Is Gaze made by Apple?

No. Gaze is an independent open-source project and is not affiliated with Apple.

Can I use Gaze instead of Touch ID?

It does not replace anything. Your password and Touch ID keep working, and Gaze submits your saved password only when its recognition and movement checks pass.

Does it send my face anywhere?

No. Recognition runs on your Mac, face data stays encrypted on your Mac, and nothing is uploaded.

Does it work in the dark?

Not reliably. Face ID uses infrared and works in the dark; Gaze uses your Mac's regular camera, so it needs some light on your face.

Face ID for Mac

Macs don't have Face ID. Here is the closest thing, and exactly how it differs.

Does the Mac have Face ID?

No. Face ID needs Apple's TrueDepth camera, which is only on iPhone and iPad Pro. Macs unlock with Touch ID or a password.

Gaze: face unlock with your Mac's camera

Gaze recognizes your face with the camera your Mac already has. Before unlocking, it asks you for a small movement: a nod, a blink, or a turn. It then types your stored login password for you. Your face data stays on your Mac.

Free and open source
Recognition runs on your Mac
Asks you to nod, blink or turn before unlocking
Your password and Touch ID keep working
Requires macOS 26 on Apple silicon or Intel

Gaze vs Face ID

How Gaze compares to Apple's Face ID
Feature	Face ID	Gaze
Camera	TrueDepth infrared depth camera	Regular built-in camera
Works in the dark	Yes	Needs some light
Can a photo fool it	Very unlikely	Harder with the movement prompt, but possible
Where data lives	Secure Enclave on device	Encrypted on your Mac
Cost	Built in	Free

Is it safe?

Gaze keeps your face data encrypted on your Mac and never uploads it. But a regular camera cannot tell a face from a good photo as reliably as Face ID's depth sensing, so a photo or video may still fool it.

Read about security

Questions

Is Gaze made by Apple?: No. Gaze is an independent open-source project and is not affiliated with Apple.
Can I use Gaze instead of Touch ID?: It does not replace anything. Your password and Touch ID keep working, and Gaze submits your saved password only when its recognition and movement checks pass.
Does it send my face anywhere?: No. Recognition runs on your Mac, face data stays encrypted on your Mac, and nothing is uploaded.
Does it work in the dark?: Not reliably. Face ID uses infrared and works in the dark; Gaze uses your Mac's regular camera, so it needs some light on your face.

Unlock your Mac with your face.

Download160

GitHub12

Free and open source · macOS 26 or later · Apple silicon or Intel

Face ID and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc. Gaze is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple.