AlDente 1.39.4 — macOS

Who is AlDente for?

Anyone who uses a MacBook plugged in most of the day, like office workers or students, will find AlDente useful.

What does AlDente do?

You set a target percentage, and the app stops charging when it reaches that point.

Which Macs does AlDente work with?

AlDente supports both Apple silicon and Intel MacBooks, covering ARM and 64-bit Intel architectures. It runs on macOS Monterey or later, so most recent MacBooks are covered.

What to expect after you install AlDente

AlDente is a lightweight utility, so it won't slow down your Mac or take up much space. The app needs to be running in the background to manage charging, so expect it to appear in your menu bar after every login unless you disable that in the app's preferences.

On first launch, macOS may ask you to grant AlDente permission to control your system. You'll also see a brief setup guide the first time you open the app. It walks you through the basics and asks you to set an initial charge limit.

Adjust these settings after initial setup

After the initial setup, open AlDente's preferences (click the menu bar icon and choose Preferences, or find it in the app menu). Here are the settings I recommend adjusting early on:

• You can always change it later.
• Heat protection — Turn this on. It's a set-and-forget feature.
• Sailing Mode — Enable this if your MacBook is plugged in for long stretches. The name comes from the idea of letting the charge level drift up and down like a sailboat on the water.
• Calibration Mode — You don't need this on day one. More on that below.

If you're unsure about any setting, leave it at the default. AlDente's defaults are sensible for most users.

Check model compatibility before installing

AlDente takes a more direct approach by letting you set a hard limit. That way, AlDente has full control over the charge level.

Does AlDente work with all MacBook models?
It works with most Apple silicon and Intel MacBooks running macOS Monterey or later. The developer's documentation lists compatible models, so it's worth checking if you have an unusual or very old MacBook.

It doesn't modify hardware or bypass safety protections.

Do I need to keep AlDente running all the time?
Yes, the app needs to be active to enforce your charge limit. If you quit it, the MacBook will resume normal charging behavior. You can set it to launch automatically at login so you don't have to think about it.

Can I use AlDente on a desktop Mac like a Mac mini or iMac?
AlDente is designed for MacBooks with built-in batteries. Stick to the MacBook version.

What to watch for in your first few days

Give yourself a few days to get used to AlDente. Here's what to watch for:

• Check the menu bar icon regularly — It shows your current charge level and whether charging is active or paused.
• Don't obsess over the percentage — A few percent above or below your limit is normal. AlDente does its best to hold the line, but you may see it drift by 1-2%.
• Test Sailing Mode for a full workday — If you're plugged in all day, enable Sailing Mode and see how it behaves. It's a good way to reduce time spent at high charge without manually adjusting the limit.
• Start it when you don't need the laptop for several hours. The app will guide you through the process.
• Keep an eye on heat — If you use your MacBook on your lap or in a warm room, heat protection is your friend. It may pause charging more often in summer. That's fine.

Step-by-step setup for a desk-bound MacBook

Here's a step-by-step workflow for someone who just got a new MacBook and plans to use it plugged in at a desk most of the time. This covers the first few minutes with AlDente.

1. Install AlDente — Open the downloaded disk image, drag the app into the Applications folder alias, then open it from Launchpad.
2. Grant permissions — When macOS asks, allow AlDente to control your system. This is required for it to manage charging.
3. This avoids conflicts with AlDente.
4. This is a good starting point for desk use.
5. Enable heat protection — In Preferences, turn on heat protection. It's a safety net.
6. Enable Sailing Mode — Also in Preferences, turn on Sailing Mode.
7. Set AlDente to launch at login — In Preferences, check the option to start at login. You won't have to remember to open it.
8. Test for a day — Use your MacBook normally. Check the menu bar icon to confirm the charge limit is holding.
9. Schedule monthly calibration — Once a month, use Calibration Mode. Start it when you don't need the laptop for a few hours. The app will handle the rest.

That's it.

Questions people ask before installing

Before you put AlDente on your machine, a few practical questions usually come up. Here are the ones I hear most often.

AlDente works differently — you set a hard limit and the app enforces it. If both are active, they can conflict. Most people turn off macOS's built-in management and let AlDente handle it.

Do I need to uninstall anything first?
No. AlDente installs cleanly alongside other utilities. It's a single app in your Applications folder, no kernel extensions or system services.

Can I set different charge limits for different times of day?
The standard version of AlDente lets you set one charge limit. If you need it to change based on your schedule, that's a feature in the Pro version.

Once you're back at your desk, set it back to your usual limit. It takes two seconds.

A note on languages and localization

AlDente is available in English, Russian, German, Arabic, Greek, Spanish, Italian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Turkish, French, and Japanese. The interface switches automatically based on your system language. If you prefer a different language, you can change it in the app's preferences.

Yes, AlDente is localized in several languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, and Polish, among others.

• Fixed visual glitches in the Popover that occurred in the first betas of macOS 27.2.

• macOS 12 Monterey or later
• Apple silicon or 64-bit Intel MacBook