A battery level you can read immediately
A small battery icon gives you a general impression of charge. A number such as 73% is easier to read precisely while you work. BatteryCountdown offers an optional percentage display in the Mac menu bar, so you can check the charge without opening the app’s dropdown or interrupting what you are doing.
This is useful when you move between meetings, work away from a socket, or want to decide whether to bring a charger. After the initial setup, simply look at the top of your screen. You can still click the menu bar item whenever you want the app’s settings or more battery information.
How to enable battery percentage in BatteryCountdown
- Download BatteryCountdown from the Mac App Store and open the app.
- Open the app’s settings and find the Menu Bar section.
- Keep the idle menu bar item visible: turn off “Hide menu bar icon” if it is enabled.
- Turn on “Replace menu bar icon with battery percentage.”
- Return to your work. The percentage appears in the menu bar whenever the app would normally show its idle icon.
Percentage for everyday use, time when battery is low
The percentage helps you follow the battery throughout the day. The countdown answers a different question: roughly how much time is left before low battery may shut down your Mac? BatteryCountdown combines these two views in one menu bar item.
When the battery reaches your chosen countdown threshold, the time display takes priority. That means enabling the percentage does not remove the app’s low battery warning. You see charge during normal use and the countdown when the warning becomes active.
Percentage and remaining time are different measurements. A given percentage does not guarantee a fixed number of minutes: your workload and the battery’s condition affect runtime. Treat the countdown as an estimate and save your work before you run out of power.
Choose the view that suits you
- Use the optional percentage instead of BatteryCountdown’s idle icon.
- Keep the idle menu bar item visible if you want to check your charge throughout the day.
- Choose a low battery countdown threshold between 1% and 20% independently of the percentage display.
- Enable Open at Login if you want the app to start after you sign in.
- The percentage option is included in BatteryCountdown; it does not require the optional Charger Run Mode unlock.
Questions about the menu bar percentage
Do I have to click to see my battery percentage?
Only for the initial setup. With the option enabled and the idle menu bar item visible, you can read the percentage directly in the menu bar during normal use.
Can I keep the low battery countdown?
Yes. When your countdown is active, it takes priority over the idle percentage display.
Is this a separate purchase?
No. The percentage display is part of BatteryCountdown. Charger Run Mode is a separate optional unlock and is not needed for this feature.
Can I return to the app icon?
Yes. Turn off “Replace menu bar icon with battery percentage” in the app’s settings.