Apple’s latest macOS update brings a few small but meaningful changes to the MacBook lineup. One of the most notable additions is the Charge Limit feature, which lets you cap charging between 80 and 100% to preserve long-term battery health. But that’s not the only new charging-related tweak in the new release.
What else is new in macOS 26.4?
According to 9to5Mac, macOS 26.4 also introduces a new “Slow Charger” indicator that appears when your MacBook is connected to a power adapter that isn’t delivering enough wattage. The warning shows up in the battery status menu and in battery settings, making it easy to spot when something isn’t right with your charging setup.
Windows laptops have had this figured out for a while, but on a MacBook, slow charging hasn’t always been this easy to diagnose. You could be using a low-wattage adapter, a non-certified cable, or even a USB-C hub that limits power delivery, with no clear system-level warning to point to the issue. The new indicator eliminates all guesswork, alerting you when your charging isn’t meeting the required power levels.
What to do if you see the “Slow Charger” warning on your Mac
Apple’s support document notes that “Slow Charger” will appear in the battery menu and above the battery level graph in settings when macOS detects insufficient power delivery. If you see this warning on your Mac after installing the latest update, Apple recommends switching to a charger and cable that meet the minimum wattage requirements for your specific model. You can check those charger specifications on Apple’s website.
The Slow Charger indicator may not be a massive upgrade, but it’s a welcome addition that should make diagnosing charging issues far more straightforward.
