HazeOver
HazeOver is a Mac utility that dims background windows so the active window stands out, helping reduce visual clutter while you work.
What is HazeOver?
HazeOver is a native Mac utility focused on reducing visual distractions during everyday multitasking. It helps users stay oriented by automatically dimming background windows and keeping the frontmost window visually prominent, which can make writing, browsing, coding, reading, and general desktop work feel less cluttered. The app is designed for people who keep many windows open, use large displays, or work across multiple monitors and want a clearer sense of where their attention should be. HazeOver includes adjustable dimming strength and animation behavior, separate settings for Light and Dark appearance, and quick controls for temporarily disabling the effect when needed. It also supports automation through Shortcuts, Focus filters, and AppleScript, making it useful for users who want their workspace behavior to change with different tasks or focus modes. HazeOver is published by Maxim Ananov for macOS.
Key features
- Dim background windows automatically to keep the active window in focus
- Adjust dimming intensity and animation speed to match your workspace
- Use separate dimming settings for Light Mode and Dark Mode
- Work more comfortably on large displays and multiple monitors
- Temporarily turn dimming off with a shortcut when moving between apps
- Automate behavior with Shortcuts, Focus filters, and AppleScript
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Safety overview
Status: Safe
HazeOver is a legitimate Mac utility that changes how windows are visually displayed on screen. To work as intended, it may request normal macOS permissions related to controlling or observing window focus and interface behavior. That access is expected for a window-dimming utility, but you should only grant permissions you are comfortable with and review them later in macOS Privacy & Security settings if your needs change. Removing the app simply stops the dimming and automation features it provides.
Recommendation: Keep HazeOver if you like a quieter, more focused desktop and frequently work with many open windows. If you no longer use its window-dimming or automation features, you can remove it without affecting macOS beyond losing those convenience features.
Common paths
/Applications/HazeOver.app
Cache paths
~/Library/Caches/com.pointum.hazeover-setapp
Support paths
~/Library/Application Support/HazeOver
Preference paths
~/Library/Preferences/com.pointum.hazeover-setapp.plist
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