SessionGuard
SessionGuard
Stay-awake for macOS
Download

Keep your Mac session awake.

A discreet menu bar utility that simulates tiny mouse micro-movements when you are idle — so a screen share, a long meeting, or a waiting job does not lose the login session to sleep or lock.

Guard starts Inactive at every launch. You turn it on for this session — until you stop it, or until a timed session ends.

Download DMG Explore features
macOS 13+
Menu bar
Timed sessions
Privacy-friendly

Glanceable, tunable, honest

Everything you need to keep a login session alive — without becoming a bulky stay-awake suite.

Menu bar status

Outline shield when Inactive, filled when Active, remaining time during a Timed Session, slashed shield if Accessibility is missing.

True user activity

Mouse movement and keyboard key-down reset idle. Micro-movements do not count as activity, so the pointer does not twitch on camera while you type.

Timed sessions

Start Until Turned Off, or 15m / 30m / 1h / 2h / 4h / 8h. When time hits zero, Guard becomes Inactive.

Idle and jiggle settings

Choose Idle Threshold (15s–2m) and Jiggle Interval. Settings persist. Guard itself does not turn back on after launch.

Accessibility onboarding

The first Session explains why Accessibility is required and opens System Settings. No silent first twitch.

Privacy-friendly

No accounts, no tracking. The app works locally. This site is static.

How it works

Idle, then a 1-pixel move and return. That is enough for macOS to treat you as present.

  1. 1

    Start a Session

    Open the menu bar extra. Choose Until Turned Off or a timed duration.

  2. 2

    Stay idle — or keep working

    Typing or moving the mouse resets idle. After the Idle Threshold with no User Activity, a Micro-movement may run.

  3. 3

    Micro-movement

    The pointer moves 1 pixel and returns. Then SessionGuard waits the Jiggle Interval and checks idle again.

Quick Start

From install to an Active Session in a few minutes.

  1. 1

    Install

    Download the DMG, drag SessionGuard to Applications, and open it.

  2. 2

    Grant Accessibility

    Start a Session. When asked, enable Accessibility in System Settings, then start the Session again.

  3. 3

    Choose duration

    Until Turned Off for an open-ended session, or a timed preset for one meeting.

  4. 4

    Glance the icon

    Filled shield means Active. Remaining time shows during a Timed Session. Outline means Inactive.

Download SessionGuard

Get the latest DMG for macOS.

Download DMG
Free to use — including for businesses.
Install
  1. Download the DMG
  2. Drag SessionGuard to Applications
  3. Open SessionGuard
  4. Grant Accessibility when asked, then start a Session

FAQ

Permissions, privacy, and what SessionGuard does not do.

Why does SessionGuard request Accessibility?
macOS requires Accessibility to synthesize pointer events and to observe keyboard activity without recording keys. Without it, Guard cannot Micro-move.
Is my data collected or sent anywhere?
No. This site is static. The app has no accounts and does not send activity data.
Does it keep a Mac awake with the lid closed?
No. SessionGuard keeps a login session alive while the Mac is in use with the lid open. It is not a closed-lid server stay-awake tool.
Does Guard turn itself back on after login?
No. Launch always starts Inactive, even if Start at Login is on. You start a Session when you need it.
Will typing trigger a Micro-movement?
No. Keyboard key-down is User Activity and resets idle. Micro-movements themselves are ignored so they do not retrigger idle.
How do I update?
Download the latest DMG from this site and replace SessionGuard in Applications.

Feedback

Send a quick note — it opens in your email app.