Support

Requirements

Requires macOS 13 or later. AirPods motion requires macOS 14 or later and headphones that provide supported head-motion data. Camera fallback requires a built-in Mac camera; external webcams and iPhone Continuity Camera are not selected.

Headphone-based protection is free. Optional camera fallback is a one-time in-app purchase, available separately or included in Pro. Existing camera access is retained. No subscription or app account is required. Check the App Store and the in-app offer for current availability and local pricing.

Get started

Open AirSnoopGuard. Its panel and menu bar icon provide access to all controls. Connect compatible AirPods to the Mac, allow motion access when prompted, face the screen, and choose Center. Turn left or right to extend the overlay; face the screen again to clear it.

Control–Option–Command–G opens the panel, including above a full overlay. Control–Option–Command–C sets the center. Use Pause protection to remove the overlay. Reopening the app from Finder or Spotlight also opens the panel.

Expand More Settings to adjust sensitivity, opacity, and appearance. Preview displays the overlay for 10 seconds without sensor hardware.

Camera fallback

Camera fallback is off by default. When enabled, it starts after about two seconds without valid AirPods motion. Grant camera access when prompted and face the built-in camera. The macOS camera indicator appears while capture is active. AirPods motion returning, pausing protection, or disabling fallback stops capture.

Choose cover after three seconds, cover immediately, or keep the current view when no face is found. You can pause protection from the panel.

AirPods connect but motion is missing

After a phone call, reconnect AirPods to the Mac and select them as the Mac audio output. If offered, use the tone-assisted retry while facing the screen. The tone plays only through the selected Bluetooth output; it does not change the system volume or force a Bluetooth connection.

Hearing the tone does not prove that motion has resumed. Wait for a fresh angle in the panel. If necessary, reconnect in Bluetooth settings and check motion permission in System Settings. Hardware drift can require you to face the screen and center again.

Permissions, settings, and appearance

If camera access was denied, enable AirSnoopGuard under System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, then switch fallback off and on. If the Mac has no built-in camera, fallback is unavailable.

The panel follows your preferred English, Simplified Chinese, or Traditional Chinese language. Settings are saved locally. Choose Follow System for light/dark overlay appearance, or Always Near Black for a darker finish.

What the overlay protects

AirSnoopGuard provides visual screen coverage, not a system lock or identity check. A partial or translucent overlay can leave information visible. It does not detect bystanders or guarantee that others cannot see, capture, or record the screen. Lock your Mac when leaving it unattended.