DropFormer – Auto-converts AirDropped HEIC photos to JPEG/PNG from your menu bar
https://redd.it/1raluq1
@macappsbackup

Bloom can't handle permissions ?

I'm going insane on this and I want to know if I am the problem or if Bloom is the problem.

I deal with hundreds of files in "restricted" locations like /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins for example and I was so bummed to find that I can't interact with those folders that needs permissions... In finder and QSpace Pro, I simply get a Touch ID request when trying to move out or move in files in those "sensitive" locations. In Bloom it simply says "You don't have permissions to do X in Y folder."

I know that Bloom is relatively popular so I can't believe no one complained about this already.

Of course, I added Bloom to Full Disk Access and Accessibility Permissions. Yet it doesn't change anything.

Please don't tell me I wasted 17$ on this.

And I think I'm missing something because who would market their apps "Finder Replacement" and not even handle permissions ?

I thought about sudo chown the folders but I wanna know if there is any other fix before litterally removing any access permissions from those folders.

Cheers !

https://redd.it/1ra98bz
@macappsbackup

[OS] File Architect - File and folder structures from plain text

https://redd.it/1r9xctz
@macappsbackup

Recommend some bookmark apps?

I’m tired of storing bookmarks in the browser. I’d like something I can access via a keyboard shortcut and from the menu bar.

I prefer something simple not visual like Raindrop. I don’t like that style.

Free or lifetime pricing is fine. Thanks.

https://redd.it/1rao3c6
@macappsbackup

Choosing the Best Screen recorder for MAC

I am browsing this reddit and became very confused seeing the long list of screen recorder apps. Someone provided a google sheet and I consulted with gemini to find the best match, still when I checked manually, the stats are kinda not matching what I was exactly looking for.

Must have features I have been looking for:
1. Window selection flexibility (Can do full recording, can do selected region recording, can do only app window recording)

2. Blur the background (Audience must not see what's behind the desktop background)

3. Webcam positing flexibility (With blur effect)
4. System audio selection flexibility (Multi-output/input like microphone/system audio selection or simultaneous recording)

5. Zoom (both cursor following and manual zoom flexibility)

6. Annotation tool (Mark up, arrow, highlight etc. features)

Can someone kindly recommend few apps that satisfies all my requirement? I am not looking for expensive subnoscription. Free or One time payment works well (Obs I do have, but I am not equipped with proper knowledge to use it).

7. Built with privacy focus.

I have seen screenpal, screenstudio but can someone recommend that fulfills all of the requirement?

Would be Bonus if (Not mandatory)
The app has both windows, macos support.



https://redd.it/1ra89tg
@macappsbackup

LaSearch - local private semantic search
https://lasearch.app

https://redd.it/1r9z5ne
@macappsbackup

Request to Developers - Self Service License Activation/Deactivations, Please!

EDIT: It turns out, the developer did respond (but it went to spam). Lasso does have a license manager here: https://www.thelasso.app/license-manager. It worked. I did not realize this link existed anywhere (and it would have been great if it was in the app itself). I'm leaving the original post up just as a general plea to developers, but I appreciate that Ivan (dev of Lasso) did end up reaching out.

EDIT2: It also turns out I am an idiot. I was trying to access a single user license with a personal key that gives you three devices. So...I'm sorry about all of this mess.

---

So, genuinely, to any developers reading: please build self-service license management in from the start. Your paying customers will thank you.

https://redd.it/1ra5q8g
@macappsbackup

[OS] I built a native macOS Kafka monitor — read-only by design, zero risk of accidental writes
https://github.com/Ender-Wang/Swifka

https://redd.it/1ratceh
@macappsbackup

Dockside v1.9.59 — Major Feedback-Driven Update

Hey! I’ve been away for a little while welcoming a new member to the family! After some time offline, I’m back and just released one of the bigger Dockside updates to date. This version focuses heavily on long-standing user feedback, workflow improvements, and polish across the app.

