Within the Battery menu bar extra in Mac OS X v10.6, you may see one of these messages:
- Replace Soon
- Replace Now
- Service Battery
About "Replace Soon"
If you see "Replace Soon" in the Battery menu, the battery may still be usable and hold some charge, however, you might consider battery replacement. If the battery in the Mac notebook is removable, try removing and reseating it. Make sure the power cord is connected to your computer and a power outlet. If the battery is not removable, it may be necessary to reset the System Management Controller (SMC).
If "Replace Soon" continues to appear after reseating the battery or resetting the SMC, consider replacing the battery or taking the computer to an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
About "Replace Now" and "Service Battery"
If a Mac notebook's battery is unable to hold a charge for long (or at all), the Battery menu will display either a "Replace Now" or "Service Battery" alert. If you see this, and if the battery in the Mac notebook is removable, try removing and reseating it. Make sure the power cord is connected to your computer and a power outlet. If the battery is not removable, it may be necessary to reset the System Management Controller (SMC).
Your Mac notebook's battery may need to be inspected and/or replaced if the issue persists.
Learn more
To learn more about Apple battery technology and read helpful tips about maximizing your Mac notebook's battery, click here.