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Battery Drain and Maximum Capacity Issue After Sonoma 14.6.1 Update

Hello,


After updating my MacBook to Sonoma 14.6.1, I've noticed a significant increase in battery drain, along with a rapid decline in maximum battery capacity. My MacBook's battery life has dramatically decreased compared to before the update. Additionally, the maximum battery capacity percentage is dropping faster than usual.


Model: Macbook Pro 14 M3


I also use my Macbook almost every day with the battery plugged in. It's been 6 months since I bought it, and although my cycle count was 17, it suddenly dropped from 100% maximum capacity to 97%. I think this is definitely related to the last update.


Is anyone else experiencing this issue? Any suggestions on how to address this problem would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Sep 4, 2024 12:28 AM

Reply
10 replies

Sep 10, 2024 10:30 AM in response to mehmetadibelli

mehmetadibelli wrote:

As of now, the Cycle Count is still 17 and the maximum capacity has dropped to 96%.

The "Maximum Capacity" value is a recent addition to macOS (Apple has only shown it to user for just a couple years now, so people just don't understand how the Apple Lithium Batteries behave). It is perfectly normal for an Apple Lithium Battery to have its "Maximum Capacity" value fluctuate both up and down by as much as 5%. I have studied the behavior of Apple Lithium Batteries for some years now long before the "Maximum Capacity" value was ever shown to users.


The "Maximum Capacity" value is calculated from raw values provided by the battery itself to the computer. The only way this value would ever deviate is if it was modified which is unlikely....I have never seen this change on any Apple battery that I've been monitoring since 2015 or so.


See my other post here where I explain this behavior & fluctuations in a bit more detail:

Battery Health draining fast -- HWTech - Apple Community


TLDR: Just use the laptop & ignore the Battery health & status until the laptop's Battery is no longer performing to your expectations.


Others posting in this thread are referring to the battery charge level normally shown on the menu bar as dropping significantly since the last update (this is different from "Maximum Capacity". This issue can be related to a number of factors such as Spotlight indexing, or the update may have introduced some compatibility issues with some of the third party software.....make sure the third party software is completely up to date. Users will need to determine which specific app may be causing the extra energy/CPU utilization which in turn causes the battery runtime to shorten. Once a particular app has been identified (or perhaps a combination of two apps negatively interacting with one another), then contact the developer of that app.


Sep 4, 2024 12:54 AM in response to mehmetadibelli

The usage is normal as the capacity will go up and down all the time and never stay always at 100%.


Apple Batteries are rated for 1000 Full Battery Cycles and / or 80% Capacity before needing Evaluation or replacement.


For additional reading on Battery and Apple Computers this link may help. About battery health management in Mac notebooks


For the Apple Silicon Computer  If battery charging is paused or on hold on your Mac

Sep 4, 2024 1:07 AM in response to mehmetadibelli

Have a M3 machine since 6 months and the Battery Capacity will and does go up and down all the time


Then have a few suggestions ;


Start now and open an Apple Support Ticket as they are PAID  Apple Employees to deal will these types of issues . 


 Product Feedback - and make it known to Apple regarding this ongoing issue 


Have the computer evaluated by the Professionals who have the Special Hardware Software and Expertise to diagnose the issue and offer possible solutions


Make an Appointment at the Apple Genius Bar or call 1 800 MyApple and have them evaluate the computer


Other location call Centres 


 Contact Apple for support and service

Sep 10, 2024 2:00 PM in response to HWTech

Just to support your above excellent work there


Have had this machine since March 7, 2024


Refer to image, from same application as OP Coconutbattery 3.9.17 current version


That application only reads from the same sensor as those that macOS uses to report battery details


What is being report it the battery Full Charge Capacity is greater than Design Capacity



Battery Drain and Maximum Capacity Issue After Sonoma 14.6.1 Update

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