Lock any app.
Touch ID. Apple Watch.
The only open-source app locker for macOS. More features than paid alternatives — completely free.
Everything you need.
Nothing you don't.
Built for privacy-conscious Mac users who want real app protection — not security theater.
Touch ID
Single fingerprint prompt unlocks instantly. No double authentication, no clunky password dialogs.
Apple Watch
Apps unlock automatically when your Watch is on your wrist and nearby. BLE wrist detection — no other app locker has this.
Lock on App Switch
Re-locks every time you switch to a protected app. Not just on launch — on every activation. No gaps in protection.
Close on Sleep
Close your laptop — messaging apps are terminated instantly. Nobody can snoop your conversations later.
Auto-Close Inactive
Protected apps close after a configurable timeout. Per-app control — keep your editor open, close your messengers.
Multi-Monitor
Blur overlay covers all connected displays simultaneously. No peeking at content on the other screen.
Free beats paid.
See how MakLock stacks up against the most popular alternatives.
- Touch ID unlock
- Apple Watch wrist detection
- Lock on app switch
- Blur overlay, all monitors
- Auto-close & close on sleep
- Auto-lock on idle & sleep
- Open source (MIT)
- Unlimited apps
- Touch ID — paid only
- No Apple Watch
- Launch only — no re-lock
- Basic panel, no blur
- Can't close apps (sandbox)
- No auto-lock
- Closed source
- Free tier: 1 app only
- No Touch ID
- No Apple Watch
- Lock on app switch
- Dialog box only
- Can't close apps (sandbox)
- Auto-lock on idle
- Closed source
- Website blocking
Set up in seconds.
MakLock runs silently in your menu bar. No Dock icon, no distractions.
Add your apps
Choose which apps to protect. Toggle per-app settings like auto-close for messaging apps.
Apps get locked
When anyone opens or switches to a protected app, a blur overlay instantly blocks all content on every monitor.
Authenticate
Touch ID, Apple Watch on your wrist, or password. Re-locks on idle, sleep, or when your Watch leaves range.
100% Free. Open Source.
No subscriptions. No trials. No feature gates. No telemetry. No data collection. Just privacy.
Ready to lock your apps?
macOS 13 Ventura or later. Apple Silicon & Intel.
Frequently asked questions.
Is MakLock really free?
Yes, MakLock is completely free and open source under the MIT license. No in-app purchases, no subscriptions, no trial periods, no feature gates. Every feature is available to everyone, forever.
How is MakLock different from AppLocker?
AppLocker ($17.99) is distributed through the App Store and is sandboxed. This means it can only detect app launches — not when you switch to an already-running app. If Messages is running and you Cmd+Tab to it, AppLocker won't block it. MakLock locks on every app switch, not just launches. MakLock also has Apple Watch unlock, auto-close on sleep, multi-monitor blur overlay, and it's completely free.
How is MakLock different from Cisdem AppCrypt?
Cisdem AppCrypt ($19.99/year) shows a small dialog box instead of a full-screen overlay, doesn't support Touch ID or Apple Watch, and doesn't cover multiple monitors. MakLock uses a blur overlay across all displays, supports Touch ID and Apple Watch proximity unlock, and costs nothing.
Does MakLock work with Touch ID?
Yes. Touch ID is the primary authentication method. A single fingerprint prompt unlocks the app instantly. On Macs without Touch ID (like Mac Mini or older MacBooks), MakLock uses a password as fallback.
Does MakLock support Apple Watch unlock?
Yes. MakLock can detect your Apple Watch via Bluetooth Low Energy. When your Watch is on your wrist and nearby, protected apps unlock automatically. If you take your Watch off or walk away, apps re-lock.
What macOS versions are supported?
MakLock requires macOS 13 (Ventura) or later. It runs natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs as a Universal Binary.
Can I get locked out of my Mac?
No. MakLock has multiple safety mechanisms: a panic key (Cmd+Option+Shift+Control+U) instantly dismisses all overlays, critical system apps like Terminal and Finder can never be locked, and overlays auto-dismiss after 60 seconds without interaction.
Why isn't MakLock on the App Store?
App Store apps run in a sandbox that prevents full-screen overlays, process management, and reliable app switch detection. MakLock needs these capabilities to properly protect your apps. It's distributed directly with Apple Developer ID signing and notarization — macOS verifies it's safe before you run it.
How do I install MakLock?
Download the DMG from GitHub Releases, open it, and drag MakLock to Applications. Or install via Homebrew: brew tap dutkiewiczmaciej/tap && brew install --cask maklock. No Gatekeeper warnings — it's signed and notarized.
Does MakLock collect any data?
No. Zero telemetry, zero analytics, zero data collection. MakLock runs entirely on your Mac. Your list of protected apps, settings, and authentication data never leave your device. The source code is open for anyone to verify.