How to Lock MacBook Webcam Without Outer Cover
Covering your webcam is one of the oldest privacy tips, but some MacBook owners have made the annoying discovery that third-party covers can damage your laptop when you try to close it. Many of these coatings are so bulky that the MacBook cannot close completely, and the excessive pressure they put on the screen can crack it.
To Apple’s credit, he cautions users against using physical covers and suggests instead looking to see if their MacBook’s webcam is green. Modern MacBooks are designed so that the webcam cannot be turned on when the lights are off, which Apple apparently sees as a suitable alternative to camera covers that can damage the screen and interfere with camera-dependent features such as automatic brightness control.
While we don’t recommend a hard cover for a MacBook camera, there are many other physical and software solutions that can block or hide your webcam in case a smart hacker discovers a loophole in your car’s wiring.
Supervision
OverSight is a free macOS app that monitors camera and microphone activity to help you better understand when something is in use on your system. The app can also protect you even if you intentionally use your camera or microphone by alerting you to recording or background tracking.
To get started, download OverSight here and follow the instructions on the page to install and configure the app. The page also has guides on how to use the various OverSight features, explanations of how the app works, and answers to frequently asked questions. Take time to read all of the information, especially if you are skeptical about using a third-party app that accesses your webcam and microphone. OverSight developers are transparent about how the application works and what it does with the data it tracks.
DIY covers
For those looking for an external solution, let me introduce you to the world’s most successful webcam hiding tool: tape. Apple is right to warn against accessories that obscure the webcam, but trust me there is plenty of room for tape, paper, or sticker even when the display is closed. (You can always delete it before closing the screen if you are paranoid.)
There are countless options for tape and / or paper backed covers. You just need to make sure whatever you choose is opaque enough to block your camera. Otherwise, if it’s sticky enough to stay in place (although not as sticky, it can’t be removed without damaging the device) and you can close the display with it, you can customize it to your liking.
Lifehacker’s Beth Skoreki suggests using Washi Tape , which comes in a variety of colorful geometric designs (just stay away from bulky beads or embossed surfaces). Gaffers also works well because of its stickiness and ease of removal. Of course, duct tape will wear out over time, but you can always keep the roll nearby or in your computer bag if you need to replace it.
Personally, I would suggest a multi-pronged approach that combines OverSight software-level security with the proven tape method. The tape will block the camera when not in use and is thin enough so you can still safely close your laptop, and the added layer of security from OverSight makes removing the tape to use the camera or enable features like True Tone less risk.
What about you? Let us know how you keep your webcam secure in the comments.