Apple is bringing a long-requested battery feature to the Mac. With macOS Tahoe 26.4 beta, users can now set a maximum charging limit, similar to what iPhone users have had since the iPhone 15 lineup launched in 2023.
This gives Mac users direct control over how high their battery charges, which can help preserve long-term battery health.
What’s new: Manual charge limit control
Inside System Settings, Apple has added a Charge Limit slider that allows you to choose a maximum battery level:
- 80%
- 85%
- 90%
- 95%
- 100%
Unlike Optimized Battery Charging, this is a fixed cap. If you select 80%, your Mac will stop charging once it reaches that level.
You can find it here: System Settings > Battery > Charging > “i” button
How it’s different from optimized battery charging
Macs already include Optimized Battery Charging, which learns your daily routine and delays charging past 80% until it predicts you will need a full charge.
However, Optimized Charging still allows the battery to reach 100% regularly.
The new Charge Limit feature is different because:
- It does not rely on usage patterns
- It enforces a hard ceiling
- It gives users full manual control
If you prefer keeping your Mac plugged in most of the time, setting an 80% cap can reduce battery wear over time.
Why this matters for battery health
Lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when frequently held at 100%. By limiting charging to 80% or 85%, you reduce voltage stress and heat exposure.
For users who primarily work at a desk:
- An 80% cap can extend battery lifespan
- It may delay noticeable battery health decline
- It reduces long-term replacement risk
For users who travel often, keeping it at 100% may still make sense. The key advantage here is choice.
Feature parity with iPhone
Apple first introduced charge limits with the iPhone 15 series in 2023. Now, macOS Tahoe 26.4 brings similar flexibility to the Mac ecosystem.
This update signals Apple’s broader push toward:
- User-controlled battery management
- Longer device longevity
- Better long-term hardware sustainability
Availability
The Charge Limit feature is currently available in the macOS Tahoe 26.4 beta. A public release is expected later this spring.
