Show Hide Battery Percentage on macOS Big Sur
To show or hide the battery percentage in the menu bar on macOS Big Sur, open System Preferences, go to Dock & Menu Bar, select Battery, and check or uncheck the box next to “Show Percentage.” This setting is per display and applies immediately.
Background: The Battery Menu in macOS Big Sur
macOS Big Sur (version 11) introduced a redesigned menu bar and Control Center, which changed how battery information is displayed. Prior to Big Sur, the battery percentage was always visible next to the battery icon when enabled in Energy Saver preferences. In Big Sur, Apple moved the battery settings to the Dock & Menu Bar pane and added a separate Control Center module. The percentage can now be shown either in the menu bar itself, inside the Control Center battery tile, or both. This flexibility is useful for users who want a cleaner menu bar but still need quick access to the exact charge level.
How the Setting Works
The battery percentage toggle in Big Sur controls a small text label (like “82%”) that appears next to the battery icon in the menu bar. When enabled, the percentage is always visible, not just when you click the battery icon. When disabled, you can still see the percentage by clicking the battery icon or opening Control Center. The setting is stored per user account, so changing it on one Mac user account does not affect another. It also applies to both built-in batteries (MacBooks) and external displays with built-in batteries, such as some third-party monitors.
Step-by-Step: Show or Hide Battery Percentage
- Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select System Preferences.
- Click Dock & Menu Bar.
- In the left sidebar, scroll down and select Battery.
- On the right, find the Show Percentage checkbox.
- Check the box to show the percentage; uncheck it to hide.
That’s it. The change takes effect instantly, with no need to restart or log out.
Alternative Method: Control Center
Big Sur also lets you control the battery percentage from the Control Center, which is the toggle in the menu bar that looks like two switches. Click the Control Center icon, then click the battery icon in the bottom-left of the popover. You’ll see a small percentage toggle at the top of the battery section. Clicking it toggles the same setting as the Dock & Menu Bar preference. This is a handy shortcut if you want to quickly switch without digging into System Preferences.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
Some users report that the “Show Percentage” checkbox is grayed out or missing. This usually happens on Macs with a notch (like the 2021 MacBook Pro) where the menu bar is crowded, or when using a scaled display resolution. In such cases, the percentage may still be visible in Control Center even if the menu bar toggle is unavailable. Another misconception is that hiding the percentage saves battery life; in reality, the percentage label has a negligible effect on battery drain. The battery icon itself already reflects the charge level, and the percentage is just a text overlay.
Comparison with Earlier macOS Versions
In macOS Catalina and earlier, the battery percentage was toggled from the Energy Saver preferences, and it always appeared next to the battery icon. Big Sur’s move to Dock & Menu Bar made the setting more discoverable and aligned with the new Control Center design. Some users found the change confusing because the old location no longer exists. If you’re upgrading from an older version, you might look for the setting in Energy Saver first; it’s now in Dock & Menu Bar.
Tips for Managing Battery Display
- If you want a minimal menu bar, hide the percentage and rely on Control Center for exact numbers.
- If you often need to monitor battery drain (e.g., while on battery power), keep the percentage visible to avoid extra clicks.
- The battery icon color changes (green, yellow, red) based on charge level, so you can still get a quick visual cue even without the percentage.
- You can also set the menu bar to automatically hide and show, which gives you more space when the percentage is visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find the Battery option in Dock & Menu Bar?
The Battery option appears only on Macs with a battery, such as MacBooks. If you’re using a desktop Mac like an iMac or Mac mini, the Battery option may not appear because there is no internal battery. However, some external displays with batteries might show it. If you’re on a MacBook and don’t see it, make sure you’re running Big Sur (11) or later.
Does showing the battery percentage slow down my Mac?
No. The percentage is just a text label rendered by the system; it uses an insignificant amount of processing power. You won’t notice any performance difference.
Can I show the percentage only when the Mac is on battery power?
No, macOS does not offer a built-in option to show the percentage only when unplugged. The setting is either on or off regardless of power source. Third-party apps can do this, but they are not part of macOS.
How do I reset the battery percentage setting if it’s stuck?
Try toggling the checkbox off and on again. If that doesn’t work, restart your Mac. If the issue persists, check if you have any third-party menu bar apps that might be interfering. Resetting NVRAM (on Intel Macs) can also help, but it’s rarely needed.
Does the percentage show in the Control Center even if I hide it in the menu bar?
Yes. The Control Center battery tile always shows the percentage if you hover over it, and you can enable a persistent percentage inside the Control Center popover by clicking the battery icon and toggling “Show Percentage” there. That setting is separate from the menu bar one.
Will the battery percentage display on an external monitor?
If the external monitor has its own battery (like some portable displays), it may appear in the menu bar with its own percentage. For a standard monitor, the battery percentage shown is for your Mac’s battery, and it will appear on whichever display holds the menu bar.
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