# What's Dockside?

Dockside is a customizable file shelf that sits beside your macOS Dock, giving you a convenient space to drag and drop files, folders, apps, images, videos, and text for quick access or later. You can tailor each shelf to suit your workflow and pin it to the bottom or either side of your screen—whatever fits your setup best.

[Dockside app](https://reddit.com/link/1raup7v/video/ph537s04cvkg1/player)

# Key highlights of the update

* **Left / Right Dockside placement support** (long overdue!)
* **Shelf Colours**–You can now set custom colours for your shelf
* **File stack/group support** — when dragging multiple files into the shelf, they now stay in a single stack (can be reverted in settings if you prefer the old behavior)
* **Manual ordering** of files in the Files shelf (just drag to rearrange)
* New **Quick Action popover** for bulk action and redesigned **Settings panel.**
* **Language support** expanded:
* German
* Spanish
* Chinese
* Japanese
* (request in the comments for more)

# Changelog

* [v1.9.59 (and previous releases)](https://github.com/PrajwalSD/Dockside/releases)

# Trial, Download & Pricing

* Download Dockside with a free 14-day trial: [https://hachipoo.com/dockside-app](https://hachipoo.com/dockside-app)
* One-time lifetime license: $5.99 (no subnoscriptions)
* Requirement: macOS 13.0+ / Ventura+ Also available on Homebrew

# Roadmap & Feature Requests

* [https://dockside.featurebase.app/](https://dockside.featurebase.app/)

# Prior Updates

* [2025 - Update](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1jcmlef/comment/mibjwgq/)
* [2025 - Launch](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1gadeow/comment/m4jfovy/)

# AI Disclaimer

* None

https://redd.it/1raup7v
@macappsbackup

macOS Hush — Screen Share Focus: Blur Desktop & Apps Instantly

Problem: Ever accidentally shown your messy desktop or a personal chat during a screen share?

Compare: Unlike HiddenMe or One Switch that only hide desktop icons, and Plain that just dims background windows, Hush lets you selectively blur specific apps while keeping chosen ones crystal clear — all from the menu bar. Focus Mode is the key difference: pick which apps stay visible (e.g. Terminal + VS Code), everything else gets blurred instantly.

Core features: two modes (Desktop + Focus), global hotkey, multi-display support, auto-hide Dock, 4.2 MB, no data collection.

https://preview.redd.it/eudioic4zwkg1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=d5d80dfba8f3c155e15cabbfcec1a1a29636909b

Pricing: $3.99 one-time purchase - App Store

Changelog: App Store Version History

AI Disclaimer: [None\] - AI was only used for localizing the app into other languages.

https://redd.it/1rb2oft
@macappsbackup

Looking for a Pomodoro app that actually blocks apps/sites during breaks

I’ve been trying to improve my work/break rhythm with Pomodoro timers, but here’s the weird problem I have:

I don’t need help focusing during work sessions — I can stay on task. What I can’t control is what happens during the breaks. Once that timer hits “break,” I instantly lose myself in Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc., and suddenly it’s 45 minutes later and I haven’t rested or worked

I want something that actually blocks the distracting apps/websites during the break so I don’t end up wasting the break time. Not just a notification, not just “focus mode,” but real blocking or restriction until the next work session starts.

Ideally:

• Works as a Pomodoro timer (work + break cycles)

• Lets me choose specific apps/sites to block during breaks

• Actually prevents access, not just nags me

• Free or paid

Has anyone found something like this? Or hacked together a setup (like Tasker/Shortcuts/Focus settings/extensions) that does it? Would appreciate any suggestions

https://redd.it/1rb9jkk
@macappsbackup

Looking for an Ice/Thaw alternative

As the noscript is saying i am looking for recommendations because ice is unmaintained and thaw is not really polished so i am looking for an alternative. Paid or free

https://redd.it/1rbcwbz
@macappsbackup

How I Use Alter

Alter's Notch UI Model Selection

# How I Use Alter

Alter is a complex yet versatile dictation-centric AI application. It functions as a comprehensive solution that eliminates the need for numerous other tools. It has consistently been recognized as one of the most feature-rich AI/Dictation solutions in my r/MacApps App Comparisons which sorts by raw feature count, yet its capabilities can also be overwhelming to new users. Alter can record meetings, perform agentic web searches (similar to AI browsers, but compatible with any browser), execute advanced actions and noscripts, manage files, and much more. Fundamentally, its capabilities are limited primarily by one's creativity.

