Ghosted: Smart Presence

Pause media or lock your screen when you step away

Ghosted: Smart Presence Introduction

Ghosted: Smart Presence is a macOS menu bar app that uses your Mac's FaceTime camera for on-device presence detection. It automatically pauses media or locks your screen when you step away and resumes when you return, all without cloud storage, accounts, or tracking. Designed for focus and privacy, it works offline and respects macOS camera controls.

Key Features

On-device presence detection via FaceTime camera, no cloud or accounts
Watch Mode: pauses media playback (Safari, Chrome, system audio) when you leave
Shield Mode: automatically locks your screen when you step away
Customizable delay timers (5 sec, 15 sec, 30 sec free; up to 5 min in Pro)
Pro features: grace period re-detection, per-app rules, webhooks, and Apple Shortcuts automation

Use Cases

Open office workers who need to pause music or video when stepping away from their desk
Freelancers and remote workers who want to automatically lock their Mac for privacy in shared spaces
Developers and productivity enthusiasts who use menu bar apps to automate repetitive tasks
Anyone who forgets to pause media or lock their screen, reducing battery drain or security risks

Why Startups Use It

Startups need to maximize focus and minimize distractions. Ghosted automates mundane tasks like pausing media or locking the screen, saving time and improving security. Its privacy-first approach and no-cloud design align with startup values of efficiency and trust, making it a lightweight addition to any developer or team's workflow.

Alternative Options

Unlox, Presence, Cleanshot X (Pause feature), BetterTouchTool (set up shortcuts), AirPlay (manual mirroring)

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ghosted use cloud or require an account?

No. Ghosted performs all detection on-device using your Mac's camera. No data leaves your Mac, no account or sign-in is required.

Can I customize how long after I leave before an action triggers?

Yes. The free tier offers preset sensitivities (5, 15, 30 seconds). With a Pro subscription, you can set a custom timer from 10 to 300 seconds.

What happens when I return to my Mac?

Ghosted automatically resumes media playback (if paused) or unlocks the screen (if locked) when it detects your presence again.

Is my privacy compromised? Does the camera stream video?

No. Everything runs locally. The green camera light is system-enforced by macOS, and Ghosted respects all privacy controls. No video is streamed or stored.