If you have a Magic Mouse 2 connected to your Mac and you are seeing messages that its battery is low, you may wonder if you need to change it. You probably don’t need to change it because the Magic Mouse 2 has a rechargeable battery.
In most cases, you simply need to plug the Mouse into your Mac or a USB wall charger using the lightning cable supplied with it and let it charge for a while.
My name is Eric, and I have worked with technology devices since I was a kid in the late 1970s. Over the years, I have seen significant advancements in devices and computer peripherals. With these advancements often comes a learning curve and the need to know more about how they work.
Below, I will discuss why the Magic Mouse 2 does not usually need to change batteries, how to charge it and what to do if it actually does need a battery change.
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Why Doesn’t Magic Mouse 2 Need to Change Batteries
As mentioned above, the Magic Mouse 2 has a rechargeable battery, so in most cases, there is no need to change the battery. That being said, like any other rechargeable device, eventually, the battery will wear out and won’t hold a charge. You may want to consider replacing the battery at that time, but we will discuss that in another section below.
The rechargeable battery in the Magic Mouse 2 will supply many hours of use without needing a charge. Most users have reported that a fully charged Magic Mouse 2 can last for 2 to 3 months. Of course, that depends on your usage and the age of the mouse.
As it ages, you will find that it does not hold a charge quite as long, which is typical for most rechargeable devices. The Magic Mouse 2 uses a lithium-ion battery with a life span of around 3 to 5 years.
So, you won’t usually need to worry about changing the battery in a Magic Mouse 2 until you have had and used it for quite some time.
How to Charge the Magic Mouse 2
If you see messages from your Mac saying that the battery is low, this is an indication that you will need to charge your Magic Mouse 2. It does not mean that you need to change the battery. Charging the Magic Mouse 2 is quite simple.
You can plug the included lightning cable into your Mac or an Apple USB wall charger and let it charge up. Depending on your Mac type, you may need a converter to convert one end of the cable to the type of USB plug your Mac has.
The Magic Mouse 2 charges quite quickly, but unfortunately, you won’t be able to use it while it is charging. This is because the lightning port is on the bottom of the Magic Mouse 2, which means you need to have it upside down or tipped on its side to charge it.
This is one of the major complaints about the Magic Mouse 2. In my opinion, this is a very poor design since having the port on the bottom renders the device useless while charging.
Luckily the device charges relatively quickly, and in a pinch, you can charge it for a few minutes, begin using it and delay fully charging until you are done using it for a while.
What if the Magic Mouse 2 Battery needs Replaced
Like all rechargeable devices, the Magic Mouse 2’s rechargeable battery will eventually wear out. The battery’s lifetime is around 3 to 5 years, and you will know that it is nearing the end of its life when you have to recharge it much more frequently than 2 to 3 months.
Once this happens, you have four options.
Option 1: Continue using the mouse as is and recharge it frequently.
Remember that you can’t use the mouse while it is plugged in and/or charging due to the port being on the bottom, so this may become a real hassle, especially if you have to charge it daily.
Option 2: Replace the battery yourself.
While it may be difficult, replacing the rechargeable battery in the Magic Mouse 2 yourself is possible. Replacement batteries are available online, but opening up the Magic Mouse 2 can be complicated. You may only want to tackle this if you have experience opening devices like this.
There are a few resources out there that can step you through the process but keep in mind you do risk damaging the device and possibly needing to buy a replacement in the end.
Option 3: Have the battery replaced by Apple.
You can take the device to Apple or an Apple-certified technician. While this is a somewhat easier option than option 2, it will take some time to schedule an appointment, and if the mouse is not under warranty or an AppleCare plan, it could be quite costly.
Option 4: Purchase a new Magic Mouse.
This may sound crazy, but in the end, it may just be easier to purchase a new Magic Mouse 2. It may make sense if your Magic Mouse is going on 3 to 5 years old and has quite a bit of use. Maybe it is at the end of its lifespan.
When you consider the cost of a new battery and/or having a technician replace it, you won’t spend much more to buy a new one. This may be the best option since you will get a whole new device and the most up-to-date version.
FAQs
Below are a few questions commonly asked about the battery in a Magic Mouse 2.
How Do I check the battery life of a Magic Mouse 2
You can check the life of your Magic Mouse 2’s current battery charge by going into System Settings and then select the Bluetooth category. Find your Magic Mouse 2 and click on the i next to it. This will show the current battery life of the device.
How long does a Magic Mouse 2 take to charge?
The Magic Mouse 2 takes about 2 hours to fully charge. That’s not bad considering a full charge will last for a couple of months.
Can I use the Magic Mouse 2 before it is fully charged?
Yes, you definitely can. While you cannot use it while it is charging, if you don’t have a couple of hours to let it charge, you could charge it for just a few minutes. A two-minute charge will give you a good 8 to 9 hours of usage.
Conclusion
The Magic Mouse 2 is a rechargeable device that does not need new batteries, at least not until the rechargeable battery nears the end of its lifespan. While it is possible to change the rechargeable battery, it is also worth considering the purchase of a new one since the cost will not be that much more.
I hope the information above has helped you to learn about the rechargeable battery of the Magic Mouse 2. Let me know if you have questions or comments. I would love to hear from you.
