macOS Tahoe 26.4 Adds Slow Charger Indicator for MacBooks

macOS Tahoe 26.4 includes a new slow charger indicator that tells MacBook users when their charging setup isn't delivering full power.



As described in an updated Apple support document ('https://support.apple.com/en-us/102397'), a "Slow Charger" label now appears in orange text in the battery status menu and above the Battery Level graph in Battery settings. The indicator is accompanied by an info button for more details.

Apple says that to charge more quickly, users should use a power adapter and cable that deliver at least the minimum wattage recommended for their MacBook model ('https://support.apple.com/en-us/109509').

The feature is similar to one Apple added to iPhone with iOS 18 ('https://www.geekwebguides.com/2024/06/11/ios-18-slow-charger-battery-settings/'), where periods of slow charging appear as an orange bar in the Battery section of the Settings app.

The slow charger indicator is one of two battery-related changes in macOS 26.4. The update also adds a Charge Limit feature ('https://www.geekwebguides.com/2026/02/16/mac-charge-limit-macos-tahoe-26-4/') that lets MacBook users set a maximum charge level anywhere from 80 to 100 percent, with the aim of preserving long-term battery health.

macOS Tahoe 26.4 is available now via System Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update.

Article Link: macOS Tahoe 26.4 Adds Slow Charger Indicator for MacBooks ('https://www.geekwebguides.com/2026/03/25/macos-tahoe-26-4-slow-charger-macbooks/')

I wish MagSafe would turn green once it’s hit the desired charge limit, rather than staying orange.

Why did Apple hide setting the charge level action behind the information button ?? Also, setting mine to 80% was my first encounter with the "glass" slider control. Do not care so to criticize too much about Liquid Glass or 26 overall (run with transparency down and contrast up). However, the way the slider control turns to this transparent, barely visible, glass object really threw me at first. Very, very unintuitive. Hiding the battery level charger set-level action in an information dialog, though, is the worst UI decision I can recall. The slider button... sort of the cherry on top of the cake. Is this Craig's cake?? Who owns these decisions?? HTH, NSC

Nice feature. I just wish Apple did a better job of not burying features behind menus and make it more intuitive where things are.

the worst UI decision I can recall

IMO not as bad as the ENTIRE settings panel being a narrow, iOSified joke. Many UI sacrifices made for no apparent gains other than "it feels new cause it's different".

Ironically, it also has a “garbage interface” indicator…

Known as liquid glass

Where can I set the maximum charge level? I have an M4 MacBook Air and don't see anything relevant under System Settings > Battery under the new update.

i'm on the same macbook, if it helps i went to battery in settings and clicked on the little info symbol by charging, this is what showed for me