betterbattery.org

What it is

BetterBattery is a free battery longevity management setup for Apple Silicon MacBooks. It is not just a simple menu bar app; instead, it combines the open-source command-line tool batt, Homebrew, zsh scripts, launchd, and macOS Shortcuts to create “Desk Mode” and “Mobile Mode.” Desk Mode keeps the battery in a lower-stress range of 70% or 80%, while Mobile Mode restores charging to 100% with one click, making it suitable for topping up before heading out.

Core features

Functionally, it addresses the issue of MacBooks staying plugged in for long periods, which keeps the battery at a high-voltage state. The setup configures batt charging limits and provides a toggle script, a menu bar shortcut, a Shift+Command+B hotkey, and an automatic discharge monitor that runs every 60 seconds. The documentation also explains behaviors such as MagSafe green/amber lights, the lightning icon in the menu bar, small battery fluctuations between 68%–70%, and the possibility of charging to 100% after shutdown. Supported devices are clearly listed as Apple Silicon M1–M4; Intel Mac users are advised to use AlDente instead.

Pricing and openness

The website marks it as Free. The core tool, batt, is described as free and open source, with no ads, no telemetry, local-only operation, and no internet connection required. However, it is not stated whether the BetterBattery website or a future app will be open source. The BetterBattery app is currently only “coming soon,” with no pricing information available. There is no formal API/SDK layer; integration is mainly handled through the CLI, shell scripts, launchd, and macOS automation.

Pros and cons

Its strengths are that it is free, transparent, and built on auditable dependencies. It is also more flexible than Apple’s native charging limits, allowing caps below 80% such as 70%, and it makes it easy to switch between desk and travel scenarios. The downside is that the current setup chain is relatively long, involving Homebrew, sudo services, scripts, plist files, hotkey registration, and other steps. Although Claude can be used to guide the process or even run commands, it may still feel intimidating for non-technical users. In addition, batt does not run while the Mac is shut down, so the hardware may still charge to 100%; the monitoring script can only bring it back down after the Mac wakes.

Who it’s for and access from China

It is best suited to MacBook users who spend long periods working with an external monitor, dock, and charger, especially developers and heavy office users. It is not suitable for Intel Macs or users who do not want to use the terminal. The article does not provide information about access or payments from China, so this remains unknown. Alternatives include AlDente, macOS’s native Charge Limit/Optimized Battery Charging, and battery management tools provided by PC manufacturers.