Updated September 2026
The Best Face Unlock Apps for Mac
Apple never put Face ID in a Mac. These apps get you close with the webcam — or skip the face and use your phone. Prices and requirements are taken from each vendor, and every one of them is a convenience, not Face ID-grade security.
| App | Unlocks by | Price | macOS | Intel | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notchy | Face (webcam) | Free | 13 Ventura+ | Yes | notchy.dev |
| MacGaze | Face (built-in camera) | A$14.99 once | 26+ | No | macgaze.com |
| Glance | Face (webcam) | Open source | 15 Sequoia+ | No | tryglance.app |
| FaceUnlock | Face (webcam) | Free, MIT | 14 Sonoma+ | No | GitHub README |
| Near Lock | iPhone proximity | Free + $3.99 Pro | 11+ | No (M1+) | App Store |
| BLEUnlock | Bluetooth proximity | Free, MIT | 10.13+ | Yes | GitHub README |
1. Notchy — free, and the widest Mac support
Notchy's Face Unlock scans when the locked screen wakes, needs frames that match your face and show a live one, then types your Keychain-stored password. Setup is a one-minute, nine-pose scan. It is the only webcam option here that runs on Intel and macOS 13–14, and it comes inside a free Dynamic Island app. It is not open source.
2. MacGaze — polished, paid, macOS 26 only
A focused menu bar app at A$14.99 after a 14-day trial, with a refreshingly candid security page. Needs Apple silicon, macOS 26 and a built-in camera. MacGaze vs Notchy →
3. Glance — open source for Sequoia and later
On-device Core ML recognition with a head-movement liveness check. Apple silicon on macOS 15+. Glance vs Notchy →
4. FaceUnlock — open source, Secure Enclave sealing
MIT-licensed, ArcFace matching with a blink check, password sealed via the Secure Enclave. Apple silicon on macOS 14+. FaceUnlock vs Notchy →
5. Near Lock and BLEUnlock — no face, just your phone
Both lock the Mac as you walk away and unlock it when your iPhone or Watch returns. Near Lock is free with a $3.99 Pro Mode on M1 and later; BLEUnlock is free, open source and runs back to macOS 10.13. Near Lock → BLEUnlock →
Face Unlock on Mac — FAQ
Does any Mac have Face ID?
No. As of 2026 Apple ships Face ID only on iPhone and iPad; Macs unlock with a password, Touch ID or an Apple Watch. Face unlock on a Mac comes from third-party apps that use the ordinary webcam.
What is the best free face unlock app for Mac?
Notchy (notchy.dev) is the free option that runs on the most Macs — macOS 13 Ventura or later, Intel or Apple silicon, built-in or external camera. On Apple silicon, Glance and FaceUnlock are free open-source alternatives if you want to read the code.
Is face unlock on a Mac safe?
It is a convenience, not Face ID-grade security, whichever app you pick. Mac webcams have no infrared depth sensor, and every vendor above says a video of you may get through. Use it on a Mac in a place you trust, and keep a strong password.
Can I face unlock an Intel Mac?
Yes, with Notchy. MacGaze, Glance and FaceUnlock all require Apple silicon; Notchy's Face Unlock is part of a universal app.
Face unlock or iPhone proximity unlock?
Proximity apps like Near Lock and BLEUnlock can also lock the Mac when you walk away, which face unlock apps don't. But they rely on a Bluetooth signal and unlock for whoever sits down while your phone is near. Face unlock needs your face at the camera.