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Terms of Use

Last updated: February 10, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By downloading, installing, accessing, or using Chargy ("the Software," "the Application," or "the App"), you ("the User," "you," or "your") agree to be bound by these Terms of Use ("Terms"). If you do not agree to all of these Terms, you must not download, install, or use the Software. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and the developer of Chargy ("we," "us," or "our").

2. Description of Service

Chargy is a macOS menu bar application designed for Apple Silicon MacBooks that provides the following services:

  • Battery Charge Management: Setting and enforcing custom charge limits by controlling the System Management Controller (SMC)
  • Active Battery Drain: Disabling the power adapter via SMC to drain the battery to a target percentage
  • MagSafe LED Control: Programmatically changing the MagSafe connector LED color to indicate charging status
  • Real-Time Power Monitoring: Displaying live wattage, voltage, amperage, temperature, and other power metrics from IOKit
  • Battery Health Dashboard: Showing battery health percentage, cycle count, capacity information, and detailed battery statistics
  • Power History and Charts: Recording and displaying historical power usage data with multiple time ranges
  • AI Efficiency Scoring: An algorithmic evaluation of charging efficiency with recommendations
  • Automatic Battery Calibration: A multi-phase calibration cycle to recalibrate the battery gauge
  • Top Energy Processes: Identifying the top processes consuming CPU and estimating their power draw
  • Battery Time Prediction: Estimating remaining battery life or time to full charge based on usage sampling

3. License Grant

3.1 Chargy is provided as free software. Subject to your compliance with these Terms, we grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to download, install, and use the Software on any compatible Mac computer that you own or are authorized to use.

3.2 You may not:

  • Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise attempt to derive the source code of the Software, except to the extent expressly permitted by applicable law
  • Modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works based on the Software
  • Distribute, sublicense, lease, rent, loan, or otherwise transfer the Software to third parties in a modified form
  • Remove, alter, or obscure any proprietary notices, labels, or marks on the Software
  • Use the Software for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable laws or regulations
  • Use the Software to intentionally damage or degrade the performance of any hardware

3.3 You may freely redistribute unmodified copies of the Software in its original DMG format for non-commercial purposes.

4. System Requirements and Compatibility

4.1 Chargy requires the following to operate:

  • A Mac computer with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4, or newer)
  • macOS 13 (Ventura) or later
  • Administrator access for installing the background helper daemon

4.2 The Software is not compatible with Intel-based Mac computers. Running the Software on unsupported hardware or operating system versions may result in unpredictable behavior.

4.3 Certain features may behave differently depending on your specific Mac model, macOS version, and SMC firmware revision (e.g. Tahoe vs. pre-Tahoe firmware). We make no guarantee that all features will function identically across all supported configurations.

5. System Modifications and Privileged Access

5.1 By installing and using Chargy's charge control features, you acknowledge and consent to the following system modifications:

  • Privileged Helper Daemon: A binary (smc_charged) is installed at /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/ and runs with root (superuser) privileges
  • Launch Daemon: A launchd property list is installed at /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.chargy.charged.plist to start the daemon automatically at boot with KeepAlive enabled
  • SMC Key Writes: The daemon directly writes to SMC keys that control battery charging behavior (CHTE/CH0B/CH0C), adapter power state (CHIE/CH0I/CH0J), and MagSafe LED color (ACLC)
  • Configuration Files: JSON configuration and status files are stored at /Library/Application Support/Chargy/
  • Login Item: Optionally registers as a login item via SMAppService to launch at user login
  • Local Database: An SQLite database is created in your user Application Support directory for power history

5.2 All system modifications are fully reversible through the built-in "Full Uninstall" feature or by manually removing the installed files. Upon clean shutdown or uninstallation, the daemon restores all modified SMC keys to their default values.

5.3 The daemon requires root-level access because macOS restricts SMC write operations to privileged processes. This is standard practice for battery management applications on macOS. The administrator password you enter during installation is handled by the macOS authorization framework and is never stored, cached, or transmitted by Chargy.

6. Battery and Hardware Risks

6.1 Chargy interacts directly with your Mac's hardware through the SMC. While the Software uses the same well-documented SMC mechanisms used by Apple's own battery management and by other established tools, you acknowledge and accept the following:

  • Battery management inherently involves interaction with hardware components that degrade over time
  • Setting charge limits, enabling active drain, and running calibration cycles affect how your battery charges and discharges
  • Results may vary depending on your Mac model, macOS version, SMC firmware revision, battery age, and environmental conditions
  • Long-term effects of maintaining specific charge levels depend on many factors outside the Software's control
  • The calibration feature intentionally cycles the battery between extreme states (15% to 100%) which temporarily increases wear
  • Disabling the power adapter while plugged in causes the system to run on battery power, which may affect performance under heavy workloads

6.2 You are solely responsible for:

  • The charge limits, calibration schedules, and other settings you configure
  • Monitoring your battery health over time
  • Ensuring the Software is functioning as expected for your hardware configuration
  • Any consequences arising from your use of the Software's charge control features

7. AI and Algorithmic Features

7.1 Chargy includes an AI efficiency scoring algorithm that evaluates power usage and provides recommendations. This feature:

  • Uses rule-based algorithms that run entirely on your local machine
  • Provides recommendations based on general battery science and power usage patterns
  • Is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice
  • May not account for all variables affecting your specific battery or usage scenario

7.2 Efficiency scores, star ratings, and recommendations are approximate and are provided "as is." You should not rely solely on these metrics for making decisions about your battery management strategy.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, AND ACCURACY. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, SECURE, OR FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SOFTWARE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR THAT THE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM USE OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, AND RESULTS OF THE SOFTWARE IS WITH YOU.