I don't claim to use even a fraction of its potential, but here are a few ideas from my own everyday use for those who may find Alter daunting:  

Preamble: Shortcuts and Triggers

Complex shortcuts are inefficient, so I use [Karabiner Elements](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/) to configure the right-option key (when used in isolation) to trigger Hyperkey+\[ for alter dictate (tap) or query (hold-to-talk). Caps lock is “hyperkey,” which triggers command+control+option+shift. I can still toggle caps lock by tapping both shift keys together.
In some rare cases, I also trigger Alter with Alfred, and there are also ways to trigger queries from an iPhone app like Apollo by using an Alter API key. 

Custom Instructions:

I use custom instructions for AI use improvements including web search to verify facts, use of expert terminology, avoiding filler like apologies and meta-comments, no em dashes, instructions for link formatting, and response detail controls. [Full instructions here](https://adventailab.com/custominstructions). This is obviously also relevant for any AI service/tool.

File System Management: The Hub

You can give Alter access to select folders on your machine, and select read, read and write, or Full Access (including bash commands). It then creates a sandboxed environment to perform actions you request. I still create a backup folder if I'm doing anything crazy, and I have a robust backup system in case anything goes haywire. 

Renaming files in directories \- I like to conform certain kinds of files to YYYY-MM-DD - [Filename\] and Alter can do this quite well, though I still sometimes use the awesome Transnomino batch rename utility if the problem is less complex.
Misc. file/folder sorting and cleanup \- This works great for smaller directories. Sadly, I've not gotten it to successfully tackle my overwhelming \~130gb downloads folder. 😅 Likely a little too much context for it to reasonably handle at once.
Trannoscript / idea retrieval \- I often use a hardware recorder for meetings or activities at home. Alter allows me to recap and extract info I might need about my day.  This is imperfect, however, as Alter does not yet include citations and sometimes misses details NotebookLM would not. Some of this varies by which model you have selected, but since I so often require citations, I still end up using NotebookLM for more detailed source-critical research tasks. This is very new to Alter though, and I'm sure it will improve!
P.s. [EnoPDF](https://enopdf.com/) by u/Positive-Bell-9675 shows some serious promise here too, and I hope they keep developing it!

[The Hub: Giving File System Access](https://preview.redd.it/h3xji0yc94mg1.png?width=2290&format=png&auto=webp&s=cbf53c9e8b279679175c798c5c627f75277b9750)

Information Management:

[Built in\] Youtube Video Summary - When I'm not watching at 2-3x with video speed controller, I user Alter to 1-click summarize. 
\[Built in\] Meeting Recording, speaker detection, and action items.
[Custom\] Hyperkey+S = Summarize Active - summarize whatever

How I Use Alter

[Alter's Notch UI Model Selection](https://preview.redd.it/2zcygt0gi4mg1.jpg?width=2706&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c761edf1d76c86cc3091b6037110cac8c8ee38ee)

# How I Use Alter

[Alter](https://alterhq.com/) is a complex yet versatile dictation-centric AI application. It functions as a comprehensive solution that eliminates the need for numerous other tools. It has consistently been recognized as one of the most feature-rich AI/Dictation solutions in my r/MacApps [App Comparisons](https://adventailab.com/ai) which sorts by raw feature count, yet its capabilities can also be overwhelming to new users. Alter can record meetings, perform agentic web searches (similar to AI browsers, but compatible with any browser), execute advanced actions and noscripts, manage files, and much more. Fundamentally, its capabilities are limited primarily by one's creativity.

