According to the source review from Digital Trends Computing, FaceGate is an innovative free and open-source application for macOS that enables locking individual apps using Face Unlock, Touch ID, or password options with all recognition processing done locally on the device. This feature addresses a longstanding privacy gap on Macs since Apple’s native app locking is absent despite iOS having similar controls since iOS 18.
- Locks individual macOS apps with Face Unlock or Touch ID
- Processes all biometric authentication locally without cloud data
- Free, open-source, and customizable locking schedules
Product angle
The Digital Trends review highlights FaceGate as a notable solution for enhancing macOS privacy by introducing app-level locks, a feature not natively available on Macs. Unlike hardware-based Face ID on iPhones, FaceGate uses a software approach that runs entirely offline on the Mac's Apple Silicon, combining convenience with reasonable protection by enforcing a head movement challenge to verify liveness. This unique adaptation reflects a significant step for users concerned with private data exposure when sharing their device temporarily.
FaceGate also excels in privacy and security design by encrypting facial data on-device and integrating with macOS Keychain for password management. Users gain granular control over locking policies, such as auto-lock on sleep or screen lock and the ability to configure locking duration. The app’s tamper protection prevents unauthorized disabling, making it a robust enhancement to Mac privacy for daily users who want specific app protections rather than a single system lock.
Best for / avoid if
FaceGate is best suited for macOS users who frequently share their computer briefly with others or want to secure sensitive applications individually without relying on a full system lock. It is ideal for those who appreciate open-source software and value local processing of biometric data for privacy reasons. Users with Apple Silicon Macs will benefit most since the face recognition pipeline depends on the Neural Engine for performance and offline operation.
Users who should avoid FaceGate include those on Intel-based Macs where the face recognition performance or availability may be limited, or those requiring foolproof biometric security since the software-based Face Unlock does not match the robustness of hardware Face ID. If a user prefers a completely hands-free biometric login experience or has no Touch ID support, relying solely on passwords might be less convenient. Additionally, individuals uncomfortable with Terminal commands during installation might face minor setup complexity.
Pricing and alternatives to check
FaceGate is completely free and open source, with no subscriptions or user accounts required, removing financial and privacy barriers for adoption. It allows users to securely delete biometric data at any time and does not transmit any data externally. Installation can be done via an automated Terminal script, downloading a DMG file, or using Homebrew cask, making it accessible to varying comfort levels with macOS command line.
Alternatives for app-level locking on macOS are currently limited, especially for free options with biometric support. Some paid apps offer password-based locking, but none provide the unique offline Face Unlock feature FaceGate introduces. For users seeking native Apple integration, the iOS 18 update enables app locking on iPhones but macOS users must rely on third-party solutions like FaceGate or more general system-level locks until Apple adds similar functionality.