MacBook Pro's battery cycle count is high after only 8/9 months

macbookshag wrote:

Bought Macbook Pro M4 In March 2025.

Have brought in Macbook twice for battery checks, once just diagnostics. Second, they stripped the macbook and checked it for any issues.

Both time - no issues and my battery life is decent more than 12 hours while coding on VsCode.

However :

Battery Cycle -> 66

Battery Capacity -> 93 %

Keep in mind, I try to charge it whenever I can and it is only 8/9 months old.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Macbook Pro Battery Cycle

I see no issue here.

The rule of thumb—if you are near the mains leave it plugged in, if you need the portability then run on the battery only—this is how you help optimize your battery charging and extend the working life of your battery by reducing the cycle count.

Let the software work for you. ie find something else to worry about.

<< I try to charge it whenever I can >>

It appears that "whenever you can" is not good enough to meet your needs.

That computer is a battery-CAPABLE device, It is not optimized as a battery-operated device (it is not an iPhone.)

Your computer performs best when connected to AC power, such as the power adapter. It can use the full output of the Power Adapter AND when doing especially challenging work could also freely "borrow" power from the battery. In some cases, even with the power adapter connected, the charged state may decline during very stressful work.

When used only on battery, your computer has no extra cushion of power, and may perform more slowly. However, for ordinary non-stressful tasks this may not be objectionable (possibly not even noticeable.)

In general, you should ALWAYS connect a power source when it is possible to do so, and only run on batteries (which could be somewhat slower) when no power sources are at hand. Modern Macs maintain optimum battery charge levels under program control, and will NEVER over-charge. Connected to Power is NOT necessarily charging.

When you set it down in one place, or set it down for the night, Plug it in. Then you won’t CARE whether it would drain the battery. 

While the others have everything covered, here is one of my posts in another thread regarding the issue with a few more details on why you should just ignore the battery details until the battery is no longer working to your expectations:

Battery Health Details -- Post by @HWTech - Apple Community

"Macbook Pro Battery Cycle Bought Macbook Pro M4 In March 2025. Have brought in Macbook twice for battery checks, once just diagnostics. Second, they stripped the macbook and checked it for any issues. Both time - no issues and my battery life is decent more than 12 hours while coding on VsCode. [...]Keep in mind, I try to charge it whenever I can and it is only 8/9 months old."

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Battery Cycle and Battery Health:

Unfortunately, there is no way to determine why, or when, the Battery Capacity and Battery Cycle Count decreased. My 2023 MacBook Pro's Battery Health is down to 89%, yet my iPhone 13 iPro Max is 4 years old, and the Battery Health is 94%. Neither has had the battery replaced. When the Battery Capacity reaches 80% or lower, that is when it is time for a new battery. So, you are one for now.

"MacBook Pro's battery cycle count is high after only 8/9 months"

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Troubleshooting Mac Charging:

See if anything here helps...

Troubleshooting Mac Charge:

Refer to the following....

A. Reset the SMC and your NVRAM:

(Applies to Intel-Based Macs Only): Sometimes when changes are made to the system(i.e. Updates), system configurations (i.e. for Power) become manipulated, technically. So, reset the SMC and NVRAM. Try performing each thrice. It may take sometime, being certain you have the time to perform these resets.

B. Try a New Charger:

• Power & Cables - Mac Accessories - Apple - Select "Mac Compatibility" on the left
• Find the Right Power Adapter and Cable for your Mac Notebook - Apple Support

C. A Few Links to Refer to for Power:

• If your Mac doesn't Turn On - Apple Support

• About Mac Notebook Batteries - Apple Support

• How to Turn your Mac On or Off - Apple Support

• If your Mac Battery won't Charge - Apple Support

• Charge the MacBook Pro Battery - Apple Support

"Hey thanks for the help. I went down twice to Apple and nothing changed. The first time they just ran diagnostics and determined it was nothing. The second time they stripped my macbook fully and ran hardware tests and checked the battery. They ultimately deemed it to be normal and nothing was wrong with it. I have no option to do anything right now other than change the battery as even Apple deems it to be normal"

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You are welcome.

Let Things Sit:

These are just user-to-user forums. If Apple has diagnosed it, and deemed it as "Normal", then you are just fine.

"I get that but generally for such a new device and low cycle count, isn't the battery depletion unusually and alarmingly quick ? Apple expects you to hit 80% after a 1000 cycles. By that standard, 7 % for 66 cycles just doesn't make sense."

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Battery Conditions:

Sure it seems quick, by all is expected to fluctuate. No two batteries are the same. 80% after 1000 is typical. But, for a double digit heath count and battery cycle count to be close to one another is a bit suspicious. So, I would have this looked into.

A. Setting Up a Genius Bar Appointment:

Set up a Genius Bar Appointment at your local Apple Store. There, it will be looked at and you'll be provided with your options from there.

B. Contact an AASP: 

1. Go Here: Find Locations - Apple Authorized Reseller
2. Click: Service & Support
3. Enter: your location information
4. See: if there is an AASP nearby
5. Contact: an AASP that shows up, and find out more about the services that they offer to fix the Mac