macOS
Homebrew Caskverified · 100%
brew install --cask smcfancontrollocal Homebrew cask metadata
cask
Install smcfancontrol with Homebrew Cask
Sets a minimum speed for built-in fans. Version 2.6 via Homebrew Cask; verified from local package data.
install
Additional install commands
overview
Package summary
Sets a minimum speed for built-in fans
Project links
Commands and aliases
No executable aliases were found in the local package database.
history
Project history and usage
smcFanControl is an open-source macOS menu-bar utility for raising the minimum speed of built-in fans so an Intel Mac can run cooler.
Project history
Hendrik Holtmann created smcFanControl as a GPL-licensed macOS utility during the early Intel Mac era. Its source dates to 2006, and later releases added support for newer Intel Mac models, macOS releases, dark appearance modes, and lower energy use.
Adoption history
The project became a familiar utility for Intel Mac users who wanted a higher cooling baseline during sustained workloads. Its official README documents Homebrew Cask installation, connecting the menu-bar utility with reproducible macOS package-management workflows.
How it is used
Users choose a higher minimum fan speed or a saved favorite from the menu-bar application. The utility does not permit minimum speeds below Apple's defaults, and macOS can still raise fan speed beyond the selected minimum when cooling demands it.
Why package nerds care
smcFanControl is emblematic of Intel-era Mac hardware utilities: a small native application exposing System Management Controller fan behavior that macOS otherwise manages automatically. Its conservative refusal to set minimum speeds below Apple's defaults is central to the project's identity.
Timeline
- 2006: The source copyright history begins during the first generation of Intel Macs.
- 2014: The 2.5 generation added newer macOS compatibility and reduced energy use.
- 2016: Version 2.6 updated platform requirements and fixed compatibility issues.
- 2018: A 2.6.1 beta added dark-mode and 2018 MacBook Pro support.
Related projects
- The application controls fan behavior through Apple's System Management Controller. The repository also contains an smc command-line component.
Sources
security posture
No protected-tool coverage found yet
No matching local secret-handling manifest was found for smcfancontrol. Package metadata is still published here so future coverage has a stable package URL.
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- No Homebrew bottle metadata was recorded.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| No executable data was present. | |||
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-11-04
manager version2.6
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected
https://github.com/hholtmann/smcFanControl
- infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
- infoNo cached GitHub release or tag data was available.https://github.com/hholtmann/smcFanControlnone confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | cask:smcfancontrol |
|---|---|
| Version | 2.6 |
| Package manager | Homebrew Cask |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/smcfancontrol |
| Homepage | https://github.com/hholtmann/smcFanControl |
| Repository | https://github.com/hholtmann/smcFanControl |
| Source archive | https://github.com/hholtmann/smcFanControl/releases/download/2.6/smcfancontrol_2_6.zip |
| SHA-256 | 7662058e618537eb466307e3b12e540b857e61392646a5b09df51bec9ad6da38 |
| Bottle | not recorded |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew cask API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/cask |
| Full Token | smcfancontrol |
| Names |
|
| Conflicts With | |
| Artifacts | |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated package history
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment