Your MacBook battery says Service Recommended

Why it happens

Every battery loses capacity as it goes through charge cycles and gets older. Once it drops well below what it held when new, or your Mac detects a fault, Battery Health changes from Normal to Service Recommended. It's a heads-up about worn hardware, and no setting can reverse it.

How to fix it

1. Open System Settings, click Battery and click the info button next to Battery Health. You'll see the condition and Maximum Capacity, which compares today's charge with the battery when new.

   Battery›Battery Health

2. Carry on using your Mac as normal if it still lasts long enough for your day. Keep the charger handy, because it may run down faster or shut down earlier than the percentage suggests.

3. Leave Optimized Battery Charging on, or set a Charge Limit, to slow further wear while you decide.

   Battery›Charging›Optimized Battery Charging

4. When you're ready to replace it, back up with Time Machine first, then book a battery service with Apple Support, an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. If you have AppleCare+, a battery below 80% of its original capacity is covered.

   General›Time Machine

Still not fixed?

1. Look for signs of a swollen battery: the case bulging, the trackpad hard to click, or the lid not closing flat. If you see any, stop using the Mac, unplug it and get it serviced soon.

2. If the message appeared right after an update and Maximum Capacity still looks high, install any newer macOS update and restart, then check Battery Health again.

   General›Software Update

3. For a battery that drains fast but still says Normal, check which apps use the most power with Activity Monitor's Energy tab before blaming the battery.

   Activity Monitor›Energy

4. Service Recommended is a hardware issue that only a new battery fixes. Contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for a replacement, and ask for a quote first if you're out of warranty.