I don't claim to use even a fraction of its potential, but here are a few ideas from my own everyday use for those who may find Alter daunting:  

**Preamble: Shortcuts and Triggers**

* Complex shortcuts are inefficient, so I use [Karabiner Elements](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/) to configure the right-option key (when used in isolation) to trigger Hyperkey+\[ for alter dictate (tap) or query (hold-to-talk). Caps lock is “hyperkey,” which triggers command+control+option+shift. I can still toggle caps lock by tapping both shift keys together.
* In some rare cases, I also trigger Alter with Alfred, and there are also ways to trigger queries from an iPhone app like [Apollo](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apollo-powered-by-liquid/id6448019325) by using an Alter API key. 

**Custom Instructions:**

* I use custom instructions for AI use improvements including web search to verify facts, use of expert terminology, avoiding filler like apologies and meta-comments, no em dashes, instructions for link formatting, and response detail controls. [Full instructions here](https://adventailab.com/custominstructions). This is obviously also relevant for any AI service/tool.

**File System Management: The Hub**

You can give Alter access to select folders on your machine, and select read, read and write, or Full Access (including bash commands). It then creates a sandboxed environment to perform actions you request. I still create a backup folder if I'm doing anything crazy, and I have a robust backup system in case anything goes haywire. 

* **Renaming files in directories** \- I like to conform certain kinds of files to YYYY-MM-DD - \[Filename\] and Alter can do this quite well, though I still sometimes use the awesome [Transnomino](https://www.transnomino.com/) batch rename utility if the problem is less complex.
* **Misc. file/folder sorting and cleanup** \- This works great for smaller directories. Sadly, I've not gotten it to successfully tackle my overwhelming \~130gb downloads folder. 😅 Likely a little too much context for it to reasonably handle at once.
* **Trannoscript / idea retrieval** \- I often use a hardware recorder for meetings or activities at home. Alter allows me to recap and extract info I might need about my day.  This is imperfect, however, as Alter does not yet include citations and sometimes misses details NotebookLM would not. Some of this varies by which model you have selected, but since I so often require citations, I still end up using NotebookLM for more detailed source-critical research tasks. This is very new to Alter though, and I'm sure it will improve!
* P.s. [EnoPDF](https://enopdf.com/) by u/Positive-Bell-9675 shows some serious promise here too, and I hope they keep developing it!

[The Hub: Giving File System Access](https://preview.redd.it/h3xji0yc94mg1.png?width=2290&format=png&auto=webp&s=cbf53c9e8b279679175c798c5c627f75277b9750)

**Information Management:**

* \[Built in\] Youtube Video Summary - When I'm not watching at 2-3x with video speed controller, I user Alter to 1-click summarize. 
* \[Built in\] Meeting Recording, speaker detection, and action items.
* \[Custom\] Hyperkey+S = Summarize Active - summarize whatever

is open (Web Articles, Newsletters, Files)

**Writing/Research Support:**

* \[Built in\] Dynamic Dictation (cleans up what I say and acts on stated formatting changes)
* \[Custom\] Hyperkey+V = Clarity improvement for text selection or clipboard content without changing my style or “voice.” - [Prompt](https://adventailab.com/clarity)
* \[Custom\] Hyperkey+X = Maximize Brevity for text selection or clipboard content. Great for cutting text down to the shortest possible explanation. - [Prompt](https://www.adventailab.com/brevity)
* \[Custom\] The Negotiator - I have a much more detailed prompt that uses proven negotiation strategies to revise and improve high-stakes communication.
* \[Custom\] Presentation Crafter - I can add a class lecture or manunoscript to instantly create bullet points for x number of slides. I originally created this as a [GPT](https://chatgpt.com/g/g-679fd6062ff881919b3f93d5194c2067-presentation-crafter), and then ported it into Alter.
* \[Custom\] Bible tools - Over time, I have created a few GPTs that help people think through and [study](https://chatgpt.com/g/g-iiEqVoqkp-studydeeper-bible-study-coach) in various [ways](https://chatgpt.com/g/g-68a0ad72b84c8191aa1941bf5d55b662-bible-framework-explorer). I’ve ultimately ported those into Alter. 
* \[Custom\] Bibliography/Citation lookups - To help speed up academic research, I can select a list of sources and Alter will immediately give me a list of links to them. - [Prompt](https://www.adventailab.com/bibliographylinker)
* \[Built in\] Keynote Slide Generator - Creates slides based on provided content.

