Steadwick
Keep Your Computer Awake
Steadwick keeps your Mac awake with a single click. It is a lightweight menu bar utility that stops your display and system from going to sleep during presentations, downloads, and long renders. Choose Display and System to keep your screen and Mac fully awake, or System Only to let the display turn off while the system stays awake. Set a timer for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours, or run it with no time limit until you switch it off. The menu bar shows a filled flame when your Mac is being kept awake and a hollow flame when it can sleep. Steadwick works through a public IOKit power assertion, the same mechanism macOS uses when it plays video, and it needs no special permissions.
Features
One Click to Stay Awake
Activate Steadwick from the menu bar and your Mac stays awake. Click again to let it sleep normally. That is the whole workflow.
Two Modes
Display and System keeps both your screen and your Mac fully awake. System Only lets the display turn off while the system keeps running, which suits overnight downloads.
Timer Presets
Stay awake for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours, or run with no time limit until you switch it off. Steadwick turns itself off when the timer ends.
Live Countdown
When a timer is running the popover shows a live countdown, so you always know how much time is left.
Flame Status at a Glance
A filled flame in the menu bar means your Mac is being kept awake. A hollow flame means it can sleep normally.
No Permissions Needed
Steadwick uses a public IOKit power assertion. It makes no network connections, collects no data, and needs no special system permissions.
Screenshots
How It Works
Click the Menu Bar
Steadwick lives in your macOS menu bar, always one click away. Open the popover to see your status and controls.
Activate and Choose a Duration
Click Activate, or click a timer preset to start right away. Pick Display and System or System Only depending on whether you want the screen to stay on.
Done
Your Mac stays awake until the timer ends or you switch Steadwick off. When it stops, your Mac returns to its normal sleep behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install Steadwick?
Download Steadwick from the Mac App Store. After installation it appears in your Applications folder. Launch it and it will appear in your menu bar.
How does Steadwick keep my Mac awake?
Steadwick creates a power assertion through IOPMAssertionCreateWithName, a public IOKit function. This is the same mechanism macOS uses when it plays video or runs a Time Machine backup.
What is the difference between the two modes?
Display and System keeps both your screen and your Mac fully awake. System Only lets the display turn off after its normal idle timeout while the system stays awake, which suits overnight downloads.
Does Steadwick collect my data?
No. Steadwick makes no network connections and collects no personal data. The only value it stores is a small local counter that decides when to ask you for an App Store review, and that never leaves your Mac.
Is there a subscription?
No. Steadwick is free. There are no subscriptions, in-app purchases, or recurring fees.
What happens when I quit Steadwick?
Steadwick releases its power assertion right away and your Mac returns to its normal sleep behavior.
How do I uninstall Steadwick?
Drag Steadwick from your Applications folder to the Trash. No extra cleanup is needed.
Can I get a refund?
Steadwick is free, so there is nothing to refund. Mac App Store purchases in general are handled by Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com.
Support & Resources
Support
Setup help, troubleshooting, and answers to common questions about Steadwick.
Privacy Policy
Read the full policy on what data Steadwick does and doesn't collect.
Contact
Questions, feedback, or press? Reach the Side Channel Studios team.
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