It’s a familiar feeling for any MacBook user: you’re deep in your work, a deadline is looming, and you glance at the top-right corner of your screen.
All you see is a vague battery icon, giving you a rough idea but no real certainty. You’re left wondering exactly how much battery life is left.
Fortunately, there’s a simple fix to show the battery percentage right in your menu bar. This guide will walk you through the easy steps for any version of macOS, whether you’re on a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro.
We’ll cover everything from the newer Control Center in recent macOS versions like Ventura to the System Preferences of older systems like Big Sur, ensuring you can always see your battery status at a glance.
Knowing how to show percentage next to the icon is a small tweak that gives you complete control over your power management.
01
of 07Why Showing Your MacBook Battery Percentage Is a Game-Changer
Let’s be honest, the default battery icon on a Mac is minimalistic and clean, but it’s not very informative.
It gives you a visual approximation of your remaining charge, but it can be hard to tell if you have 40% left or just 25%—a difference that could mean finishing your presentation or having your screen go black mid-sentence.
When you show the battery percentage, you remove all the guesswork.
You get a precise, numerical value of your battery life, which is crucial for effective time management.
This allows you to monitor your battery with accuracy and make informed decisions about when you need to plug in your power adapter.
Knowing the exact battery percentage helps you understand your device’s power consumption patterns better.
02
of 07How to Show Battery Percentage on MacBook (macOS Ventura & Sonoma)
If you’re using a newer version of macOS, such as Ventura or Sonoma, Apple has streamlined the process of customizing your menu bar through the System Settings and Control Center.
The steps are straightforward and let you display the battery percentage in just a few clicks. This is the most common method for anyone with a recently updated MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.
Here’s the step-by-step process:
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
Select System Settings from the dropdown menu.
In the System Settings window, scroll down the left-hand sidebar and click on Control Center.
Inside the Control Center settings, scroll down until you find the “Other Control Center Modules” section. You’ll see an option for Battery.
Here, you’ll find a toggle for “Show in Menu Bar” and another for “Show Percentage”.
Make sure “Show in Menu Bar” is turned on to see the battery icon.
Crucially, turn on the toggle for “Show Percentage”.
The moment you enable this setting, you’ll see the battery level percentage appear right next to the battery icon in your menu bar.
This change is instant, providing you with the clarity you need to monitor your battery effectively. It’s a simple toggle that makes a world of difference.
This is a much more intuitive system than in older macOS versions. The ability to manage what appears in the menu bar and the Control Centre from one central location simplifies customization.
You no longer have to hunt through different preference panes to get your Mac set up just the way you like it.
03
of 07Displaying the Battery Percentage on macOS Monterey & Big Sur
For those running slightly older but still very popular versions of the operating system, like macOS Monterey or macOS Big Sur, the process is a little different.
Instead of “System Settings,” you’ll be using the classic System Preferences. The philosophy is the same, but the location of the setting has been moved in newer updates.
Knowing how to show the battery percentage on these systems is just as important, especially since many users prefer to stick with a stable OS they’re familiar with.
Here’s how to do it on macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur:
Click the Apple menu icon in the top-left corner.
Select System Preferences from the menu.
Find and click on “Dock & Menu Bar”.
In the new window, scroll down the left-hand sidebar until you find “Other Control Center Modules.”
Click on Battery.
On the right side of the window, you’ll see a few checkboxes. Tick the box next to “Show in Menu Bar” to ensure the battery icon is visible.
Next, and most importantly, tick the box next to “Show Percentage”.
As soon as you check the box, the percentage next to the icon will appear in your menu bar.
This gives you an immediate and accurate reading of your Mac’s battery percentage. Many users found this method on Big Sur and Monterey to be a significant improvement over even older systems.
The change was part of Apple’s move toward the Control Center, which aimed to bring a more iOS-like experience to the Mac.
Even in these transitional operating systems, the control you have over the menu bar is substantial. It’s all about making the battery status clear and accessible.
04
of 07Customizing Your Menu Bar: Beyond Just the Battery Percentage
Once you’ve figured out how to show battery percentage on your MacBook, you might realize the menu bar is a powerful tool for productivity that goes far beyond just displaying your battery level.
It’s your Mac’s command center, and you can tailor it to show exactly what you need, right when you need it. The battery icon is just the beginning.
When I first unboxed my current MacBook Pro, one of the very first things I did was dive into the settings to customize my digital workspace.
The default battery icon is sleek, but as someone who frequently works from cafes and co-working spaces, I can’t afford to guess how much battery life I have left.
When I enabled the show percentage option, the first thing I noticed was the immediate sense of calm it provided.
