How to check MacBook temperature

When your Mac runs too hot, it affects both performance and longevity. So, if you've noticed your Mac getting warmer than usual, I'll walk you through how to check your MacBook temperature and keep it running optimally.

How to check MacBook temperature: Quick methods

Ways to check Mac temperature	How to do it
Using built-in apps	In Terminal, type sudo powermetrics --samplers smc |grep -i "CPU die temperature" and enter your admin password.
Automatically + improve Mac performance	Monitor all Mac sensors with iStat Menus.
Automatically + prevent overheating	Set the max allowable temperature with AlDente Pro.

Prefer one app only? Get AlDente Pro in Setapp Marketplace, same app, same plans, from $29.99 one-time or $14.49 per year for heat protection.

What is a Mac temperature monitor? 

A temperature monitor is a tool that lets you check your Mac temperature sensors. Having this at your disposal helps ensure your Mac runs within safe temperature ranges. This prevents app hanging, lag, and poor performance.

According to Apple's support documentation, Mac notebooks operate best between 50° to 95°F (10° to 35°C) ambient temperature. Internal components can safely reach higher temperatures, but monitoring helps you catch issues early.

Although monitoring temperature might sound as simple as reading a thermostat or thermometer, various tools provide their special something. It might be a feature of a comprehensive platform or a dedicated temperature monitoring app. I'll review several ways to perform a Mac temperature check and what to do when things get too heated.

Best MacBook temperature monitor apps

Every Mac temperature monitor has perks, but whether it has the specific ones you need is a different story. Here's a quick overview of the top monitoring apps to ensure your laptop stays cool.

Let's compare!	iStat Menus	CleanMyMac	Usage	AlDente Pro	Novabench
Best for	Excessive metrics alert	Real-time system monitoring	Processor Temperature tracking	Battery temperature management	Detailed analysis generation
Hidden gem	Fan speed control	Malware-induced heat detection	Customized widgets	Heat Protection feature	Stress tests
Price/month	Available with Setapp subscription*	Available with Setapp subscription*	Available with Setapp subscription*	Available with Setapp subscription*	Available with Setapp subscription*

*Setapp is a platform with 250+ apps for macOS, iOS, and web. Try it free for 7 days, then continue from $9.99/month + tax.

These apps are hard to compare because they all boast unique features. While some of them overlap, none of them are exact duplicates of each other.

Which temperature sensor to monitor?

Macs come with multiple sensors to manage their internal temperatures. 

Understanding each helps you identify potential issues:

Main sensors to track:

• CPU temperature sensors: Monitor processor heat during intensive tasks.
• GPU temperature sensors: Track graphics card temperature during video editing or gaming.
• Battery temperature sensor: Crucial for battery longevity.
• Ambient temperature sensor: Helps cooling mechanisms adjust.
• Logic board thermal sensors: Prevent important components from overheating.
• Storage (SSD/HDD) temperature: Monitor drive health via SMART data.

There are tonnes of other sensors to track, and I've been in situations where the CPU and GPU temperatures have been okay, but the battery temperature sensor has caused issues. That's why temperature is such a crucial factor in a Mac's overall health.

Let's go over how to see your CPU temp (and other essential stats) and the best tools and tricks of the trade. 

How to monitor CPU temperature with Terminal (on Intel macBooks)

The most basic way to get information on your Mac CPU temperature is to use the built-in Terminal:

1. Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2. Type the command sudo powermetrics --samplers smc |grep -i "CPU die temperature".
3. Enter your Mac password (it won't be displayed).
4. Press Return.

After entering your password, you'll see five temperature readings, including the CPU temperature listed at the top. CPU temperatures typically range between 40°C and 80 °C (104°F and 176°F), but anything above 90°C (192°F) is considered the danger zone.

How to check the CPU temperature of M-series Macs

I own an M2 Mac, which means I cannot use built-in Terminal command to check my CPU temperature. 

On the internet, you'll find recommendations for checking your Mac's temperature using Homebrew tools. They often suggest installing Homebrew and brew install osx-cpu-temp, then using the osx-cpu-temp command to see the temperature.

There's also a recommendation to install brew install istats, and then run a command like istats to check the CPU temperature.

Some sources claim this works with some M-series MacBooks; however, it didn't work on my MacBook Air M2. You can try it for your device, but I can't guarantee it will work on your machine.

If you have an Apple silicon-based Mac, you'll most likely need to rely on third-party apps to access that information — but that's not a bad thing, as you'll be able to explore some of the best CPU temp monitors out there.

I've tried and tested apps like iStat Menus, CleanMyMac, Usage, and Novabench. They all proved to be reliable monitoring tools with a user-friendly interface for keeping an eye on your Mac's CPU temperature in different ways, which I'll review in subsequent sections.

How to check the battery temperature: Use AlDente Pro

The Mac battery has historically deteriorated the quickest and caused the most issues with the computer. Keeping its temperature in safe ranges is one way to extend its lifespan.

Watching your device's battery temperature is not something you want to do regularly, but AlDente Pro has changed that for me. AlDente sort of does exactly what it implies. The app keeps your battery just right by stopping it from charging when it's hot, implements charging thresholds, and sets heat protection limits.

To check your battery temperature in real-time, use the app:

1. Install and open AlDente Pro.
2. Click Settings in the top menu pop-up.
3. Click Features and look for Heat Protection.
4. Set a maximum temperature threshold for notifications.

From now on, you'll be notified when your Mac reaches that threshold.

Click on the Stats tab to access information on your battery health and electrical specs, such as voltage, current, and system load. Here, you can ensure that everything is working as it should.

How to monitor GPU temperature separately from CPU temperature: Use iStat Menus

Just like with the CPU, there isn't an Apple native way to check temperature sensors for the GPU. So, I went ahead and found a third-party app called iStat Menus that acts as a dual CPU and GPU temperature monitor.

iStat Menus is highly customizable, letting you change the color palette of your menu bar statistics and what sort of information you want displayed. Every component is easily readable, with large widgets that can be combined into a single panel for an overview of your main sensors, including CPU, GPU, and the percentage of time your fans are running. If toggled on, it can even alert you when sensors are above a specific temperature.

For those who have an aging laptop or frequently use their computer to full capacity, you might notice that your Mac fan keeps running whenever you're on it. Therefore, iStat Menus will give you the information and the peace of mind needed to detect potential issues early. Notice your temperatures are continuously overheating past the normal range? You can check for any failing fans in the app's menu or find ways to cool down your computer before any lasting damage is done.

How to show Mac temperature on menu bar: Use CleanMyMac

Rather than going through multiple steps to get the data you want, I typically choose CleanMyMac, a Mac care app, for its easy-to-read Battery monitor feature. I can get a brief look or dive into more detail to see charging cycles, whether charging or discharging, and a snapshot of overall battery health. 

Moreover, CleanMyMac can easily detect malware that is difficult to spot on a device. Malicious software can run many intensive processes in the background, leading your Mac to heat up. That's why the app can solve two problems: removing malware and preventing high temperatures.

If you value great features and an intuitive design, you'll like CleanMyMac for this.

How to display Mac temperature on widgets: use Usage

If you're a frequent widget user, it's also the perfect place to watch CPU temp range and battery health so you never miss a beat. The Usage app can help you add all sorts of informative widgets, including the Processor Temperature elements. Moreover, you can choose between various widget templates to meet your needs.

To add widgets with Usage:

1. Click on the date and time in your menu bar.
2. Scroll down and click Edit Widgets.
3. Find the Usage app from the list.
4. Drag and drop the widgets you want into your notification center.

   

   ✕ Remove app banner

Usage makes it easy to get a real-time rundown for those who aren't fans of the menu bar and prefer the slideout view of the desktop and notification center.

Add widgets in minutes, then cancel anytime. Get the toolkit. Only need widgets? Subscribe to Usage via Setapp Marketplace, curated and easy to manage, from $4.99 per 3 months or $24.99 per year.

How to view temperature changes inside your Mac: Use Novabench

Like all technology, Macs deteriorate over time. Fans wear out, storage drives experience wear and tear, batteries lose capacity, and fans degrade, which means temperature changes are bound to happen.

A great way to keep track of those changes retroactively is to find software or apps that can generate detailed reports for you. I use Novabench to gauge how my CPU, GPU, memory, temperature, and battery life have been doing over time. The app also works to benchmark your metrics against similar laptops so you can evaluate where your device stands. 

To generate a report:

• Click Start all Benchmark Tests to receive every report.
• Or, choose an individual test, depending on your needs.

What should you do if the Mac temperature is too high?

Overly high temperatures can lead to shortened component lifespans (like for the notorious Mac battery), poor performance, and damage to your hardware. All in all, you never want to let temperature be what leads to a faulty computer. 

To cool down your Mac:

• Make sure you've got proper ventilation by keeping your laptop on a flat surface.
• Use cooling pads or laptop stands to improve airflow.
• Check your Mac for malware overheating your Mac.
• Observe your CPU consumption and reduce your computer's workload by closing unused apps or browser tabs.
• Employ third-party apps to avoid overheating with heat protection features.

Using a Mac temperature monitor for optimal performance

The more effort you put into watching your temperature sensors and taking steps to prevent overheating — physically and through third-party apps like iStat Menus and Usage and Novabench — the more you can preserve your Mac. As someone who uses their laptop well over eight hours a day, putting safeguards in place and monitoring my Mac's sensors with CleanMyMac and AlDente Pro has made a noticeable difference in the performance of my MacBook. Also, a tool like App Tamer can effectively reduce your CPU usage and temperature by slowing down background apps. 

Keep your Mac fast and stable by tracking heat, stopping battery stress, and cutting background load. Set up iStat Menus-style monitoring, AlDente Pro protection, and CleanMyMac checks, Cancel anytime. Start 7-day trial. If overheating is mainly battery-related, choose AlDente Pro in Setapp Marketplace, from $29.99 one-time or $14.49 per year.

FAQs