Unlock and approve everything with a glance.
GlanceKey makes Face ID on your iPhone the one way you prove it’s you, on your Mac and on your Linux machines. Unlock the screen, approve sudo, fill in a password prompt: look at your phone and it’s done, wherever you are.
Your face is the key to all your computers
Every machine has its own way in: a password here, a fingerprint there, another prompt on the next one. GlanceKey replaces them with one that’s always in your pocket.
One way to prove it’s you
The same Face ID on every Mac and Linux machine you use, for unlocking and for approving. You stop typing your password, and you always see what you’re saying yes to.
Made for working with agents
AI agents now run on several of your machines at once, and they keep stopping at sudo and password prompts. Each prompt shows up on your iPhone with exactly what’s asking, and you approve it with a glance, without walking over to that machine.
Simply faster
Unlocking your Mac by looking at your phone beats typing a password, and it doesn’t depend on a fingerprint reader recognizing dry or worn fingers.
What it does
Your computer asks, your iPhone answers. Typing your password becomes the fallback.
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Unlock from anywhere
Wi‑Fi, 5G or the other side of the world. Your computer keeps a connection out to a relay, so your iPhone reaches it from any network. No Bluetooth, no shared Wi‑Fi.
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Approve sudo
sudo waits for your iPhone, which shows the exact command. Tap Approve and look at your phone. Deny it or ignore it and you type your password as usual. On Linux, admin dialogs too.
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Fill in Mac password prompts
When 1Password, Safari passwords, System Settings or an installer asks for your Mac password, approve it on your iPhone and GlanceKey fills it in.
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All your computers
Pair as many Macs and Linux machines as you like. Opening the app unlocks the one that’s locked, and Unlock all handles several with one look.
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Siri, Shortcuts and the Action button
Unlock without opening the app: ask Siri, run a shortcut or press the Action button.
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Linux too
Omarchy, hyprlock, GNOME and KDE. GlanceKey for Linux is a single program that starts with your session.
Set up in a minute, no account
Your iPhone pairs directly with your computer. There’s nothing to sign up for.
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Install it on your computer
The menu bar app on your Mac, or a single program on Linux. Save your login password once; it stays on that computer.
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Scan the QR code
Point your iPhone’s camera at it. Your iPhone creates a key for that computer that only your face can use.
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Look at your phone
From then on, unlocking and approving takes a glance.
No sign-up, no email address, no password for GlanceKey itself.
Check it yourself
GlanceKey handles your login password and approves sudo for you. So everything about it is out in the open.
Open source
The iPhone app, the Mac app, the Linux program and the relay are all open source, so you can see exactly what runs on your computer. The code goes public on GitHub at launch.
Self-hostable
The relay that connects your iPhone to your computers is one small Cloudflare Worker. Run it on your own Cloudflare account and point your computers at it; your iPhone follows when you pair.
No data collected
No accounts, analytics, ads or tracking. The relay passes messages along without storing them, and your password never leaves your computer. Read the privacy policy.
How it keeps you safe
Your iPhone signs every action and your computer checks it. Whatever sits in between only carries messages.
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A key only your face can use
Pairing creates a key inside your iPhone that only works after Face ID recognizes you. Your passcode can’t use it, and adding a new face disables it.
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Every request works once
Your computer makes a fresh request for each action, and it expires after a minute. Your iPhone’s answer only fits that one request, so it can’t be copied or used again.
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Your password stays on your computer
It’s kept in your Mac’s keychain or your Linux keyring and checked before it’s typed. Typing stops if the screen unlocks halfway through.
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sudo checks your iPhone itself
A part of GlanceKey that only the system can change checks your iPhone’s answer, so no other program running as you can approve in your place. Your iPhone signs exactly the command it showed you.
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Nothing opens up on your computer
Your computers only connect out, so they don’t accept connections from the internet.
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Your password still works
GlanceKey adds a way in; it never replaces your password. If your phone is out of reach, you type it as always.
Questions
Does it work with AI agents?
Yes. When an agent on your Mac or Linux machine runs sudo, or a Mac password prompt appears, the request shows up on your iPhone with the exact command, and nothing happens until you approve it. Over SSH, sudo asks for your password as usual.
Does it need Bluetooth or the same Wi‑Fi?
No. Both devices only need internet. Your computer connects out to the relay, and your iPhone reaches it from any network.
What if my iPhone is dead or stolen?
Type your password, as always. Someone holding your iPhone can’t use GlanceKey either: its key only works after Face ID recognizes your face.
What can the relay see?
Which computer a phone talks to, and the messages in between, such as which sudo command is waiting for approval. It doesn’t store them and can’t change them: every action carries your iPhone’s signature, and your computer checks it. Your password and the pairing code never pass through it. Run your own relay if you’d rather not rely on ours.
Does my computer have to be on?
It has to be awake and logged in. After a restart, you type your password once yourself. On power, the Mac app can keep your Mac awake so it stays reachable.
Do I get notifications?
If you want them: through the free ntfy app. They only name the computer that’s waiting; the details travel over the relay.
What does it run on?
iPhone with iOS 17 or later, Mac with macOS 14 Sonoma or later, and Linux with Omarchy, hyprlock, GNOME or KDE.
When can I get it?
GlanceKey is in testing now. The iPhone app is on its way to the App Store, with the Mac app and the Linux program alongside it.