dweep-desai/FaceGate-Mac
World's first Face Authentication enabled MacOS App-locker, completely free and open-source. Unlock your Mac apps using Face , TouchID or password. Completely local and encrypted - your data never leaves your Mac
What it solves
FaceGate provides application-level locking for macOS, filling a gap in the operating system's native capabilities. It prevents unauthorized access to sensitive apps by requiring authentication before they can be launched.
How it works
The app intercepts application launches in real-time. It uses a software-based face embedding pipeline that runs locally on the Mac via the Apple Neural Engine to recognize users. To prevent spoofing via photos or videos, it employs liveness detection through head-pose challenges (asking the user to tilt or turn their head). It also supports Touch ID and encrypted passwords as fallback authentication methods.
Who it’s for
Mac users who want to secure specific applications from casual physical access without needing to lock their entire computer.
Highlights
- On-Device Processing: Face recognition and embeddings are processed locally with zero telemetry.
- Liveness Detection: Uses head-pose challenges to stop photo/video spoofing.
- Flexible Authentication: Supports face unlock, Touch ID, and encrypted PINs.
- Advanced Locking Controls: Includes per-app session timers, scheduled lock/unlock windows, and automatic locking on sleep.
- Hardware Support: Compatible with both built-in cameras and external USB webcams.