Why your MacBook isn’t charging past 80%
It’s almost always one of two macOS features. Optimized Battery Charging (macOS Big Sur or later) learns your routine and holds the charge at 80% until shortly before you usually unplug; the battery menu shows “Charging On Hold”. Charge Limit (Apple silicon, macOS Tahoe 26.4 or later) stops at the limit you set; the menu shows “Charged to 80% Limit”. To charge to 100% now, choose Charge to Full Now in the battery menu.
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Which one is it?
Click the battery icon in the menu bar. “Charging On Hold” means Optimized Battery Charging is waiting; “Charged to [%] Limit” means Charge Limit has stopped charging at your limit.
- Choose Apple menu › System Settings, then click Battery in the sidebar.
- Click the info button next to Charging.
- See whether Optimized Battery Charging is on and which Charge Limit is set (on Apple silicon with macOS Tahoe 26.4 or later). Change them if you like, then click Done.
Charging to 100% when you need it
According to Apple, choosing Charge to Full Now from the battery menu charges to 100% right away with either feature. Apple also notes that the Mac occasionally charges to 100% by itself to keep its battery estimates accurate.
What BatteryGuard shows
BatteryGuard doesn’t change how your Mac charges. When the battery is held, its panel says “Plugged in, not charging” and shows that the power from the charger goes into running the Mac and nothing into the battery.
Questions
Is it a problem that my MacBook stops at 80%?
No. Both features are there to slow down battery wear. Your Mac still runs on the charger while the battery waits.
How do I charge to 100% just this once?
Click the battery icon in the menu bar and choose “Charge to Full Now”. It works for both Optimized Battery Charging and Charge Limit.
It says “Not Charging” but neither setting is on. Why?
The charger may be giving less power than the Mac is using, so nothing is left for the battery. Check the charger and cable.
Sources
- About Optimized Battery Charging and Charge Limit on Mac — Apple Support
- Charge your Mac laptop computer — Apple Support