Support

Support & Help

Everything you need to set up, use, and troubleshoot SleepGuard. Still stuck? Email support@sleepguard.dev.

What SleepGuard does

SleepGuard is a lightweight macOS menu bar utility that hides your screen with a privacy overlay while keeping your Mac awake. It is built for moments when AI coding agents, terminals, builds, and scripts need to keep running, but you do not want your screen exposed to people nearby.

Activate it from the menu bar or with a global hotkey, step away, and unlock when you return — your background work keeps going the whole time.

Setup

  1. Download and move SleepGuard into your Applications folder, then launch it.
  2. Look for the SleepGuard icon in your macOS menu bar.
  3. Open the menu and choose your preferred unlock method (Touch ID, PIN, or password).
  4. Optionally set a global hotkey and pick a custom overlay image.
  5. Trigger SleepGuard any time from the menu bar or your hotkey.

Touch ID, PIN & password

Touch ID

On supported Macs, you can unlock with Touch ID. Authentication is handled by macOS — SleepGuard only receives a success or failure result and never accesses your biometric data.

PIN

Set a numeric PIN for a quick unlock. Your PIN is stored securely in the macOS Keychain and never leaves your device.

Password

Prefer a password? You can set one as your unlock method. Like the PIN, it is stored locally in the macOS Keychain.

Custom images

You can personalize the privacy overlay with your own image. SleepGuard only uses images you explicitly select, displays them locally, and never uploads or shares them. To change it, open the SleepGuard menu, choose the overlay image option, and select a file from your Mac.

Multi-monitor support

SleepGuard is designed to cover connected displays when you work across multiple screens. When activated, the privacy overlay extends to your external monitors so no display is left exposed.

Troubleshooting

  • › Touch ID isn't offered: Confirm your Mac has Touch ID hardware and that it is configured in System Settings. Otherwise, use PIN or password.
  • › The hotkey doesn't work: Make sure SleepGuard has the required permissions in System Settings → Privacy & Security, and that the shortcut isn't used by another app.
  • › An external display isn't covered: Reconnect the display and re-activate SleepGuard so it can detect all current screens.
  • › Custom image won't load: Use a standard image format and confirm the file is still in its original location.
  • › Forgot your PIN or password: Reset it from the SleepGuard preferences while signed in to your Mac user account.

If something still isn't right, email support@sleepguard.dev with your macOS version and a short description.

FAQ

Can AI tools keep running while SleepGuard is active?

Yes. SleepGuard only hides your screen visually — your Mac and all background workflows keep running.

Does SleepGuard support Touch ID?

Yes, on compatible Macs. You can also use a PIN or password.

Does it work with multiple monitors?

Yes. The overlay is designed to protect all connected displays.

Is my data stored online?

No. SleepGuard works locally and does not depend on cloud storage. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Is there a subscription?

No. SleepGuard is a one-time $3.99 purchase.

Limitations

SleepGuard is not a replacement for the macOS Lock Screen.

It cannot prevent force quit, restart, or OS-level termination. SleepGuard is a privacy overlay and workflow utility designed to hide your screen and help keep your Mac awake — it is not a security boundary and should not be relied on as one.

Contact

Need more help? Reach us any time at support@sleepguard.dev.