**Scheduling:**

* \[Built in\] Dictate to quickly Add/Remove or List upcoming reminders and Calendar items. This has essentially replaced my need to use BusyCal to add events/reminders.

**Pros:**

* Rapid development with fun new features every week, and a super responsive dev team! It's like Christmas every Friday!
* Transparent provider [privacy details](https://alterhq.com/privacy-policy).
* The only lifetime tier AI App offering that INCLUDES lifetime API usage to 80+ AI models for all sorts of things at no additional cost with a decent fair usage policy (no coding).
* Hub chat interface interacts with your file system in a relatively safe, sandboxed way. No openclaw disasters waiting to happen. 
* The limit is your imagination, but there's also a pretty strong community on [discord](https://discord.gg/gvCMmfBRWZ) if you get stuck.

**Cons** (which I'm sure will improve eventually)**:**

* It's still in beta - Some persistent bugs remain (e.g. 1-sec dictation lag on bluetooth, minor notch display positioning issues with multiple monitors).
* No citations in the hub chat yet, so there is still a lot of searching and finding based on file system queries.
* Alter separates out their own OCR and provides that along with files you attach as context, so some OCR tasks perform poorly compared to if the online AI model handled it solo.

I was not asked to review or promote this, but I did ask the devs to provide a promo code for this review: MACAPPS10 (**10% off**, I believe). I'm sure they'll be able to answer questions as well. Give their trial a try if nothing else, it's well worth it once you adapt to a new way of interacting with your Mac.

If you use [Alter](https://alterhq.com/), please share your top use case(s)! If you're not sure where to start, check out their [youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@UseAlter/featured).

**Other posts in this series:**
\- [How I use BetterTouchTool](https://www.reddit.com/r/macapps/comments/1ozk2u0/how_i_use_bettertouchtool/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)

https://redd.it/1rgly5g
@macappsbackup

OCR Options for macOS - On Screen, In Images, On the Clipboard, In PDFs

When you're faced with text that you can't select in the conventional way on your Mac (meaning with the cursor), there are several options. They all work in slightly different ways, and I use the one most appropriate for the task.

# Live Text Recognition

The operating system has a feature called **Live Text Recognition** , an on-device computer vision feature that detects and extracts text from images and video so you can interact with it like normal text.

It uses Apple's Neural Engine to perform optical character recognition; OCR, directly on your Mac. That means you can:

* Select and copy text from photos in **Finder**, **Preview**, **Photos**, or screenshots
* Click phone numbers to call via iPhone integration
* Translate detected text instantly
* Look up addresses, track packages, or search highlighted words

The key idea is this: pixels become selectable characters without sending your data to the cloud. It quietly turns static images into searchable, actionable information.

# Cleanshot X

My go to choice is [Cleanshot X](https://appaddict.app/post/cleanshot-x), mainly because it's always running on my Mac anyway. Live Text Recognition requires you to open an image in an app like Preview first. Cleanshot X let's you select any region and get text immediately. The downside is that Cleanshot X is a paid app.

