What you need before starting
Peeku auto-lock depends on three things: a Mac with a camera, the password-protection setting enabled in System Settings, and the Peeku app. If your Mac has a built-in camera (all modern Macs do), you have everything needed. If you use an external USB or Thunderbolt camera, that works too. An Apple Watch is optional and recommended but not required to use auto-lock.
The full Peeku app that actually locks your screen is a direct download outside the App Store, because Apple's sandboxing prevents App Store apps from triggering system-level screen locks. This is available free on Gumroad or as a notarised DMG download.
Setup in two minutes
Step 1: Install Peeku
- Go to Peeku on Gumroad or download the direct DMG.
- If using Gumroad, add it to your cart (free option available) and download the ZIP file.
- If using the direct DMG, double-click it to mount it.
- Drag Peeku into your Applications folder.
- Open Applications and double-click Peeku to launch it.
Step 2: Grant camera access
- On first launch, macOS will prompt you to allow Peeku to access the camera. Click "Allow".
- If you denied it by accident, open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security > Camera, find Peeku, and toggle it on.
- You will see the camera activity light briefly as Peeku tests the feed. This is normal.
Step 3: Enable the critical password setting
This step is essential. Without it, Peeku can trigger the screen lock but macOS will not require your password to unlock. Anyone can press a key and regain access.
- Open System Settings and go to General > Lock Screen.
- Find the setting labelled "Require password after sleep or screen saver".
- Set it to "Immediately".
- Close System Settings.
Why this matters: Peeku locks the screen using macOS's standard screen-lock command. For the lock to have any security value, macOS must demand your password before the screen unlocks. The default setting often allows a 5-second or 10-second grace period; switching it to "Immediately" closes that window. You must do this yourself; Peeku cannot change this setting on your behalf.
Step 4: Turn on auto-lock
- Click the Peeku menu-bar icon (small icon at the top right of your screen).
- You will see a panel showing three signals: Face Presence, Apple Watch Proximity, and Input Activity.
- Watch these signals for a moment. Move around in front of your camera. Step away. Notice how the Face Presence signal updates in real time.
- Once you trust what you see, toggle the "Auto Lock" switch to on.
- Peeku is now armed. When all signals agree that you have left, the Mac will lock within a few seconds.
Pairing an Apple Watch (optional): If you have an Apple Watch, click the settings icon in the Peeku menu panel, select your Watch from the list, and toggle the Watch proximity gate on. This adds a second confirmation signal: the Mac only locks when both face and Watch say you are away. This reduces false locks if you step away briefly or look away from the screen.
Test it in real time
Before relying on auto-lock day-to-day, run a quick test to build confidence.
- Sit at your desk with the Peeku menu panel open. Confirm all three signals show "present" or "active".
- Stand up and walk away from your Mac, still watching the panel. You will see Face Presence drop to "away".
- Within a few seconds, the screen will lock. You will see the lock screen appear.
- Return to your desk and unlock with your password. Peeku remains armed for the next time.
The delay between face disappearing and lock engaging is intentional. Peeku waits a moment to ensure you have actually left, not just looked away or turned your head. This prevents false locks during a brief distraction.
Troubleshooting
The screen does not lock when I walk away
Check the password setting first. Open System Settings > General > Lock Screen and verify "Require password after sleep or screen saver" is set to "Immediately". If it is set to a delay (5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.), the lock will not require a password immediately and may appear not to work. For a full walkthrough of the native macOS settings that govern locking, see the guide on why your Mac is not locking automatically.
Check camera obstruction. If your camera is blocked (covered, obstructed by a monitor, or pointing at a wall), Peeku cannot detect face presence. Ensure the camera lens is clear and angled toward you. Test by opening the Peeku menu panel and confirming Face Presence updates when you move in front of it.
Check lighting. Face detection requires reasonable lighting. If your desk is dimly lit or backlit (camera points toward a window), detection may fail. Improve the lighting and try again.
Verify auto-lock is actually enabled. Open the Peeku menu and check that the Auto Lock toggle is on. You will see a confirmation message when you turn it on.
The screen locks too quickly or locks me out during a call
This usually happens if your Apple Watch signal is noisy or if the camera has a poor view of your face during a video call. Check the Peeku menu panel in real time. If Face Presence is flickering between "present" and "away" even though you are sitting still, the detection quality needs adjustment. Try adjusting your camera angle or improving the lighting. If Watch proximity is unstable, toggle the Watch gate off in settings (the lock will then rely on face and input activity alone). For a full walkthrough of why the screen can lock too soon and how to tune the timing, see what to do when your Mac locks too fast.
Camera or Bluetooth prompts keep appearing
If you keep getting permission prompts, this usually means Peeku's code signing is unstable (e.g., ad-hoc signed from SSH rather than from a local console). Uninstall Peeku, restart your Mac, and reinstall from Gumroad or the direct DMG. Launch from a local terminal, not via SSH. Permissions will then be cached properly for the Developer ID identity.
About your privacy
Peeku requires no account, no sign-in, and no cloud service. Your camera feed is analysed locally by macOS's Vision framework and never saved to disk or sent anywhere. Peeku does not upload your face data, your presence history, or any signal to any server. You can disable your internet entirely and auto-lock will still work. For more detail, see the full privacy page.
Next steps
Once auto-lock is working reliably, consider pairing it with the optional coaching features. Peeku can nudge you to take walk breaks on a timer and to look away from the screen using the 20-20-20 rule for eye rest. For more context on how presence detection works, see the guide on camera presence versus Bluetooth proximity. If you have questions about privacy, the privacy-first auto-lock guide covers the technical details.
Get Peeku now
Ready to set up walk-away lock? Download the full Peeku app for free. No account required, no cloud, no video stored. Just real-time presence detection and a lock that engages when you leave.
macOS 14+, Apple Silicon. About 3.1 MB. Developer ID signed and notarised. Pay what you want on Gumroad (₹0 option available).
Free Mac App Store build
Prefer the App Store path?
Install Peeku Presence Coach for eye-rest nudges, walk reminders, optional Desk Health, and private local presence signals. The full walk-away lock still needs the direct Mac build because the App Store sandbox blocks automatic screen-lock commands.