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Requirements

• MacGuard for Mac: macOS 14 or later on an Apple silicon MacBook; the Mac download is free. Motion and lid sensor availability varies by model and is verified in the Mac app after helper authorization.
• MacGuard for iPhone and iPad: iOS/iPadOS 17 or later; the companion is a one-time App Store purchase with no subscription. Apple displays the applicable localized price.
• Internet access is required for pairing, remote push alerts, cloud Alert History, and cloud JPEG evidence.
• The local Mac alarm and local incident recording do not depend on Firebase being reachable.

Install the Mac app

1. Download the signed and notarized MacGuard DMG from the official Download page.
2. Open the DMG and move MacGuard to Applications.
3. Open MacGuard and follow the macOS permission prompts for the protections you want.
4. Open MacGuard Settings → Motion Helper, choose Enable Motion Helper…, and complete macOS’s one-time administrator/background-item approval. If required, allow MacGuard in System Settings → General → Login Items (or Login Items & Extensions).

Software updates

Open MacGuard Settings → MacGuard Info and choose Check for Updates…. Automatic checks are enabled by default for users without a saved preference and can be disabled or re-enabled there. MacGuard does not download or install updates silently. Checks and installation are unavailable while protection is active or camera/evidence work is in progress; disarm and let that work finish first. The signed and notarized website DMG remains the manual recovery method.

Pair an iPhone or iPad

1. Install MacGuard from the App Store on the iPhone or iPad and allow notifications.
2. On the Mac, open MacGuard from the menu bar and select Pair… in the iPhone / iPad row.
3. In the companion app, select Scan QR or Enter Code and submit the displayed 10-digit code.
4. Compare the 6-digit verification number shown on both devices.
5. Select Approve Device on the Mac. Pairing is not complete until the Mac approves it.

Pairing codes are single-use and expire after about five minutes.

Alerts and Camera Evidence

The local siren is enabled by default and starts independently of the cloud service. You can turn Play local siren when alarm triggers off while disarmed for silent testing. Triggers, enabled Camera Evidence, and enabled companion reporting continue, but the Mac makes no alarm sound; an orange warning remains visible while the setting is off. If a paired companion and internet connection are available, MacGuard can send an alert through the cloud. A “sent” status means the push provider accepted it; it does not prove the notification was displayed on the device.

When Camera Evidence is enabled, the camera becomes active during the arming countdown and remains active while protection is armed so it is ready after the screen locks; macOS shows its camera-use indicator. Pre-trigger frames are discarded and are not recorded, analyzed for faces, or uploaded. After an alarm triggers, MacGuard can create up to about 20 seconds of camera-only local video. When successfully recorded, incident video is saved only on the Mac and is never uploaded; local retention and deletion settings may later remove it. Face-presence detection runs locally and does not identify anyone. Up to three compressed JPEG photos may be stored privately for the paired companion to view through authenticated access.

Deleting evidence

• On Mac, choose Delete All Local Videos and complete device-owner authentication.
• On the companion, open an alert, choose the cloud-photo deletion action, then complete Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode authentication.

Local videos and cloud evidence have independent retention. Unpairing does not itself delete an alert timeline.

Custom notification sounds

Choose a WAV, AIFF/AIF, or CAF file encoded as Linear PCM, IMA4, µLaw, or aLaw and strictly shorter than 30 seconds. MacGuard validates and copies the file; it does not shorten, convert, or modify the original. The audio content is not uploaded.

Troubleshooting

Contact support

Email support@getmacguard.com and include the MacGuard version, macOS/iOS/iPadOS version, Mac and companion model, and a description of what happened.