Aside from the greatly improved Messages app with new features like a customizable control center, iMessage effects, and Memoji, what stands out most about macOS Big Sur is a host of new battery settings. They’re well thought out and can go a long way in improving macOS 11’s battery life. If you want to give them a shot, follow along to learn how to use the new battery settings to improve battery life in macOS Big Sur. .
Customize New Battery Settings to Improve Battery Life in macOS Big Sur
For a change, Apple has replaced the “Energy Saver” section of System Preferences with a super useful “Battery” section designed to support macOS’ battery reporting capability. Not only have the old Energy Saver features been slightly modified, some new features like Usage History and Timely Display also let you control how the battery is performing.
Specifically, clicking the battery icon now displays an estimate of the remaining battery life; this is a feature that Apple accidentally rolled back in macOS Sierra in 2016. Although the tech giant has somewhat hidden the battery percentage in macOS Big Sur, there is a way to figure it out.
Quick Links to Topics Covered Below
- Track Remaining Battery Time Estimate
- How to Check Battery Usage History in macOS Big Sur
- Customize Battery Preferences to Extend Battery Life on Your Mac
- Customize Power Adapter Preference to Save Battery
- Schedule Your Mac to Start or Wake
- Show Battery Percentage in Menu Bar
Track Remaining Battery Time Estimate
Unlike before, you can track the remaining battery time estimate directly from the battery icon in the menu bar. Simply click on the battery icon placed in the menu bar. A contextual menu will now open showing the remaining battery time estimate along with other useful information such as the important battery draining app on your Mac.
If your device is consuming a lot of battery, this app may be playing games. Therefore, taking control can play a vital role in extending the battery life of your macOS 11 device.
Note: If you click the battery icon while it’s plugged in, it will show you the estimated time remaining until your Mac is fully charged.
How to Check Battery Usage History in macOS Big Sur
macOS 11 shows battery usage history to let you know how the battery is performing. It can be really handy to give you a better insight when you want to get to the root cause of the battery draining issue on your Mac.
1. click on battery icon select it in the menu bar and Battery Preferences. (alternatively, go to System Preferences -> Battery)
2. Now, click Usage History in the sidebar.
3. Then check the energy usage for the last 24 hours. If you want to know the battery usage history for the past week, click it. Last 10 days tab.
Currently, it doesn’t offer a detailed breakdown of which apps use the battery the most, like the battery section of iOS. Since macOS 11 is still in beta, I hope Apple adds the detailed summary later.
Note:
- It’s worth noting that the battery preference pane displays Screen On Time, which can help you keep track of your device usage.
- This preference is also displayed when your Mac has 100% charge.
Customize Battery Preferences to Extend Battery Life on Your Mac
You can fine-tune battery preferences according to your needs to reduce unnecessary power consumption.
1. click on battery icon appearing in the menu bar -> Battery Preferences.
2. Now, click battery in the sidebar.
3. Next, here are four ways to increase the battery life of your macOS device.
Show Battery Status in Menu Bar: If you want to monitor your Mac’s battery status directly from the menu bar, make sure the Show Battery Status in Menu Bar box is checked.
Turn Off Screen: It is always recommended to keep the auto-lock time shorter. Anything between 1-5 minutes of auto-lock is considered good. So make sure you keep it as short as possible.
Dim Screen Slightly On Battery Power: Make sure to tick the box if you want to extend the battery life of your macOS 11 device by cutting out all the unnecessary stuff. While it may seem like something too small to be taken seriously, features like this can eventually come in quite handy in conserving the device’s power.
Enable Power Nap on Battery Power: This is another pretty well thought out way to conserve the battery of your macOS device. Note that your Mac can regularly check for new email, calendar, and other iCloud photos while in sleep mode.
Customize Power Adapter Preference to Save Battery
Another way to increase your Mac’s battery life is to take control of power adapter preferences.
- go to: battery icon in menu bar -> Battery Preferences.
2. Now, click power adapter in the sidebar and then customize its settings according to your needs.
Show battery status in menu bar: It can play a useful role in allowing you to track the status of the battery.
Turn Off Screen: It allows you to set your Mac’s auto-lock. Use the drag handle to move the slider left/right to adjust. The minimum is 1 minute and the maximum is 3 hours.
Wake for Network Access: Check this box to make your computer wake for network access.
Enable Power Nap While Plugged into a Power Adapter: Check this box to have your Mac go to sleep when plugged into a power adapter. Note that your Mac can back up using Time Machine and periodically check for things like calendar, iCloud updates, and email.
Schedule Your Mac to Start or Wake
There’s also the option to schedule your Mac to start or wake up at a preferred time. The scheduling feature can be of great help if you want your device to be ready for you at a certain time and automatically go to sleep when you are not using it.
1. Shoot battery icon in menu bar -> Battery Preferences.
2. Now, click Calendar in the sidebar and then fine-tune it for both start up and wake up to your needs.
Show Battery Percentage in Menu Bar
Apple has somewhat hidden the battery percentage in macOS Big Sur. As a change, it is no longer in the context menu of the battery icon. So how do you get it back? Well, you should go there System Preferences -> Dock and Menu Bar -> Battery. Now check the Show Percentage box. From now on, the battery percentage will start appearing in the menu bar.
Tips for Increasing Battery Life in macOS 11
Here are ways to get the most out of the new battery settings to maximize battery life in macOS 11. If used flawlessly, they can play an important role in reducing unnecessary power consumption on Mac. As someone who hates running into battery drain issues, I found this feature quite helpful.
Since we’re talking about ways to improve battery on macOS, I recommend you also check out our guides on how to monitor CPU temperature and disable Turbo Boost, which plays a key role in improving battery life. And before we finish, share your thoughts on these new battery settings and what makes them so useful.
