Direct Answer
Veil lets you keep one chosen app visible while blurring the rest of your Mac desktop. This is useful when the search intent is "blur background windows Mac," "blur everything except active window Mac," or "hide other windows during screen sharing."
Steps
- Open the app or window you want to keep visible.
- Choose that app as the Cover App in Veil.
- Toggle Veil before a meeting, recording, demo, or public work session.
- Use Peek for a quick reveal without fully turning privacy off.
Active Window vs Cover App
| Mode | What it means | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Active window focus | The currently focused app or window drives what stays clear. | General focus and visual cleanup. |
| Cover App | One selected app stays visible while other windows stay blurred. | Meetings, recordings, demos, and privacy-sensitive work. |
Common Use Cases
- Hide Slack, Discord, iMessage, or email while presenting.
- Blur internal documents before screen sharing with clients.
- Keep a browser, IDE, design tool, or deck visible during a demo.
- Record tutorials without exposing unrelated tabs or notes.
Related Pages
- macOS screen sharing privacy app
- Monocle alternative for Mac
- Hide sensitive windows before recording on macOS
Want one app visible and everything else protected?
Download Veil for macOS