much researches and not so much those beneficial apps. Hence nobody knew how to use a battery correctly, I did not know as well. Hence I used my previous early 2015 device extremely wrong in the first 2 years.

So, Apple actually knows all the things and they recently integrated a software into the MacOS, called something like optimised battery etc. When you activate it, it stops charging the battery at 80%. But it needs some time to learn your usage type, daily usage durations etc. Hence I do not like that so much, I control it myself.

Recently I use AlDente, it has both paid and free versions. When you just want to have a charging limit, go with the free version, and also "Chargelimiter" does the same for free as well. When you would like to have further details and features, paid version of the AlDente is needed.

So to say, to answer your question, yes. You need to keep the battery around 40%-60%. The best point is 50%.
However in this case there exists a balance in between the advantages and the disadvantages.
When you keep your battery at 50%, it will not be ready to be used for long hours without charging. It means that when you unplug it, you will have the ability to use it maybe a few hours or less. But, when you charge it until 80%, and then unplug it, you will be able to use longer hours.

You need to prioritize your needs.
If you usually do not need battery usage, keep your battery at 50%.
If you sometimes need to use the device with the battery, keep it maybe at 70% or 80%.

In either case, you are free to charge it to the 100% as well, if you need to use the device on battery for longer and longer hours. All these can be set by using one of the aforementioned applications.

I now use my device mostly at home, either as homeoffice or for university education. You know during the corona everything is terrible, we are usually at home. Hence I do not use mine as a "real" laptop. So I just keep it at 50% by limiting it at this rate, plugged in always the charger, battery is not being used and the MBP is powered with the charger only. Sometimes when I need to go to the kitchen for example, I will charge it up to 75%, then will use it until 30%. That is all. There is no harm to keep it at 50%. But do not forget to use the battery at least 1-2 times per week, so that it can stay alive for sure.

Great info! thank you!

Yes I don't use too much the battery, actually with corona or not corona I work more at home, actually I debating if buy a mini or imac rather than a laptop but... I don't know yet, move is good around the house with the computer.

Before covid I work from home around 8 years, later I go a job outside and work for 2 years, so I need move a lot with this macbook pro in those 2 years, but after covid I back to home.

Maybe you say "why not buy a mini or imac and a macbook too for certain moments" the true? I hate have 2 systems, I love have one system with everything organized and ready to work, I have sync stuff etc. I do a lot programming, design stuff and keep all that sync and clean is a pain, so one system for me.

Well I talk a lot behind this thread hehe.

 

[GoztepeEge]

Great info! thank you!

Yes I don't use too much the battery, actually with corona or not corona I work more at home, actually I debating if buy a mini or imac rather than a laptop but... I don't know yet, move is good around the house with the computer.

Before covid I work from home around 8 years, later I go a job outside and work for 2 years, so I need move a lot with this macbook pro in those 2 years, but after covid I back to home.

Maybe you say "why not buy a mini or imac and a macbook too for certain moments" the true? I hate have 2 systems, I love have one system with everything organized and ready to work, I have sync stuff etc. I do a lot programming, design stuff and keep all that sync and clean is a pain, so one system for me.

Well I talk a lot behind this thread hehe.

I guess you just need an, at least, 2021 model MBP. Go with it.
You will have a nice computer for all of your works, organized, in one device.

I see no point at having two different devices, like a mini or iMac + the MBP.
It is not needed in my opinion. The laptop industry has changed a lot!
Now I have a 2021 MBP 14", however it is like I am using it as a desktop.
It is always plugged in to the charge, always have 2 additional displays + 1 its internal display.
But! If I ever need to carry it to anywhere else, it is always ready to serve.

For these reasons, take your chance with a new MBP ? One device, truly organized.

 

[umbilical]

I advise the AlDente, but it needs to be working continuously, so it occupies some of memory from RAM.
Otherwise, the Chargelimiter sets the limit one time, then it does not need to work and occupy memory. That is all.
You can decide which to choose. I have chosen the AlDente for now, I will test it.
If I decide to free up my RAM, then maybe I can exchange to the Chargelimiter.


By the way, the way you use your iPhone is really wrong. Keep this in mind: NO more than 80%, NO less than 20%. These are the limits for a stable region.

One more story: I am now using an iPhone 8 Plus, totally 2 years old device. It has JailBreak so I am able to check all the battery details. I have been using it in between 30% and 75% all the time. I have never reached more than 85%, and less than 20%. Now it has more than 1000 cycles, and 2 years old battery, but the health is still 100%. I advise you the same way, for all of your devices, of course if possible. (I always carry a 20000 mAh Xiaomi powerbank)
To demonstrate?
Check this out ?

wow that's great!

I buy this iphone less than 1 month ago, so I need to start doing that, so you recommend between 30% and 75% ?

when down to 30%, go to plugged to charge (I use cable, not magsafe), when up to 75% disconnected, is correct?