# Raycast

There is a [Raycast](https://appaddict.app/post/how-to-get-the-most-from-raycast) extension called \*\*Easy OCR \*\*that combines the features of Live Text Recognition and Cleanshot X. After you invoke it, Easy OCR can be used on an image you've already captured, the clipboard or an area you select on screen. Just search for it in the Raycast Store. **(Free)**

# Text Sniper

https://preview.redd.it/29xkufgus7mg1.jpg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04e77ac36a283dec10f50be0230a31e0b9293892

Even if you have the tools previously mentioned, there should still be room in your toolbox for [TextSniper,](https://textsniper.app/) an OCR app for YouTube videos, PDFs, images, online courses, screencasts, presentations, webpages, video tutorials, photos, etc. Like Cleanshot X, you don't have to make screen captures and open them in Preview to grab text. In my experience it works better than alternatives like PDF Pen, Adobe products, Google Docs etc. As long as you can draw a rectangle around the text, it doesn't matter if it's rotating, angled or shadowed.

**Unique Features**

* Removes line breaks
* Built-in text to speech
* Additive clipboard feature if the text you are trying to capture can't obtained on one go
* Removes hyphens from words divided across a line.
* Decodes standard bar and QR codes. Enabling a keyboard shortcut lets you turn those into numbers.

Text Sniper is currently [on sale for $2.](https://appaddict.app/post/bundlehunt-s-first-sale-of-2026-is-live-lifetime-licenses-only) That should be a no brainer. It is also available as part of SetApp.

# OCRmyPDF

OCRmyPDF is an open-source command-line tool that **adds a text layer** to scanned PDFs while keeping the image intact. It creates **searchable PDF/A** output. You can use it via [this Apple Shortcut.](https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/733adc2e2add42a89d00a889dbdef244).

https://redd.it/1rgzllm
@macappsbackup

macOS Unfold - Quick Look for Folders, Archives, Source Code and multiple other file formats

Hiya peeps!

A little while ago I made a post here asking about Unfold and what extensions people would want to preview using Quick Look. The feedback was genuinely helpful and shaped a lot of decisions while building Unfold, so thank you to everyone who shared suggestions

Unfold is something my friend (u/isolume) and I built to make Quick Look more capable when working with folders, archives, source code, and other unsupported file types.

Problem:

Quick Look extensions on macOS are fairly fragmented - most plugins support only a single format, some are outdated or abandoned, and managing multiple extensions just to preview different files quickly becomes messy. Customization is also often limited or inconsistent.

Comparison:

As compared to existing solutions, Unfold takes a consolidated approach by supporting folders, archives, source code, markdown, ebooks, and several other formats within a single Quick Look extension.

Notable Features:

Folder previews (3 layout styles)
Archive previews: ZIP, RAR, TAR, 7Z + multipart archives (r00)
CBZ / CBR / EPUB previews with Table of Contents
Markdown previews with TOC, Mermaid diagrams, math equations & syntax highlighting
Source code previews with syntax highlighting, line numbers & text selection

[Unfold QuickLook Demo \(Light Mode\)](https://preview.redd.it/a7gaet06l9mg1.png?width=2940&format=png&auto=webp&s=bf9f3d96a4a0ac4d66cc19857e51097a3f1f1c69)

Privacy Note:

Unfold runs fully sandboxed. All previews happen locally on your device, and the app only makes network requests for license verification.

Pricing and Purchase:

$7 lifetime (30% launch discount — regular price $10)
One-time purchase including all future updates.
7 Day Trial included (no CC info required)

Website: https://flew.gg/projects/unfold
App Store version is currently on the way and should be available soon.

Changelog: https://flew.gg/projects/unfold/changelog

Feature Request: https://features.flew.gg/

AI Disclaimer: Code Completion + Tests generation

Edit: Added missing trial information.

https://redd.it/1rh7fhy
@macappsbackup

Keeper - Fast photo culling (Alternative to Aftershoot, Photo Mechanics)

https://redd.it/1rgx8d5
@macappsbackup

Octavo — turn PDFs into booklets

Today I'm releasing Octavo, my first indie app since I left big tech last year.

# The problem it solves:

PDF imposition — which is a term from the printing industry for arranging pages onto sheets so they're in the right order after folding. Essentially it lets you make booklets, along with a bunch of other features for cleaning up and laying out your PDFs.

