Quoted from "Porting UNIX/Linux Applications to OS X,"[1] * macro __MACH__ is defined if Mach system calls are supported; * macro __APPLE__ is defined in any Apple computer. __MACH__ is not specific to macOS since GNU/Hurd runs on a Mach-based microkernel (gnumach) [2]. __MACH__ is defined by the compiler, leading to potential confusions. The solution is just changing the checked identifier (i.e. __APPLE__), so it is really used only on macOS. [1] https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Porting/Conceptual/PortingUnix/compiling/compiling.html [2] https://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/microkernel/mach/gnumach.html