System Management Controller Explained

The System Management Controller (SMC) is a subsystem of Intel and Apple silicon-based Macintosh computers. It is similar in function to the older SMU or PMU of PowerPC based Macintosh computers.^{[1] [2]}

Overview

The SMC has roles in controlling thermal and power management, battery charging, video mode switching, sleep and wake, hibernation, and LED indicators. It also enables enforcement of the macOS End User License, allowing macOS to identify when it is running on non-Apple hardware.^[3]

See also

• Embedded controller (EC)
• Power management integrated circuit (PMIC)
• Power Management Unit (PMU)
• System Management Unit (SMU)
• Apple T2

External links

• EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Macs

Notes and References

1. Web site: HT2368: About the SMC Firmware Updates . Official Apple Support . https://web.archive.org/web/20081223202919/http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2368?viewlocale=en_US . 2008-12-23 . dead .
2. Web site: HT202040: About the SMC Firmware Updates . Official Apple Support . 2018-04-28 . 2021-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519004618/https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202040 . live .
3. . 2010-08-11 . mdy . VirtualBox . . 130 . . 2018-04-28 . 2018-04-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180428181223/https://twit.tv/shows/floss-weekly/episodes/130 . live .