CleanLock Support

The lock ends on its own when the timer runs out. To end it early, use your unlock mode: press ESC three times (the default), click the screen three times within a short interval, tap the three numbered dots in order, or press your custom key combination. You can change the mode from the gear icon in the CleanLock popover.

No. CleanLock needs no special permissions. It covers every connected display with a full-screen overlay and keeps focus there (Command-Tab, Command-Q and Force Quit are blocked while it runs), so it never has to read your keystrokes.

Yes. Clicks on the trackpad or mouse do nothing while the lock is on. The pointer can still move — that is expected — but only the unlock gesture you chose has any effect.

Keys that macOS handles at the system level — the power button and Touch ID, brightness, volume and media keys — can still act, because no app is allowed to block them. To clean those keys too, put your Mac to sleep (or shut it down) first.

Open CleanLock from the menu bar and pick 15 s, 30 s, 1 min, 2 min or 5 min before you press Lock. Choose ∞ to stay locked until you unlock; for safety, CleanLock unlocks itself after 30 minutes. A progress ring on the lock screen shows the remaining time.

Yes. In settings (the gear icon), choose "Custom Keys" as your unlock mode and record any key combination. The global lock shortcut is Control + Option + Command + L by default, and you can record your own in the same place.

Yes. CleanLock adds "Lock Keyboard for Cleaning" and "Open Keyboard Test" actions to the Shortcuts app. You can also open a cleanlock://lock?duration=60 link, where duration is in seconds.

If your menu bar is crowded, or the notch hides part of it, the CleanLock icon may be out of view. Quit a few menu bar apps to make room, and on newer macOS versions check System Settings → Menu Bar to make sure CleanLock is allowed. In the meantime you can always lock with your global shortcut (Control + Option + Command + L by default).

Yes. CleanLock runs natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

CleanLock requires macOS 13 Ventura or later.

If you bought it on the Mac App Store, open the App Store, go to your purchases and download CleanLock again with the same Apple ID — there is no extra charge. If you bought the DMG, download it again and enter your license key; you can manage or deactivate earlier activations from the link in your LemonSqueezy receipt email.