Clean your keyboard. Nothing gets typed.
CleanLock locks your MacBook's keyboard and trackpad without shutting it down, so nothing reaches your open apps while you wipe the keys and the screen. No special permissions. A one-time purchase from Akaya Labs.
One-time purchase · macOS 13 or later
CleanLock
Lock your Mac while you clean
Cleaning duration
- 15s
- 30s
- 1m
- 2m
- 5m
- ∞
Press ESC 3 times to unlock
A clean keyboard in three steps.
- 01
Open from the menu bar
CleanLock lives in your menu bar. Click its icon, or press Control + Option + Command + L from any app.
- 02
Pick a duration and lock
Choose 15 seconds to 5 minutes, or ∞ to stay locked until you unlock. Every display is covered instantly.
- 03
Clean freely
Wipe the keys and the screen with a soft, dry cloth, or use compressed air. Keystrokes and clicks don't reach your open apps.
What's inside.
A small menu bar app. Its main job is locking the keyboard; the rest makes cleaning easier.
Every display covered
The lock screen spans all connected displays, so a second monitor stays locked too.
Keyboard and trackpad locked
Keystrokes and clicks don't reach your open apps while you clean. In the key-based unlock modes, the pointer is hidden too.
Lock until you are doneNew in 1.3
Pick ∞ for long cleans. The screen shows how much time has passed, and the lock opens by itself after 30 minutes.
Screen Clean
Choose this appearance in Settings and the screen turns pure black, so dust stands out. Right-click to switch to white and spot fingerprints. The text fades after a few seconds.
Keyboard Test
When you finish, press each key and watch it light up. Sticky or dead keys show right away.
Try the lock first
Open a preview of the lock screen from the panel and press ESC to leave. You see how it works before you ever lock.
Your own shortcutNew in 1.3
Lock from any app with Control + Option + Command + L, or record a shortcut of your own.
Shortcuts and automationNew in 1.3
Use the "Lock Keyboard for Cleaning" and "Open Keyboard Test" actions in the Shortcuts app, or a cleanlock://lock?duration=60 link.
Cleaning reminders
Get a reminder every 3, 5, 7 or 14 days, at the hour you choose. The "Lock Now" button on the notification starts a clean in one click.
Cleaning stats
See how many times you have cleaned and when you last did. A short sound counts down the final seconds, and you can turn it off.
Always at hand
Right-click the menu bar icon to lock for 30 seconds, 1 or 2 minutes. You can also have CleanLock start with your Mac.
13 languages
CleanLock comes in English, Turkish, German, French, Spanish, Japanese and seven more languages.
You choose how to unlock.
There are four ways to unlock early. When the timer ends, the lock opens by itself.
ESC × 3
Press ESC three times. Any other key resets the count, so it is hard to trigger while cleaning.
Timed click
Click the screen three times within the interval you set: 1, 2, 3 or 5 seconds.
3-dot sequence
Three numbered dots appear at random spots. Click 1, 2 and 3 in order.
Custom keys
Record your own key sequence, then press those keys in order to unlock.
Worth knowing before you clean.
Questions, answered.
How do I clean my MacBook keyboard without shutting it down?
Open CleanLock from the menu bar (or press Control + Option + Command + L), pick a duration and click Lock. The lock screen covers every display, and keystrokes and clicks don't reach your open apps. Wipe the keys with a dry cloth or use compressed air, then carry on where you left off.
Why not just shut down the Mac?
You can, and Apple recommends shutting down and unplugging before you wipe with a damp cloth. But your open work closes, and many MacBooks turn back on when a key is pressed. For a dry clean you do not need to shut down, which is where CleanLock comes in.
Does CleanLock lock the trackpad too?
Yes. Trackpad and mouse clicks don't reach your open apps while your Mac is locked. The pointer stays visible in the click-based unlock modes and is hidden in the key-based ones.
How do I unlock?
Wait for the timer to finish, or use your unlock mode: ESC three times (the default), a timed click, the 3-dot sequence or your own keys. With ∞ selected, CleanLock unlocks itself after 30 minutes as a safety net.
Does CleanLock need Accessibility permission?
No. CleanLock needs no Accessibility, Input Monitoring or other special permissions. It works with a full-screen lock window and can't see what you type in other apps.
Can I clean the screen too?
Yes. The Screen Clean appearance turns every display pure black so dust stands out; right-click to switch to white and spot fingerprints. It is meant for wiping with a dry cloth. If you use a damp cloth, shut down and unplug your Mac first, as Apple recommends.
Do any keys still work while the Mac is locked?
Yes. macOS handles the power button and Touch ID, brightness, volume and media keys itself, and CleanLock asks for no special permissions, so it can't block them. Brightness or volume may change while you wipe; set them back afterwards. Wipe the power button and Touch ID without pressing down.
Why CleanLock when free apps exist?
Free options exist, and if one does the job, use it. CleanLock asks for no special permissions and keeps what a clean needs in one place: four ways to unlock, Screen Clean, Keyboard Test and reminders. You pay once.
How much does CleanLock cost?
$2.99 as a DMG from this site. On the Mac App Store, the price is shown in your local currency. You pay once, with no subscription and no account. There is no free trial.
Who makes CleanLock?
CleanLock is a Mac app by Akaya Labs, the software studio of Ahmet Karaca. That is why the seller appears as Ahmet Karaca on the App Store.
Clean your keyboard with peace of mind.
Download it from the Mac App Store, or buy the DMG directly.
Requires macOS 13 Ventura or later