How to Fix macOS Battery Drain (Incl. Sequoia)

14Dec

Battery life is crucial, especially for mobile and MacBook users. Apple’s Low Power Mode, introduced in macOS Monterey, has been a valuable tool for extending battery life. With the latest macOS Sequoia, this feature is even more accessible, and it is directly available in the Battery menu.

Does macOS Sequoia drain the battery?

It depends. macOS Sequoia itself doesn’t have a built-in battery drain issue. However, it introduces new features and functionalities that can increase your Mac’s resource usage.

As your Mac works harder, it consumes more battery power. This can lead to a perceived decrease in battery life compared to previous macOS versions.

Here’s a breakdown:

Increased Resource Demands: Sequoia utilizes more CPU, GPU, and other resources compared to older versions. This higher workload translates to higher battery consumption.
Hardware Compatibility: If you’re using an older Mac model, its hardware is likely not optimized for Sequoia’s resource demands. This can lead to a more noticeable battery drain.
M4 MacBook Benefit: Recent models, such as the M4 MacBook Pro, are equipped with improved battery technology and efficiency. This can counterbalance Sequoia’s CPU resource demands, resulting in good battery life.
Apple Intelligence: While Apple has optimized its AI suite for macOS and iOS, it will leave a huge impact on battery life. You will notice this if you have a Mac with an M3 chip or earlier.

Basic Mac maintenance steps help

The following methods will definitely help if you feel that your Mac is running slow.

#1 Restart Your Mac

This one’s easy but often overlooked. A quick restart can sometimes clear out temporary issues affecting power management. Just click Apple Menu > Restart and see if things improve. You should practice this step at least once a month if you keep your MacBook plugged in all the time.

#2 Update macOS

Most people don’t miss major macOS updates but hesitate to install subsequent options. So, after you have installed macOS Sequoia, you should keep an eye out for subsequent updates.

Apple frequently rolls out fixes for bugs, including those related to battery life. Go to System Preferences > Software Update and see if there’s an update waiting for you.

Battery health and usage patterns

A quickly draining battery may have to do with hardware as well. So, you should check the options below.

#3 Check Battery Health

Head to System Preferences > Battery > Battery Health to see your battery’s condition. If it says “Normal”, you’re good. But if it’s showing “Service Recommended”, it might be time for Apple to check your battery.

Don’t worry. If you see the message during the warranty period, you’ll get a free replacement.

#4 Use Activity Monitor

We recommend taking a look at Activity Monitor to see what might be draining your battery. Open Activity Monitor > Energy tab, and sort by Energy Impact. This will show you which apps and processes are using the most power.

If something looks off (like a process using way more energy than expected), close it to save some juice. If the built-in Activity Monitor doesn’t cut it, you can go for a third-party monitoring app. Such apps typically provide an overview of what is affecting your battery life.

In most cases, you’ll come across an app that takes up a lot of energy. If it’s not a necessary app, you can get rid of it or go for a lightweight alternative.

Check for and turn off background apps/activity

Background activities and apps may offer a relatively snappy experience. But they come at the cost of battery backup. Here are some steps.

#5 Find and Turn off Background Apps

Some apps may have daemons running in the background, consuming battery resources. They are difficult to spot through the Activity Monitor. So, we recommend using a tool like CleanMyMac or iStat Menus. This way, you can quickly find and disable/uninstall the app.

Taking care of these apps will make your Mac faster as well.

#6 Enable Power Nap

In System Preferences > Battery > Wake for network access, you can choose between three options: Always, Only on Power Adapter, and Never. You should go for Only on Power Adaptor to get the best of both worlds.

This feature will prevent unwanted battery draining when your Mac is sleeping.

#7 Close Unused Apps and Browser Tabs

Keep apps and browser tabs open only when you need them. Tabs, in particular, can sneakily use up battery if they’re running scripts or loading ads in the background.

Alternatively, you can use a web browser with features like Tab Sleeping or Suspender.

Optimize battery settings

The following settings are built into macOS, and using them can reduce battery drains.

#8 Optimize Display and Sleep Settings:

Go to System Preferences > Battery > Battery and adjust your settings here.

Enable the option to Optimize video streaming while on battery. This step will play videos on SDR instead of HDR, thus saving battery.
Enable the option to dim the display on the battery. This step will also help you reduce potential battery drains.
Set up your Mac to put hard disks to sleep when possible.

You can also find some options when you go to System Preferences > Lock Screen.

Set the display turnoff window to the minimum possible. I’d recommend 1-3 minutes.

This step alone can improve your Mac’s battery consumption pattern.

#9 Enable Battery Health Management

Battery Health Management is a feature designed to extend battery lifespan. You’ll find it under Battery > Battery Health. If this is off, try turning it on; it helps manage charge levels better over time.

