VirtualSMC

VirtualSMC is a third-party software framework designed to enhance the capabilities of Apple Macintosh hardware. It is primarily used on compatible Hackintosh systems, allowing users to run macOS on non-Apple hardware. The project was started in 2013 and has since become a popular alternative to Apple's own firmware framework, SMC (System Management Controller).

VirtualSMC creates a virtual SMC device that is emulated in a Unix-like environment, providing a platform-agnostic alternative to the proprietary Apple SMC. This allows users to leverage the capabilities of older Mac hardware in newer systems, including temperature monitoring, fan control, and system diagnostics.

The main goals of VirtualSMC are to improve the integration of Hackintosh systems with macOS by addressing the limitations of the SMC API. This involves providing a virtual SMC device that exposes the necessary APIs for system-level information and control, such as hw.read and hw.write.

VirtualSMC has been successful in achieving these goals, allowing users to troubleshoot and monitor their systems with greater ease. However, its support for newer hardware is limited, and some features require complex configuration to work correctly.

Despite its popularity in the Hackintosh community, VirtualSMC is not endorsed by Apple and is not officially supported by the company. Nonetheless, it remains a valuable tool for Hackintosh users seeking to maximize their system's capabilities.