Optimized battery charging doesn't appear to be optimizing anything

Question:  Would appreciate if someone could explain under what circumstances “optimized battery charging” decides to hold the battery at 80% when on the charger, and when it decides to hold at 100%.  What are the basic rules "optimized battery charging" considers when it “learns from your daily charging routine"? The “optimized battery charging box” in preferences has been consistently checked/never unchecked.  The computer has a M1Pro chip, and always has had the latest Monterrey version.


Background:  During the first few months I had this computer, it seems like the charging would work as it should: frequently hold the battery at 80% (with the charger light showing orange) if I was working with the charger for an extended period.  More recently, it seems to always go straight to 100% and stays there, even if I am working on the computer for several consecutive days with the charger.  


This behavior causes me to wonder if this feature is currently functioning correctly on my computer.  I twice called Apple Support to ask what the general operating rules are supposed to be for this feature, so that I can determine whether it is working correctly.  They, including second level, have told me they don’t know how it should work, and therefore cannot tell me if it is or is not working properly, which is absurd. They said that Apple hasn’t shared this information with them.


I noted in these support pages that some users indicated a similar problem following the 12.3.1 update in April or so. I don’t recall if my problem started then, or perhaps a little before or after this. Apple also sent me a replacement battery charging cable this past June. I don't recall the battery optimizing holding at 80% since receiving this new cable, but also don't recall for sure whether this problem started before the cable change.


Help requested, please!

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 12.5

Posted on Aug 3, 2022 12:47 PM

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Aug 3, 2022 01:06 PM in response to LeftoverUserName

When you power down your computer, you can expect it to back to 100%, then after a day or so, back down to the optimized battery charging level you expect. That has at least been my experience. Otherwise, I don't honestly pay much attention to it. I got my MBP in April and now in August, it says it's at a battery count of 8 full cycle charges. At this rate, the battery will last a long time. MBP batteries are rated to hold up to 80% charge for 1000 full cycle charges.

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Optimized battery charging doesn't appear to be optimizing anything

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