I also use a lot the LOW POWER MODE: ON to the battery use long more, of that way don't need charge this even 3 or 4 days (yes I don't use a lot the iphone, the iphone is for me like a monitor of my laptop, I spend more time on my laptop).

 

[umbilical]

I guess you just need an, at least, 2021 model MBP. Go with it.
You will have a nice computer for all of your works, organized, in one device.

I see no point at having two different devices, like a mini or iMac + the MBP.
It is not needed in my opinion. The laptop industry has changed a lot!
Now I have a 2021 MBP 14", however it is like I am using it as a desktop.
It is always plugged in to the charge, always have 2 additional displays + 1 its internal display.
But! If I ever need to carry it to anywhere else, it is always ready to serve.

For these reasons, take your chance with a new MBP ? One device, truly organized.

it change a lot yes, but you still continue use AlDente on the 2021 mbp 14? "If you usually do not need battery usage, keep your battery at 50%."

 

[umbilical]

I remember have this in my bookmarks, I need time to read it: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-9732

 

[GoztepeEge]

wow that's great!

I buy this iphone less than 1 month ago, so I need to start doing that, so you recommend between 30% and 75% ?

when down to 30%, go to plugged to charge (I use cable, not magsafe), when up to 75% disconnected, is correct?

I also use a lot the LOW POWER MODE: ON to the battery use long more, of that way don't need charge this even 3 or 4 days (yes I don't use a lot the iphone, the iphone is for me like a monitor of my laptop, I spend more time on my laptop).

Yes. That is right. Plug the iPhone when it goes 30%, then plug it off at 75% or 80%.
Buy you are free to charge it anytime. Do not wait until it gets to 30% everytime.

And also low power mode is not needed. It is needed when you are almost out of charge. But in normal situation use the device in normal battery mode.

it change a lot yes, but you still continue use AlDente on the 2021 mbp 14? "If you usually do not need battery usage, keep your battery at 50%."

I just purchased this 2021 MBP 14”, and I am using the AlDente for the last 3 days. Yes I am keeping the battery at 50%.

 

[pi=e=3]

So to learn to my future macbook pro, so I need keep it at 40%-60% ? and any of those apps do that?

Why if Apple know that why don't do something about it? you know keep it at those numbers or alert the user to unplugged the battery for some hours (maybe works?).

Apple does, MacOs learns your charging habits and will restrict charging over 80% if it sees you are always plugged in, and will delay charging past 80% until close to when it sees you typically unplug your device.

 

[TechRunner]

I had a 2015 MBA with only 58 cycles on the battery (used mostly plugged in and in clamshell mode) that hit me with the "Service Battery" warning. Batteries age. Even if you're extremely cautious with how you use and maintain a battery, there are no guarantees it will last longer then if you just use your laptop how you want and enjoy it.

 

[GoztepeEge]

I had a 2015 MBA with only 58 cycles on the battery (used mostly plugged in and in clamshell mode) that hit me with the "Service Battery" warning. Batteries age. Even if you're extremely cautious with how you use and maintain a battery, there are no guarantees it will last longer then if you just use your laptop how you want and enjoy it.

You can surely deccelerate the battery degradation. It is possible I mean.

When you try to keep the battery around middle regions, like around 50%, it stays relaxed and does not feel too much stress. Of course it will degrade over time, but you can be able to delay it.

 

[TechRunner]

You can surely deccelerate the battery degradation. It is possible I mean.

When you try to keep the battery around middle regions, like around 50%, it stays relaxed and does not feel too much stress. Of course it will degrade over time, but you can be able to delay it.

You're right, there are things you can do, but ultimately, battery health and life tend to be unreliable to predict. Oh, and to comment on another thread, glad you got your laptop situation worked out. Hope you enjoy that new 14" MBP!

 

[JPSaltzman]

My 2014 MBP (refurbished; supposedly a new battery when I bought it 2 years ago) has only 342 cycle counts (according to Cococnut Battery). For the past 6 months or so, I noticed the battery icon said "Service Battery." Sure, it may not hold its charge like it used to, but I really didn't want to deal with the Seller of this Refurbished MBP and the battery they installed in it. In the past, their instructions were for me (!) to remove the battery and ship it to them! Only then would they ship me a replacement. (Great service idea for a MBP under warranty! And good luck with finding a Lithium-on Battery Warning Sticker to put on the box!)

So I ignored the warnings. And wow -- the other day, it stopped saying "Service Battery" for no apparent reason. It's condition is now "normal." I have removed the case to see if the battery was swollen -- no. Just the same, I've bought a ready-to-use & install replacement battery from that Fit-It-Yourself web site.

And as far as iPhone batteries go, lately, every person I know who has an iPhone (which is almost everyone!) -- no matter what model, what size, what year, they have all commented on how lousy the battery life on their iPhone gets worse and worse with every new release.

I think all our skinny, thin, bony Apple devices are suffering from the "Jony Ivie Must Make It as Thin as Possible" syndrome. Meanwhile, he's out driving his Bentleys, which, last time I looked, never were thin or sleek or battery-driven. (There's a lesson here.)