If you see Service Recommended on your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro

Find out how to check the health of your battery and resolve charging issues.

Check Battery Health

Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences (or System Settings), then click Battery. The Battery information displayed here includes Battery Health:

Battery Health displays the following

  • Normal: The battery is functioning normally.

  • Service Recommended: The battery’s ability to hold charge is less than when it was new, or the battery isn’t functioning normally. You can safely continue to use your Mac but if your battery needs a service or its lowered charging capacity is affecting your experience, get your battery evaluated at an Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider, or contact Apple.

Battery settings in macOS Ventura

In some earlier versions of macOS, battery health may be reported as Replace Soon, Replace Now or Service Battery, and may appear in the battery status menu instead of Battery settings: Press and hold the Option (or Alt) key while clicking the battery status menuNo alt supplied for Image in the menu bar.

Some third-party apps also report battery health conditions but the data they report may not be accurate or conclusively indicate diminished system runtime. It's best to rely on the battery-health information reported by macOS.

If your battery isn't charging

Battery status menu in macOS with Charging On Hold (Rarely Used on Battery) message

Occasionally the battery status menuNo alt supplied for Image in the menu bar may not show a full charge (100%), even after the power adaptor has been connected for a long time. This is optimised battery charging, which helps prolong the overall life of the battery. If charging is on hold and you need your battery to be fully charged sooner, choose Charge To Full Now from the battery status menuNo alt supplied for Image.

If your battery isn't charging, make sure you're using the correct power adaptor for your Mac. If the power adaptor isn't rated for at least the wattage that your Mac requires, it may not charge your Mac reliably. If you're using the correct power adaptor, make sure the power adaptor isn't at fault:

If your battery still isn't charging:

  • Shut down your Mac, close its lid for 30 seconds, then try to charge it again.

  • If you're using an Intel-based Mac, it may help to reset the SMC.

  • Use Apple Diagnostics to test for battery issues.

Receive a service for your battery

Your Apple One-Year Limited Warranty includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. If you purchased an AppleCare Protection Plan If you don't have coverage, you can have the battery replaced for a fee.

MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro computers with built-in batteries should only have their batteries replaced by an Apple Authorised Service Provider or Apple Store, or by an Independent Repair Provider that uses genuine Apple parts.1 Repairs performed by untrained individuals or using non-genuine Apple parts could damage your equipment, and such damage is not covered by warranty. Genuine Apple parts are also available for out-of-warranty repairs through Self Service Repair.2

Some older Mac laptops have removable batteries that you can replace yourself. Contact an Apple Authorised Service Provider or Apple Store for help with servicing a removable battery.

Find out more about the batteries used in Apple products

Find out more about Battery settings to conserve energy

Find out more about Displays settings to conserve energy

1. Independent Repair Providers have access to genuine Apple parts, tools, training, service guides, diagnostics and resources. Repairs by Independent Repair Providers are not covered by Apple's warranty or AppleCare plans but may be covered by the provider's own repair warranty.

2. Self Service Repair provides access to genuine Apple parts, tools and repair manuals so that customers who are experienced with the complexities of repairing electronic devices can perform their own out-of-warranty repairs. Self Service Repair is currently available in certain countries or regions for specific models of Mac computers introduced in 2020 or later. To view repair manuals and order parts for eligible models, visit the Self Service Repair page.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: