Walk-away lock checklist

Will your Mac actually lock when you leave?

A lot of Macs are one missed setting away from staying open at the desk. Check the settings that decide whether walking away really protects the session.

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Peeku on the Mac App Store gives private walk, eye-rest, distance, and posture nudges, plus an optional screen-saver-based walk-away lock that is off by default and needs no Accessibility permission.

Lock readiness

0/7

Start check

Password is required immediately after sleep or screen saver. System Settings -> Lock Screen should require the password without a long grace period.
The display sleeps or screen saver starts quickly enough. If the display stays awake for an hour, the Mac can stay usable long after you leave.
You have a reliable manual lock habit. Control-Command-Q works, but only if you remember it every time.
Apple Watch unlock is not your only plan. Watch unlock helps when you return. It does not make the Mac notice that you left.
Screen Sharing or remote-control sessions are understood. Remote sessions can be a valid reason not to auto-lock, but stale helpers should not count as someone present.
Break reminders do not depend on memory alone. Walk and eye-rest nudges work better when they live in the Mac menu bar, not a forgotten calendar event.
You know which Peeku build you need. Peeku combines private coaching with an optional screen-saver-based walk-away lock.

Start with the checklist. If your Mac still depends on memory, Peeku can coach the habit and, if you choose, start its optional screen-saver-based walk-away lock.

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Why the gap exists

macOS timers are not the same as presence.

macOS can require a password after sleep or screen saver starts. That is useful, but it is still a timer. It does not know whether you stepped away thirty seconds after opening a sensitive window.

Peeku adds local presence signals. The same Mac App Store edition uses them for coaching and Desk Health, and can start the screen saver when you leave.

Related: Mac not locking automatically, set up walk-away lock, privacy-first auto-lock.