In my daily field tests and workflow, seeing that specific number allows me to perfectly plan my tasks and know precisely when I need to start looking for a power adapter, rather than being interrupted by a sudden “low battery” warning.
It’s a small detail that provides an immense amount of control.
You can use the same Control Center (in Ventura/Sonoma) or Dock & Menu Bar (in Monterey/Big Sur) settings to add other useful controls.
For instance, you can add toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and Focus modes directly to the menu bar for quick access.
This saves you from having to open System Settings or the full Control Centre every time you want to make a quick adjustment.
This level of customization allows you to create a workflow that is perfectly suited to your needs, keeping the most important information, like your Mac’s battery percentage, always in sight.
05
of 07Understanding Battery Health vs. Battery Percentage
It’s a common point of confusion, but your battery percentage and your battery health are two very different things.
Understanding the distinction is key to getting the most out of your MacBook battery in the long run. Having this knowledge will help you make your battery last longer and know when it might be time for a replacement.
The battery percentage that you now see in your menu bar is a real-time snapshot of the current charge level of your MacBook’s battery.
It tells you exactly how much power is currently stored, from 100% when fully charged down to 0%. This number is what you’ll monitor your battery with on a day-to-day basis to decide when to charge your Mac.
On the other hand, battery health refers to the long-term condition of your battery.
Over time, all rechargeable batteries degrade, and their maximum capacity diminishes. Battery health, expressed as a percentage, tells you your battery’s current maximum capacity relative to when it was new.
For example, a battery health of 85% means that when your MacBook shows a battery percentage of 100%, it’s holding 85% of the charge it could when it was brand new.
You can check your battery health in System Settings > Battery.
06
of 07Pro Tips to Make Your MacBook Battery Last Longer
Now that you can see your battery percentage on MacBook, you’re in a great position to actively manage your power and extend your battery life.
Seeing the battery level percentage drop can motivate you to adopt better habits. Here are some expert tips to help you squeeze every last minute out of a single charge on your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.
One of the best ways to conserve power is to manage your screen brightness.
The display is one of the most power-hungry components of your laptop, so dimming it even slightly can make a noticeable difference.
You can also check your battery usage stats to see which applications consume CPU cycles the most. To do this, go to System Settings > Battery.
Here, you’ll find detailed graphs of your battery level and usage over the last 24 hours or 10 days.
This battery tab shows you exactly which apps are draining your power, allowing you to close them when you’re not using them.
Also, check what apps are enabled in login items (System Settings > General > Login Items), as many of these run in the background and consume power without you realizing it.
By being mindful of these factors, you’ll not only see your battery last longer but also improve the long-term battery health of your MacBook.
FAQ
How to show the battery percentage on macOS?
To show the battery percentage on macOS, click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen. Select ‘System Preferences’, then click on ‘Battery’. In the Battery settings, check the box that says ‘Show Battery Status in Menu Bar’. This will display the battery percentage next to the battery icon in the menu bar.
Why can’t I see the battery percentage on my Mac?
If you can’t see the battery percentage on your Mac, it may be turned off by default. Follow the steps mentioned above to enable the option to show battery percentage on mac. Once enabled, you should be able to see the percentage next to the battery icon in the menu bar.
07
of 07How can I display battery usage on my Mac?
To display battery usage on your Mac, go to ‘System Preferences’ and click on ‘Battery’. Here, you can view details about your battery percentage on Mac and see how different apps are utilizing battery life. This will give you an idea of how much power each application consumes.
What does the battery percentage next to the icon in the menu bar indicate?
The battery percentage next to the icon in the menu bar indicates the current charge level of your MacBook’s battery. It provides a quick reference to see how much battery life you have left, allowing you to manage your power usage more effectively.
How does running apps on your Mac consume battery life?
Running apps on your Mac can consume CPU cycles, which in turn affects your battery life. Applications that require significant processing power or constant updates can drain your battery faster. Monitoring the battery usage in the Battery settings can help you identify which apps are consuming the most power.
Can I see a battery icon even when my Mac is plugged in?
Yes, you can see a battery icon in the menu bar even when your Mac is plugged in. This icon will change to indicate that your Mac is charging, and if you have enabled the option to show battery percentage on macOS, it will also display the percentage of battery life remaining.
How to manage battery percentage on Mac for better battery life?
To manage battery percentage on Mac for better battery life, regularly check the battery usage of your apps through the Battery settings. You can also adjust display brightness, turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use, and close unnecessary applications to extend your Mac’s battery life.
What is the idea of how much battery life I have left?
The battery percentage shown on your Mac gives you a clear idea of how much battery life you have left. This percentage helps you understand how much time you can continue to use your Mac before needing to recharge, allowing you to plan your activities accordingly.