WE MAKE NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY BATTERY HEALTH DATA, POWER READINGS, EFFICIENCY SCORES, TIME PREDICTIONS, OR RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED BY THE SOFTWARE. SUCH INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.

9. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS, DEVELOPERS, CONTRIBUTORS, OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES, LOSS OF USE, LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, BATTERY DEGRADATION, HARDWARE DAMAGE, OR ANY OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

THIS LIMITATION APPLIES TO, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO: (A) ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR BATTERY, MACBOOK, OR OTHER HARDWARE; (B) ANY LOSS OF DATA STORED ON YOUR DEVICE; (C) ANY INACCURACY IN BATTERY HEALTH READINGS, POWER MEASUREMENTS, OR PREDICTIONS; (D) ANY CONSEQUENCES OF THE CALIBRATION PROCESS; (E) ANY INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SOFTWARE AND MACOS UPDATES OR THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE; (F) ANY SERVICE OR REPAIR COSTS FOR YOUR DEVICE.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the developers and contributors of Chargy from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or in connection with: (a) your use or misuse of the Software; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any rights of a third party; or (d) any claim that your use of the Software caused damage to a third party.

11. Apple and Third-Party Disclaimers

11.1 Chargy is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or in any way officially connected with Apple Inc. ("Apple"). Mac, MacBook, macOS, Apple Silicon, MagSafe, and IOKit are trademarks of Apple Inc.

11.2 Use of Chargy may or may not affect your Apple warranty or AppleCare coverage. We make no representations regarding the impact of using the Software on any manufacturer warranty, service agreement, or insurance policy. You should consult Apple's warranty terms and your AppleCare agreement independently.

11.3 macOS updates may change SMC behavior, IOKit APIs, or system security policies in ways that affect the Software's functionality. We are not responsible for compatibility issues arising from operating system updates.

12. Automatic Calibration Acknowledgment

The automatic calibration feature performs a multi-phase cycle that:

  • Discharges your battery to approximately 15% by disabling the power adapter
  • Charges the battery to 100%
  • Holds at 100% for approximately 2 hours
  • Drains back to your configured charge limit

This process takes several hours, temporarily overrides your charge limit settings, and involves a full charge-discharge cycle. By enabling this feature, you acknowledge that calibration cycles contribute to battery wear (though they are intended to improve battery gauge accuracy) and that the process should not be interrupted (e.g. by unplugging your Mac during the charging phase).

13. Updates and Maintenance

13.1 We are under no obligation to provide updates, patches, bug fixes, or new features for the Software. Any updates that may be provided are subject to these Terms unless accompanied by separate terms.

13.2 The Software does not include an automatic update mechanism. You are responsible for obtaining and installing any updated versions.

14. Termination

14.1 You may stop using Chargy at any time by using the built-in "Full Uninstall" feature in Settings, which removes the daemon, system files, preferences, history database, and the application itself.

14.2 You may also manually uninstall by: (a) unloading the launch daemon via launchctl, (b) deleting the daemon binary and plist, (c) removing the configuration directory, and (d) deleting the application from your Applications folder.

14.3 Upon proper termination (via the built-in uninstall or daemon shutdown), all modified SMC keys are restored to their default values, returning your Mac's charging behavior to normal.

14.4 Sections 8, 9, 10, and 11 of these Terms shall survive any termination or expiration of these Terms.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving its original intent.

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and us regarding your use of the Software and supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties.

17. Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver of any provision of these Terms will be effective only if in writing and signed by us.

18. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights under these Terms, in whole or in part, without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights under these Terms without restriction.

19. Export Compliance

You agree to comply with all applicable export control laws and regulations. You represent that you are not located in a country that is subject to a government embargo or that has been designated as a "terrorist supporting" country, and you are not listed on any government list of prohibited or restricted parties.

20. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

20.1 These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the developer resides, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

20.2 Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Software shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation within thirty (30) days, either party may pursue resolution through the courts of competent jurisdiction.

20.3 You agree that any legal action or proceeding relating to these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the courts of the jurisdiction in which the developer resides, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

21. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify, amend, or replace these Terms at any time at our sole discretion. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the Software after any changes to these Terms constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Software and uninstall it.

22. Contact

If you have questions, concerns, or inquiries regarding these Terms of Use, please contact us:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Contact form: chargy.app/contact

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