5 Things You Should Never Do With Your MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro is already an expensive machine, so Apple naturally raised prices on current models, and then with a newly redesigned Mac expected in late 2026 or early 2027, it’s only natural that prices for this machine would continue to rise. That is why, if you want to buy a MacBook Pro, or if you already own one, it is good to know some mistakes that people make that can significantly reduce its lifespan and that you should avoid.

On top of that, as a MacBook Pro owner since 2010, I’ve experienced a lot of do’s and don’ts with the machines I’ve owned, and here are some of the things you should never do with yours, including putting a webcam cover on, cleaning it with an alcohol-based product, or even using it outside during a heatwave. Just because Apple has created a premium product doesn’t mean it’s indestructible.

For example, when I owned the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro with an Intel chip, it didn’t have a MagSafe cable. I accidentally came across the machine, only to see its screen completely shatter. When Apple released the MacBook Pro M1 Pro, which is the laptop I still own, I told myself that I would never use a USB-C cable if I had the proper MagSafe cable, and it has been a lifesaver ever since. Here are some other things you should never do with your MacBook Pro.

Apple makes the MacBook Pro with almost no space for anything between the screen and keyboard when you close it. You can take a look and see that there is literally a fraction of a millimeter available; This is why Apple advises you not to add a webcam cover. After all, a thick, sliding plastic webcam cover, silicone keyboard covers, or even tempered glass screen protectors can alter the mechanical physics of your enclosed machine and break its hinge, cause keys to malfunction, or make your worst fear a reality: screen shattering.

When such an accident happens, repairing your MacBook costs almost as much as buying a new one. Basically, to keep your MacBook Pro working properly, you need to avoid anything that might prevent it from closing properly. Some might even argue that putting stickers on your MacBook isn’t the best idea either. What you should do instead is make sure your MacBook is up to date and check app permissions. macOS ensures that every time the microphone or camera is used, a green or orange light will appear and you can always control which app supports these functions.

The MacBook Pro still doesn’t have a touchscreen. Still, people can often touch the screen to point at something or, when opening or closing the lid, leave fingerprint marks. Like most high-end Apple products, the MacBook features a delicate anti-glare coating designed by Apple to minimize glare and improve contrast in various lighting conditions. When you use harsh liquids like isopropyl alcohol, window cleaners, or generic pre-moistened screen wipes, you can trigger a destructive chemical reaction.

Over time, these solvents can remove the anti-reflective layers, leading to screen damage, and while I’ve never experienced this, the Mac community calls it “Staingate.” That said, once the coating is damaged, it cannot be repaired. Additionally, if you own a MacBook that has a nano-texture display, you need to be very careful.

You should never spray liquid directly on the screen or chassis. Every time you want to clean your MacBook, turn it off and unplug it from the power. With a dry, clean, high-quality microfiber cloth, such as Apple’s polishing cloth, gently wipe the screen in a circular motion to remove dust and oil. For stubborn stains or dried droplets, Apple says the microfiber cloth can hold a little water. However, you can’t soak it, as you need to make sure the fabric is damp to the touch but not wet enough to express droplets when squeezed.

If you’ve moved from a Windows PC, relax, you now have a Mac. This means that some of the rules of thumb that apply to Windows computers don’t necessarily apply to a MacBook. Forget about installing heavy third-party antivirus suites, firewall monitors, or software that optimizes the system and offers RAM cleaning. After all, macOS manages memory in a different way than Windows. It treats unused RAM as wasted RAM, dynamically caching system files and compressing memory allocation very efficiently.

When you install third-party software, you are actively fighting the built-in intelligence of the operating system. This forces the Mac to re-cache essential system processes from the SSD, consuming additional CPU cycles and draining your battery life without any performance gain. On the other hand, if you use your MacBook like a Mac, you’ll rest assured that macOS is designed to handle itself. This is why you should only download software from the official Mac App Store or directly from verified and reputable developer websites and read the permission prompts carefully.

On top of that, you can use Apple’s native built-in storage management tools located right in the system settings to safely review and delete large files, as macOS is much more like how users manage storage on the iPhone, always ensuring that app permissions are correct and that only apps you know and trust can access your data and tools on Mac.

MacBooks, like most Apple products, work best in ambient temperatures between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Although I think my MacBook performs better at temperatures closer to the minimum than the maximum, you should be careful when using your laptop during heat waves or in outdoor environments when it is in direct sunlight. Today’s computers use lithium-ion batteries, and if you place these machines beyond these limits – for example inside a parked vehicle on a hot afternoon, on a blanket that traps heat, or during heavy tasks while the machine is not well ventilated – then the MacBook’s internal temperature skyrockets, accelerating unwanted chemical reactions that permanently degrade the battery’s maximum capacity.

Additionally, when the internal thermal sensors realize that the chassis cannot dissipate heat effectively, the system engages in aggressive thermal throttling. This was something that happened constantly with Intel Macs, because the chip inside was too powerful and there was little to no room for proper thermal cooling. This changed when Apple switched to its own silicon and updated the internal design.

Yet in bad environments, even Apple Silicon Macs can’t maintain proper CPU and GPU speeds. This is why you should always prioritize ventilation and ambient airflow when working. On a hot day, seek shade or air conditioning and never let direct sunlight reach the chassis. Ideally, you should use the MacBook on a flat surface like a wooden desk or metal stand, allowing the air vents on the sides to cool the device.

Last but not least, regularly updating your Mac software is essential. While it’s understandable that corporate IT departments typically take forever updating computers to make sure everything is running as smoothly as possible, regular users shouldn’t keep hitting the “Call me back tomorrow” button every time a macOS software update notification pops up. After all, even though Apple continues to add new features and emojis for Mac users, the truth is that modern Macs offer more critical updates than before.

In late June, Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.5.2, which fixed possible AI-assisted attacks. Most macOS updates consist of crucial firmware optimizations, kernel bug fixes, and other security fixes like this to fix zero-day vulnerabilities. When you leave your system outdated, you keep your personal files, passwords, and more exposed to known security exploits that have already been documented and patched.

The best way to keep your MacBook Pro secure is to take a proactive approach to system maintenance by automatically installing software updates. In System Settings, under General and Software Update, click the “Automatic Updates” option. There is also a “Security Responses and System Files” tab that must also be enabled, which ensures that Apple can instantly deploy critical security patches without requiring a full restart of macOS, so you can keep your MacBook Pro secure and fully optimized with minimal interruption to your workflow.