Introduction
Ensuring your MacBook is charging correctly is crucial to avoid battery issues and maintain efficient usage.

Whether you have a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, recognizing the signs of charging will keep your device running smoothly. In this blog post, we’ll explore several ways to confirm that your MacBook is charging, whether you’re using a MagSafe or USB-C power adapter.

1. Check the Battery Icon in the Menu Bar

One of the easiest ways to tell if your MacBook is charging is by checking the battery icon in the upper-right corner of your screen. If your MacBook is connected to power and charging, you’ll notice a lightning bolt symbol inside the battery icon. This indicates that the battery is currently receiving power.

• Battery Percentage: Click on the battery icon to see detailed information, including the percentage of charge and an estimate of time until the battery is fully charged.

2. Look at the MagSafe Charging Indicator

If you have an older MacBook that uses a MagSafe power adapter, the LED on the connector will display your charging status.

• Amber/Orange Light: The battery is currently charging.
• Green Light: The battery is fully charged.

The MagSafe connector is magnetic, making it easy to attach and detach, and the LED gives you an immediate visual indication of your MacBook’s charging status.

3. USB-C Charging for Newer MacBooks

If your MacBook uses a USB-C charger (MacBook Pro 2016 or later, MacBook Air 2018 or later), the charging status is slightly different.

Unlike MagSafe, USB-C doesn’t have an external LED indicator. However, the battery icon in the menu bar will still show a lightning bolt when connected to a power source.

• You can also check System Preferences > Battery (or Energy Saver on older macOS versions) to view detailed charging information and battery health.

4. Charging Notification on Screen

When you first plug in your MacBook, you might see a charging notification pop up on your screen, indicating that power is being delivered to the device.

If you don’t see this notification, it’s a good idea to double-check the connection or the adapter to ensure everything is functioning properly.

5. Battery Indicator Light (Some Models)

On some older MacBook models, you can press a small button on the side of the device (near the battery indicator) to see the charge level.

A series of green lights will appear, indicating how much charge is left. If no lights appear, the battery is critically low, or the MacBook isn’t charging.

6. Check System Preferences for Detailed Battery Information

Another way to verify if your MacBook is charging is through System Preferences:

1. Go to System Preferences > Battery (or Energy Saver).
2. You’ll see a detailed overview of your battery status, including whether it is Charging or Not Charging.
3. This menu also gives insights into battery health, providing important tips if your battery isn’t performing optimally.

7. Using a Third-Party App to Monitor Battery Health

For users who want even more detailed information, third-party apps like CoconutBattery or iStat Menus can help. These apps provide real-time data on your MacBook’s charging status, battery health, and even the current charging speed.

Conclusion

There are multiple ways to check if your MacBook is charging, from visual cues like the MagSafe LED to digital indicators such as the battery icon or System Preferences. By paying attention to these signs, you can ensure your device is charging correctly, keeping it ready for use when you need it most.

Whether you’re using the newer USB-C models or the older MagSafe connectors, always double-check that your charger is plugged in properly, and if needed, test another power outlet to rule out issues with the power source.