Ashwin Lewis
Many MacBook users have reported that their device's battery drains while in sleep mode. While it is expected for the battery to drain at a low rate in sleep mode, some users have reported excessive battery drain, with the battery being completely drained in a few days. This issue has been observed across various MacBook models, including the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook. There are several potential causes and solutions for this problem, including turning off features like Screen Time, Power Nap, and Bluetooth, as well as updating apps and the operating system to improve energy efficiency.
Does Sleep on Mac Use Battery?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep mode uses battery power | Yes, but at a lower rate than normal |
| Battery health | Check via System Settings > Battery |
| Fix | Turn off Screen Time in System Settings |
| Fix | Turn off Power Nap in System Settings |
| Fix | Turn off Bluetooth and WiFi |
| Fix | Update macOS and apps |
| Fix | Remove USB accessories |
| Fix | Check for malware |
| Fix | Shut down MacBook between uses |
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What You'll Learn
Sleep mode uses battery power at a lower rate than normal
Sleep mode on a Mac uses battery power at a lower rate than normal usage. However, some MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook users have reported issues with their computers draining battery power even when the Mac is sleeping and not in use.
There are several reasons why a Mac may be draining battery power in sleep mode. One reason could be that certain apps and MacBook features require background activity to function, and these processes consume battery power to run even when the Mac is sleeping. To address this, users can check what apps and processes are running in the background and turn off any that are using a significant amount of power.
Another reason for battery drain in sleep mode could be the Power Nap feature on Intel MacBooks, which allows background processes such as checking emails and making Time Machine backups to run while the MacBook is in sleep mode. Users can turn off the Power Nap feature in System Settings to conserve battery power.
Additionally, USB accessories and Bluetooth-connected devices can also drain MacBook battery power when connected, especially if they do not have their own power sources. To conserve battery power, users should unplug any external hard drives, keyboards, mice, and other USB accessories when they are not in use.
It is also important to keep apps and the operating system up to date, as updates often include energy efficiency improvements and fixes for battery-draining bugs. Users should also check for any malware that may be affecting battery life and remove it if found.
Overall, while sleep mode on a Mac does use battery power, it is at a lower rate than normal usage, and there are several steps users can take to minimise battery drain while in sleep mode.
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Background apps and processes can deplete the battery
Sleep mode uses battery power at a lower rate than normal. However, background apps and processes can deplete the battery. Certain apps and MacBook features require background activity to function, and these processes consume battery power to run even in sleep mode.
To check what apps and processes are running in the background, do a Spotlight Search (Command + Space). Click the % CPU column in Activity Monitor to sort the apps and processes. If you notice any processes using more than 60% of your CPU, it's best to close them. Simply click on the app to highlight it, then click the Stop (X) button at the top of the window to quit that app or process.
Some other ways to prevent background apps and processes from depleting your battery are:
- Turning off Screen Time in System Settings.
- Turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi before putting your Mac to sleep.
- Turning off Power Nap in System Settings.
- Unplugging USB accessories, especially those without their own power sources.
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USB accessories and Bluetooth devices can drain the battery
USB accessories and Bluetooth devices can drain your Mac's battery.
USB Accessories
USB accessories such as hubs, adapters, and dongles can drain your Mac's battery. This is because these accessories require power, and if your laptop is not plugged in, the power will come from your computer's battery. In addition, some USB cables draw more power than others, especially when using a USB-C device on a USB-A port. In this case, a non-compliant cable can drain more power than the port is rated for.
Bluetooth Devices
Bluetooth devices can also drain your Mac's battery. When Bluetooth has an active paired connection, it consumes power. While this power consumption is minimal, it can add up over time, especially if you have multiple Bluetooth devices connected.
To conserve battery life, it is recommended to disconnect any USB accessories and disable Bluetooth when they are not in use.
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Power Nap allows background processes to run in sleep mode
Users have reported that their MacBook battery drains while in sleep mode. Some users have noticed a battery drain of about 1% every two hours while in sleep mode, while others have reported a complete battery drain within three to five days.
To address this issue, users can try turning off "Screen Time" in System Settings, which has been reported to improve battery life. Additionally, turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth before putting the Mac to sleep can also help reduce battery drain.
It is important to note that certain background processes and apps can deplete the MacBook's battery power even in Sleep Mode. To check which apps and processes are running in the background, users can perform a Spotlight Search (Command + Space) and sort the apps and processes by their CPU usage. If any app or process is using more than 60% of the CPU, it is recommended to quit that app or process immediately.
One feature that allows background processes to run while the Mac is sleeping is Power Nap. Power Nap is a feature available on Intel-based Mac computers that allows the computer to periodically activate and update information while sleeping. This includes updating applications, performing Time Machine backups, and downloading software updates. It is important to note that Power Nap requires certain hardware specifications, including an SSD drive and a Mac Air or Pro manufactured since mid-2011.
In summary, while sleep mode on a Mac should generally not use a significant amount of battery power, there may be certain background processes or apps that contribute to battery drain. Power Nap is a feature that allows specific background processes to run while the Mac is sleeping, such as updating essential applications and downloading software updates. However, it is important to manage and quit any unnecessary background processes or apps that may be contributing to excessive battery drain.
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Malware can cause battery drain
While Apple's computers have historically been safe from computer viruses, some malware can wreak havoc on your laptop's battery. Malware, viruses, Trojans, adware, and other malicious agents can run parts of the software in the background, causing your MacBook's battery to drain even in sleep mode.
To check if your MacBook is infected with a virus, you can download a malware scanner or use CleanMyMac to check your Mac for malware. If malware is found, most scanners will provide options for removing it, similar to any other antivirus software for Mac.
In addition to malware, there are several other factors that can cause battery drain on your MacBook while in sleep mode. Outdated apps may drain the battery more than they should due to bugs, so it is important to keep your apps and macOS up to date to ensure energy efficiency improvements and fixes for battery-guzzling bugs. Background apps and processes can also deplete your MacBook's battery power, so it is a good idea to identify and quit any apps or processes that prevent your Mac from entering sleep mode.
Other potential causes of battery drain include USB accessories that are connected and do not have their own power sources, as well as Bluetooth-connected devices. To conserve battery life, it is recommended to unplug USB accessories and turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi before putting your MacBook to sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why your Mac may be draining battery in sleep mode. Firstly, certain apps and processes may be running in the background, consuming battery power. To check this, open the Activity Monitor app and look for any processes using more than 60% of your CPU. You can also try turning off features like "Power Nap", "Screen Time", "Hey Siri", and Bluetooth, which are known to cause battery drain during sleep mode. Additionally, USB accessories connected to your Mac can also drain the battery, especially if they don't have their own power source.
To fix battery drain issues in sleep mode, try the following:
- Update your apps and macOS to the latest versions to ensure energy efficiency improvements and bug fixes.
- Disable any unnecessary background apps or processes that may be consuming battery power.
- Turn off features like "Power Nap", "Screen Time", "Hey Siri", and Bluetooth, which are known to cause battery drain.
- Unplug any USB accessories that may be drawing power from your Mac.
- Check for malware or viruses using a malware scanner, as these can also drain your battery.
This depends on your usage patterns and personal preference. Sleep mode uses battery power at a lower rate than normal usage, and it allows you to quickly access your work when you open the lid again. However, over time, sleep mode will drain your battery. If you cannot charge your MacBook for extended periods, shutting it down between uses may be a better option to preserve battery life. Additionally, shutting down your MacBook every few days can help clear memory and apply software updates.
