How To Fix macOS Sequoia battery drain

If you’ve noticed that your MacBook’s battery is draining faster after upgrading to macOS Sequoia, this guide will help you optimize your device’s battery life step by step. Follow these practical and easy-to-execute solutions to fix battery drain issues and get more hours out of your Mac.

Step 1: Close Unnecessary Apps and Browser Tabs

Quit all unused apps and especially close browser tabs you don’t need. Third-party browsers often consume more power because they may not comply fully with macOS’s sleep mode, causing battery drain even when your Mac is asleep. Safari is better integrated and more energy-efficient, so prefer it if possible.

Step 2: Free Up RAM

Too many apps running simultaneously use excessive RAM, forcing your MacBook’s CPU to work harder and consume more battery.

  • Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities.

  • In the Memory tab, identify and quit apps using the most memory unnecessarily by selecting them and clicking the [X] button.

This reduces CPU load and extends battery life.

Step 3: Adjust Screen Brightness

The display is one of the most power-hungry components.

  • Go to System Settings > Displays.

  • Lower the screen brightness to a comfortable level using the slider or keyboard keys to conserve battery power.

Step 4: Enable Low Power Mode

macOS Sequoia has a built-in Low Power Mode that reduces system resource usage.

  • Navigate to System Settings > Battery.

  • Turn on Low Power Mode, preferably selecting the option to enable it only when on battery.

This slows down background activities and optimizes energy consumption.

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Step 5: Manage Sleep Settings and Enable Hibernation

Battery drainage can happen while your Mac is asleep if background activities continue running.

  • Quit browsers and heavy apps before closing the lid.

  • In System Settings > Battery, set Wake for Network Access to Never.

  • Enable hibernation mode for deeper sleep that uses even less power:

    • Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.

    • Type: sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 25 and press Return.

    • Exit Terminal.

Note that waking from hibernation might be slightly slower but it greatly conserves battery during sleep.

Step 6: Check for Software Updates

Battery issues might be fixed through system or app updates.

  • Open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.

  • If updates are available, install them to benefit from bug fixes and optimizations specifically targeting battery usage.

Step 7: Review Battery Health and Optimize Settings

Battery aging can also cause rapid drain.

  • Go to Apple menu > System Settings > Battery > Battery Health.

  • If the status reads “Service Recommended”, consider a battery replacement.

  • In Battery Options, enable:

    • Put hard disks to sleep when possible.

    • Optimize video usage to reduce battery consumption.

Step 8: Disable Unnecessary Login Items and Background Extensions

Too many apps launching at startup and excessive background extensions increase CPU load.

  • Go to System Settings > General > Login Items.

  • Remove any unnecessary apps from this list.

  • Check browser and system extensions and disable those you don’t use to save energy.

Step 9: Reduce Motion and Use Static Desktop Backgrounds

Visual effects can strain graphics processors, draining battery.

  • Go to System Settings > Accessibility > Display and enable Reduce Motion.

  • Set a static desktop wallpaper instead of dynamic ones.

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Step 10: Restart Your Mac Regularly

Restarting frees RAM and resets ongoing processes, often fixing temporary glitches causing battery drain. Aim to restart at least once a week or whenever you notice performance drops.

Step 11: Reinstall macOS Sequoia

If the problem persists despite all optimizations:

  • Back up your data using Time Machine or another method.

  • Reinstall macOS Sequoia through Recovery Mode to fix any corrupted system files causing excessive battery use.

Step 12: Consider Downgrading macOS

If battery performance severely worsened post-upgrade, you might want to downgrade to macOS Sonoma, where battery life was more stable.

  • This involves erasing your startup disk and installing an older macOS version from a bootable installer.

  • Make sure to back up all important data first.

Step 13: Seek Professional Support

If battery drain continues even after software fixes and hardware checks, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. It may indicate a faulty battery or hardware issue needing professional diagnosis and possibly battery replacement.

Following these steps will help you fix battery drain issues on macOS Sequoia and get your MacBook running efficiently again with longer-lasting battery life.