Deskwatch Support

Last updated: 19 October 2026

Deskwatch is a macOS menu bar app that uses your Mac's camera to notice when someone is in front of it while you are away, and sends a photo to your own Telegram. This page answers common questions. For anything else, email [email protected].

Contact

Email: [email protected] (Webgrup, Türkiye). Please include your Mac model, macOS version, Deskwatch version (Settings > About) and a short description of what happened. Never send us your bot token. We usually reply within 2 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an account?

No. There is no sign-up and we run no servers. You only need a Telegram account and your own bot (see the next question).

How do I set up Telegram?

In Telegram, open @BotFather, send /newbot and follow the steps. Copy the bot token.
In Deskwatch, open Settings > Telegram and paste the token. It is stored in your Mac's Keychain.
Open your new bot in Telegram and send it /start. Deskwatch finds your chat automatically.
Press Send test notification to check that it works.

I do not receive any photo.

Check that: the menu bar icon shows protection is on; the token is correct and the test notification arrives; the Mac is online; you sent /start to your bot; Camera access is allowed for Deskwatch in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera; and the cooldown has passed since the last alert. If the Mac was offline, Deskwatch retries a few recent photos when the connection returns.

When does Deskwatch watch?

You choose the mode: Manual (you arm and disarm it from the menu), When the screen is locked (the default) or After X minutes of inactivity. Unlocking your Mac turns protection off in the locked-screen mode. In the inactivity mode, only a screen unlock or a manual switch-off ends protection.

Does it work with the screen locked or off?

Yes, with the lid open. While protection is on, Deskwatch keeps the Mac from idle sleep (the display may still turn off). It cannot work with the lid closed or when the Mac is shut down. Keeping the Mac plugged in is recommended.

Is the camera hidden?

No. The green camera light of your Mac turns on whenever the camera is used, and the menu bar icon shows the protection state. Deskwatch is meant to protect your own device and space; see the Terms and Privacy Policy about the law and about recording other people.

What is free and what is Pro?

Free: person detection, arming modes, sensitivity, cooldown, start at login, unlimited photo alerts to your Telegram and the last 20 events in the history. Pro (a one-time purchase, not a subscription): video clips (to Telegram, a folder or an external drive), quality settings, remote commands in your bot chat, live view in a browser on your local network and a longer history.

How do I buy or restore Pro?

Open Settings > General > Deskwatch Pro. Payment is handled by Apple. To restore on another Mac with the same Apple account, use the restore option there. For refunds, use Apple's "Report a Problem" at reportaproblem.apple.com; we cannot issue refunds because Apple processes the payment.

What are the remote commands? (Pro)

Send them to your bot from your own chat: /bak (take a photo now), /canli (30-second live view in the chat), /canliizle (get the browser live view link) and /webdur (stop it), /kaydet (start recording now), /dur (stop live view and recording), /durum (protection status). Only your connected chat is obeyed. You can turn remote commands off in Settings.

How does live view in the browser work? (Pro)

Turn it on in Settings > Live view. Deskwatch shows a link and a QR code. Open it on a phone or computer on the same Wi-Fi and enter the access code. It never goes to the internet; do not forward ports on your router. Change the code in Settings if you think it leaked.

Where are videos saved?

In Pro, you choose in Settings: Telegram, a folder or external drive (Deskwatch asks you to pick it), or both. If the drive is not available, Deskwatch still sends the photo and tells you in Telegram and in the menu.

Can I record audio?

Optionally. Turn on Record audio for video clips. macOS will ask for microphone access. It is off by default.

The camera light turns on when I do not expect it.

It turns on while protection is on in a mode that is watching, when you ask for a photo or live view, or while someone views the live page. If it is on unexpectedly, turn protection off from the menu and write to us.

Why does it take false photos or miss people?

Try the sensitivity setting, a better-lit place and a position where the camera sees the chair or desk area. Detection depends on lighting and on what the camera can see; it is not a certified security system.

How do I delete my data?

Turn off the history in Settings or delete the app: history, settings and temporary files are on your Mac only. Delete photos and videos that were already sent from your own Telegram chat, and files saved on your drive yourself. We hold no data on our servers. To remove the token, delete it in Settings or delete the bot with @BotFather.

Which languages are supported?

English, Türkçe, Deutsch, Español, Français, Italiano and Português. The app follows your Mac's language.

Support