ScreenFocus

Free plan Mac

What ScreenFocus is

ScreenFocus is a free, open-source macOS menu-bar utility for moving keyboard focus between displays. When the pointer crosses to another connected display, it focuses the window beneath the pointer. If windows overlap, it chooses the topmost usable destination instead of raising a larger background window. When no suitable window is under the pointer, a transparent focus-guard window helps stop ordinary typing from reaching a text field on the previous display. You can mark displays with a full border or corner markers, adjusting color, edge gap, thickness, and opacity, and hide the overlay without disabling focus transfer. ScreenFocus does not intercept global keyboard events, leaving shortcuts from macOS, Raycast, Karabiner-Elements, and Logitech software available. It can pause automatically with one display and resume when a second reconnects. macOS 14 or later is required on Apple Silicon or Intel Macs. Accessibility access is required; Screen Recording and Input Monitoring are not.

Who it suits

It suits Mac users who move a pointer between multiple displays and want focus to follow it. It is also relevant to people seeking local-only, open-source software with configurable display indicators.

What it does well

Free and open source
Focuses the topmost usable overlapping window
Configurable border or corner markers
Does not intercept global keyboard shortcuts
Runs locally without analytics or telemetry

What to know first

Requires macOS 14 or later
Accessibility permission is required
Official releases are not Apple-notarized
Supports macOS only

Verdict

ScreenFocus targets a specific multi-display focus problem with window selection, empty-desktop protection, and optional visual cues. Its macOS requirement and Accessibility permission should be checked before installation.

Facts from ScreenFocus's own pages

Compatibility: The app requires macOS 14 or later and supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Data handling: The app does not capture display pixels, take screenshots, use OCR, log global keystrokes, or capture audio; it stores preferences in macOS UserDefaults. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Display behavior: ScreenFocus can pause automatically when only one display is connected and resume when another display reconnects. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Display highlight: It can show a full-display border or corner markers, with configurable color, edge gap, thickness, and opacity. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Distribution: The maker provides downloadable ZIP releases and says the app is locally signed rather than Apple-notarized. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Empty desktop: When no suitable window is under the pointer, a transparent focus-guard window prevents ordinary typing from going to a text field on the previous display. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
Empty space: When no suitable window is under the pointer, it activates a transparent focus-guard window to protect the previous text field from ordinary typing. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Highlights: It shows a configurable display border or corner markers, and can hide the overlay while keeping focus transfer enabled. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026
License: The source code and build scripts use the Mozilla Public License 2.0, while official prebuilt releases are also subject to an End User License Agreement. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Local data: The app stores its preferences in macOS UserDefaults, including overlay settings, focus-transfer state, and launch-at-login preference. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Maker: The repository credits Rohit Das; his personal site identifies him as being in Uttarpara, India. · therohitdas.com, 5 Oct 2026
Permissions: Focus transfer requires macOS Accessibility permission; ScreenFocus says it does not require Screen Recording or Input Monitoring permission. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Privacy: The maker describes ScreenFocus as local-only and says it makes no network requests and collects no analytics or telemetry. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: ScreenFocus is a native macOS menu-bar utility that moves keyboard focus to the window under the pointer when it crosses to another display. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Shortcuts: It does not intercept global keyboard events, so system-wide shortcuts from macOS, Raycast, Karabiner-Elements, and Logitech software remain available. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The Help page asks users reporting a problem to include their macOS version, Mac model and processor, display arrangement, and relevant app and menu status. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
System requirements: The app requires macOS 14 or later and supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Window handling: When destination windows overlap, ScreenFocus focuses the topmost overlapping window. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Window stacking: When the pointer is over an overlapped window, it focuses the topmost usable window instead of raising a larger background window. · github.com, 5 Oct 2026

Where ScreenFocus stands on Freedom251

Window Management Software#38 of 65