#10 Lower Screen Brightness

This is a classic tip, but it’s still one of the best. Lower your screen brightness to a comfortable level to save battery.

#11 Turn Off Unused Connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Location Services)

If you don’t need these, turning them off is an easy way to stretch battery life a bit further. Disabling Bluetooth, in particular, can save a noticeable amount.

You should also check which apps have access to these features. For instance, if many apps actively use the location services, your Mac’s battery will run out quickly.

Advanced solutions to fix Battery drain

Here are some advanced steps you can follow if you face a noticeable battery drain even after following the steps given above.

#12 Terminal Command

For those comfortable with Terminal, you can try a command to reset system management settings:

sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25

This sets your Mac’s sleep mode to use less battery.

Note: Always back up your data before making system changes in Terminal.

#13 Using AlDente Pro

AlDente Pro allows you to set a charging limit (e.g., 80%) to reduce battery stress. It works more efficiently than the Optimized Battery Charging feature on macOS.

This tool can prolong battery health by preventing full charges, which are harder on lithium-ion batteries.

This is more of a precaution than a cure, though.

#14 Reset SMC (System Management Controller)

If battery drain issues persist, a more in-depth reset, like resetting the SMC, might be worth trying, especially if you’re on an Intel-based Mac. Apple’s Support site has detailed steps on this based on your model.

Turn off or adjust power-intensive features unique to Sequoia

Did you start noticing a major battery drain after installing macOS Sequoia? In that case, you should try these steps.

#15 Disable Dynamic Desktop Backgrounds

We love dynamic desktops, but they do require extra power.

If you’re noticing a drain, go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver and pick a static background instead.

#16 Reduce Animations and Motion

This might not be for everyone, but reducing motion can help. Go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Display and check Reduce Motion.

#17 Disable Apple Intelligence

If you don’t really use Apple Intelligence users, you might consider turning them off. Doing so would also help you free up a lot of RAM resources.

Ultimate Option

You can try the following option if you are still facing battery-draining issues on your Mac. But it’’s important to make sure that your battery is in the best condition.

#18 Reinstall macOS

This is a bigger step, but if you’re still struggling after trying everything, a clean reinstall could help.

Just remember to back up all your data first.

Extended: How does AI technology impact battery life?

As AI becomes increasingly integrated into software like macOS Sequoia, its impact on battery life needs consideration.

Many AI features, such as enhanced Siri capabilities, on-device machine learning for photo/movie management, and proactive recommendations, rely on background processing, which can drain battery power.

However, macOS Sequoia offers granular control over AI features, allowing you to customize your experience and prioritize battery life. By turning off certain AI-powered functions—such as natural language photo search, memory movie creation, limiting Spotlight suggestions, and adjusting Focus Mode settings—you can limit battery drain without sacrificing essential functionality.

Remember, AI features can significantly enhance your user experience. By finding the right balance between convenience and battery life, you can enjoy the benefits of AI-powered features in macOS Sequoia without compromising your device’s performance.

Additionally, the efficiency of M3 and M4 chips, coupled with Apple’s ongoing software optimizations, can help mitigate the impact of AI on battery life.

FAQ

How can I monitor my battery usage in real time?

The built-in Activity Monitor app provides detailed information about energy usage by processes and apps.

How long does a MacBook last on macOS Sequoia?

While there is no universal number, Apple devices tend to stick to the number that the manufacturer claims, at least for a couple of years. So, if you have bought your MacBook in the last two years, you should expect the same battery life when running MacOS Sequoia. In some cases, you can see an improved battery life on some devices.

What is the impact of external displays on battery life?

Using external displays can significantly drain battery life. Consider using them only when necessary and adjusting display settings to optimize power consumption.

Are there any hardware-related factors affecting battery life?

Factors like battery age, temperature, and physical damage can impact battery performance. Regularly check your battery’s health and consider replacing it if necessary.

Final words

We hope this guide has helped you address and fix the battery drain issues on macOS Sequoia. Implementing these solutions can significantly improve your Mac’s battery performance, especially if you have a more recent MacBook model. For older Macs, you may need to disable some features temporarily while waiting for Apple to release patches or consider upgrading to a newer model for optimal battery life.

Additionally, keeping an eye on your Mac’s temperature and battery health is essential. Consider using comprehensive system maintenance tools like Sensei or third-party system monitor apps such as iStat Menus to regularly check and maintain your Mac’s performance.

With a few tweaks and some patience, you can enjoy the latest features of macOS Sequoia without worrying about battery life. If problems persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to Apple Support for further assistance.

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How to Fix macOS Battery Drain (Incl. Sequoia)

Does macOS Sequoia drain the battery?