# Comparison:

Some printer drivers let you make booklets, but they usually offer no control over placement or margins.

InDesign has a booklet making output, but it requires your content to already be in InDesign, and all the properties are set numerically with the preview on a different tab.

My closest competitor app is probably Create Booklet 2. We've mostly got feature parity I think, but I believe Octavo's multi-pane task based interface plus ability to visually drag margins makes it easier to use. Also, Octavo has a source cleanup step before getting to the point of laying out pages, which lets you correct for bad scans before placing them for printing.

# Pricing:

$25 lifetime license. Website; Mac App Store

Octavo is a free download with the unlock via in-app purchase: in the free version you can make mini zines, and you can try out all the other imposition styles (like booklets) with a banner added to the printouts/exports.

# Roadmap:

Octavo is fairly complete, and feature additions will depend on user feedback. The main thing I didn't get time for in version 1 is creep compensation.

My philosophy with pay-once consumer software, however, is that you shouldn't buy it based on future features. Octavo lets you try it out before buying, so you can see if it meets your needs!

# AI Disclaimer:

Use in development: Code completion.

There are no AI features in the app.

# Other notes:

This is an 'old school' Mac app built in AppKit. I've been a developer on Apple platforms for a long time, since well before the iPhone came on the scene. I tried to capture the 'soul' of a good Mac app rather than adding cross-platform compromises. (Not to say those compromises are never the right answer — I was lucky here that printing is something people tend to do on the Mac, so I didn't have to worry about limiting my audience!).

https://redd.it/1rg7l93
@macappsbackup

TogglePresent - distraction-free screen sharing for macOS

MacOS app I built to fix one tiny but stressful problem: screen sharing anxiety.

The problem it solves:
When you're presenting on Zoom, Google Meet, or in-person via AirPlay, your desktop becomes public. Notifications pop up. Private tabs are visible. The wrong window gets shared. You’re constantly thinking about what might show up instead of focusing on what you're saying.

TogglePresent creates a clean, controlled presentation environment on your Mac. Hide distractions. Control what’s visible. Present with confidence.

Comparison:
You can manually turn on Do Not Disturb, hide your Dock, close apps, and reorganize windows every time.

Or you can use built-in presentation modes in apps like Zoom or Google Meet, but they don’t give you system-level control over your desktop.

Some people create a separate macOS user just for presenting. That works… but it’s friction-heavy.

TogglePresent is designed to be instant. One toggle. Clean screen. No mental overhead.

Pricing:
$4.99 lifetime license
TogglePresent

Roadmap:
Version 1 focuses on rock-solid presentation mode switching.

That said, I believe in shipping complete, useful software. You shouldn’t buy it based on promises. If it solves your problem today, great. If not, no pressure.

AI Disclaimer:
Use in development: Code completion.

There are no AI features in the app.

Other notes:
This is a focused, native macOS app built with Apple frameworks, lightweight, fast, and designed to feel at home on the Mac. No electron wrappers, no unnecessary background services. Just a tool that does one job extremely well.

If you present often, whether you’re a founder, student, teacher, or indie dev, I built this for you.

https://redd.it/1rgduit
@macappsbackup

favorite lifetime purchase mac apps?

I’ve been rethinking how I spend money on software lately.



Instead of piling on more subnoscriptions, I’m starting to look for apps that offer lifetime purchases. The kind you buy once, set up properly, and just keep using for years without thinking about it.



So far, two that have been absolutely worth it for me:



Alfred: basically the backbone of how I use my Mac at this point. Workflows alone make it worth it.
BetterTouchTool: insane level of customization for gestures, window management, shortcuts, etc it makes everything feel more “mine.”





I’m curious what other lifetime purchases people here feel great about long term. Not apps that were cool for six months, but tools you still use daily or weekly years later and would happily buy again.



Especially interested in:



Productivity tools
Dev tools
Creative utilities
Anything that improves focus or flow





What are your “buy once, never regret” apps?

https://redd.it/1rhd9x5
@macappsbackup