We often get asked if it is safe to keep a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro charged and connected to the power adapter at all times. It may sound strange to always have a wireless device connected to the power supply, but these users have their reasons for doing so.
After all, you can connect a MacBook to an external screen and use it as a desktop in combination with an external keyboard or mouse. If necessary, you can disconnect the Mac and use it on the go. When used as a desktop, the MacBook is always charged, but is that good?
Can you always charge a MacBook?
In general, it is safe to leave a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air plugged into a charger all the time. Nowadays, MacBooks, especially those with lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, have built-in technologies to protect the battery and extend its lifespan. However, there are special factors to consider, such as heat and ventilation.
Benefits of Connected MacBook
When a MacBook is plugged in and charging, the user even benefits from additional advantages. For example, it will usually perform at its best, because there is no need to save energy to optimize battery life. For example, performance will decrease when you are performing intensive tasks on the battery. This is to prevent the battery from running out quickly.
Protect battery while charging
Nowadays MacBooks have a built-in battery management system that prevents the battery from being overcharged. When the battery is 100% charged, the charging process automatically stops and the MacBook mainly uses power directly from the adapter. The battery is bypassed to relieve it as much as possible.
Provide adequate ventilation
If you mainly want to charge your MacBook and connect it to the charger, you must ensure that it has sufficient ventilation. Do not place the Mac in a closed space or cover it with too many accessories. It is important that it can cool down properly so that it does not overheat.
Battery health management
Every MacBook user would do well to enable battery health management. The feature is designed to improve the lifespan of your MacBook battery by slowing down the rate of chemical aging. It does this by monitoring the battery’s temperature history and charging patterns.
Based on the metrics the feature collects, battery health management can temporarily reduce the maximum charge level of your battery. This is done where necessary to ensure that your battery charges to a level that is optimized for your usage, reducing wear on the battery and slowing down the chemical aging process. We explain how to activate this option in the featured article below.