What Is SMC? How to Reset SMC on Mac?

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Have you ever had strange problems with your Mac, like the battery acting up in weird ways, the computer burning, or power glitches? If so, you may have heard of the System Management Controller (SMC).

Put another way, think of it as the magic sauce that keeps your Mac going in the background. The SMC is like a tiny wizard inside your computer; it controls everything from the temperature to the power flow. When things go wrong, resetting the SMC can fix them like magic. What is the SMC, though, and how do you reset it?

This guide will take the mystery out of the SMC by showing how it affects the speed of your Mac and giving you simple steps to reset it if you need to. Let's dive in and find out what the SMC is hiding!

Understanding the SMC: What Is It for Your Mac?

The System Management Controller (SMC) in Mac hardware is essential. It connects software (OS) and hardware, enabling communication and smooth operation. It manages your Mac's hardware activities behind the scenes.

The SMC manages many functions, including:

The SMC quietly monitors your Mac to ensure its reliability and efficiency.

When to Reset the SMC on Your Mac?

The SMC works OK, but sometimes it needs to be reset. Hardware issues can be fixed by resetting the SMC. Some situations where resetting the SMC is beneficial:

How to Reset SMC on Mac (Intel-based/Apple T2/Apple Silicon)?

Mac models have distinct SMC reset processes. First of all, check your Mac’s chip type and then find the right solution to help you reset SMC on your Mac:

#1 Reset SMC on Apple silicon Macs

It is very simple to reset SMC on a Mac with Apple silicon, make sure the Mac is plugged into Power:

Click Apple menu > Choose Restart. Or choose Shut Down, turn it on again.

#2 Reset SMC on Apple T2 Security Macs

For T2 Laptops:

First of all, you can shut down the Mac, just shut down it. Then press and hold the Power button for 10 seconds, then release the button. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button to turn on your Mac. If the issue persists, reset the SMC:

Step 1. Shut down the Mac.

Step 2. Press and hold the three keys: Control, Option, Shift.

Step 3. Hold all three keys for 7 seconds, then press and hold the Power button (or Touch ID) as well. If your Mac is on, it will turn off as you hold the keys.

Step 4. Keep holding all four keys for another 7 seconds, then release them.

Step 5. Wait a few seconds, then press the Power button to turn on your Mac.

For T2 Desktops:

Step 1. Shut down your Mac, then unplug the power cord.

Step 2. Wait 15 seconds, then plug the power cord back in.

Step 3. Wait 5 seconds, then press the Power button to turn on your Mac.

#3 Reset SMC on Intel-based Macs and Other Old Macs

For Laptops:

Step 1. Shut down the Mac.

Step 2.Press and hold Control, Option and Option keys.

Step 3. While holding the three keys, then press and hold Power button as well.

Step 4. Hold all four keys for 10 seconds.

Step 5. Release all keys, then press the Power button to turn on the Mac.

For Desktops:

Step 1. Shut down the Mac, then unplug the power cord.

Step 2. Wait 15 seconds, then plug the power cord back in.

Step 3. Wait 5 seconds, then press the Power button to turn on the Mac.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the System Management Controller (SMC) is like a quiet guardian inside your Mac. It controls hardware functions to make sure everything runs smoothly. When there are problems, like a dead battery or too much heat, restarting the SMC can often fix them. You can fix common Mac problems and keep your device going smoothly by following the easy steps in this guide. Restarting the SMC can fix many issues, but you should try all the other solutions first. Once you know how it works, you can use the SMC to its fullest to keep your Mac running quickly and reliably for years.

If resetting SMC can’t solve your Mac’s problem, just contact Apple support.