# CleanMode

> CleanMode locks your keyboard, trackpad, Touch Bar, mouse, and power button so you can clean your laptop without shutting down or triggering accidental inputs. Cross-platform desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux. One-time purchase from $4.99 with a 7-day free trial and lifetime free updates.

Version: 1.0.1
Homepage: https://cleanmode.app
Download (latest): https://github.com/clean-mode/CleanMode/releases/latest
Support: support@cleanmode.app

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## What CleanMode does

When CleanMode is locked, every input device on your laptop is blocked so you can wipe the screen and keyboard freely:

- **Keyboard, including the power button** — every key blocked, including the power button that would otherwise lock the screen mid-wipe.
- **Mouse and trackpad** — clicks, scrolls, and gestures all blocked. Cursor hidden.
- **Touch Bar** (MacBooks that have one) — blanked so accidental touches do nothing.
- **Fullscreen overlay** — a shield blocks any input that does reach apps from doing anything meaningful.

One click to lock. Long-press anywhere on the screen to unlock. That's the whole interface.

CleanMode runs offline. The only network connection it ever makes is a one-time license activation when you first enter your key. No telemetry, no analytics, no data collection.

## How it works

1. **Launch** — open CleanMode and tap "Enter Clean Mode".
2. **Clean** — wipe your keyboard and screen freely. Every input is blocked.
3. **Exit** — long-press the screen to unlock and return to normal use.

## Supported platforms

- **macOS** — Intel and Apple Silicon. macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer.
- **Windows** — Windows 10 and 11, x64.
- **Linux** — Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, and most desktop distributions. Both X11 and Wayland sessions supported. Distributed as `.deb` and `.AppImage`.

## Pricing

One-time purchase. No subscription. Lifetime free updates.

| Plan         | Price    | Per-device | Notes                          |
|--------------|----------|-----------|---------------------------------|
| 1 License    | $4.99    | $4.99     | Unlimited use on one device     |
| 2 Licenses   | $7.99    | $3.99     | Use on two devices              |
| 3 Licenses   | $9.99    | $3.33     | Best value, use on three devices |

Each license activates one device. Multi-pack purchases include separate keys.

A 7-day free trial with full functionality is available before purchase.

## FAQ

**Is CleanMode free?**
CleanMode offers a 7-day free trial with full access. After that, it's a one-time purchase starting at $4.99.

**Does CleanMode need internet access?**
CleanMode works offline for daily use. A one-time internet connection is needed only for license activation.

**Will CleanMode interfere with my running applications?**
No. CleanMode only blocks input devices while active. Your apps continue running normally in the background.

**How do I exit CleanMode?**
Long-press anywhere on the screen to unlock and return to normal operation.

**What if my laptop has an external keyboard or mouse?**
CleanMode blocks all connected input devices, including external keyboards, mice, and trackpads.

**Why does my system show a security warning when I open CleanMode?**
CleanMode is distributed directly from cleanmode.app, not through an app store. macOS, Windows, and Linux all show a one-time warning for apps installed outside their official stores. The fix is one or two clicks — see the support page for step-by-step instructions per OS.

**Can I get a refund?**
Because a free trial is available, all sales are final. We encourage you to use the trial to confirm CleanMode works for your setup before purchasing.

**Can I use my license on multiple computers, or move it to a new one?**
Each license activates one device. For more than one, use the 2-pack or 3-pack — each includes separate keys. To move a license to a new computer (or after reinstalling Windows or Linux), email support@cleanmode.app from your purchase email and we'll transfer it. Reinstalling on the same Mac is automatic.

**How do I clean my laptop keyboard without turning it off?**
Use CleanMode to lock your keyboard, trackpad, and all other inputs with one click. Then wipe your keyboard and screen freely without triggering accidental inputs. Long-press the screen to unlock when you're done.

**How do I disable my keyboard and trackpad for cleaning?**
CleanMode disables your keyboard, trackpad, mouse, Touch Bar, and even the power button so you can clean without any accidental inputs. It works on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

**What makes CleanMode different from KeyboardCleanTool or CleanupBuddy?**
CleanMode blocks all inputs — keyboard, trackpad, mouse, Touch Bar, power button, and modifier keys. Most alternatives only block the keyboard. CleanMode also works on macOS, Windows, and Linux, while most competitors are Mac-only.

## Why CleanMode exists

You flip your laptop open to wipe the screen. Five seconds in, you've opened Spotlight, triggered Siri, and somehow changed your display resolution. Your palm hits the trackpad, the cloth drags across the keyboard, and suddenly you're deep into an accidental workflow you didn't ask for.

We looked for a fix. Found a few tools that disable the keyboard — but the trackpad still fired. Others let the power button sleep the machine mid-wipe. None of them blocked everything, and most only worked on Mac.

So we built CleanMode. One click, every input blocked — keyboard, trackpad, power button, Touch Bar, modifier keys, all of it. It started on Mac, where the problem was loudest. Now it works across macOS, Windows, and Linux. No configuration, no "almost works." Just a clean screen and a quiet machine.

## How CleanMode compares to alternatives

|                                  | CleanMode | Keyboard Cleaner | CleanMyKeyboard | KeyboardCleanTool | CleanupBuddy |
|----------------------------------|-----------|------------------|-----------------|-------------------|--------------|
| Regular keys                     | Blocked   | Partial          | Blocked         | Blocked           | Blocked      |
| Power button                     | Blocked   | No               | Blocked         | Blocked           | Blocked      |
| Modifier & function keys         | Blocked   | No               | No              | No                | Partial      |
| Trackpad & mouse (clicks/gestures) | Blocked | No               | No              | No                | Blocked      |
| Touch Bar                        | Blocked   | No               | No              | Blocked           | Partial      |
| macOS                            | Yes       | Yes              | Yes             | Yes               | Yes          |
| Windows                          | Yes       | No               | No              | No                | No           |
| Linux                            | Yes       | No               | No              | No                | No           |

## Install help

Full instructions live at https://cleanmode.app/support. Summary of the most common first-launch issues:

### macOS

- **"CleanMode is damaged and can't be opened"** — the app downloaded from outside the App Store. Open Terminal and run `xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/CleanMode.app`, then open it again.
- **"Apple cannot check it for malicious software" / "unidentified developer"** — right-click the app in Applications and choose Open, then click Open in the dialog. One-time confirmation.
- **CleanMode opens but doesn't block keys/trackpad** — grant Accessibility permission in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. Quit and reopen.

### Windows

- **"Windows protected your PC" (SmartScreen)** — click "More info" in the warning, then "Run anyway". One-time per install.
- **Antivirus flagged the installer** — false positive common for newly released unsigned apps. Allow/Restore the file, then run the installer.
- **F-row keys (brightness, volume) still respond during clean mode** — these are handled by your keyboard firmware before reaching Windows. Toggle Fn Lock (usually Fn + Esc) so the F-row sends standard F1–F12 codes, which CleanMode blocks.

### Linux

- **"Permission denied" on the AppImage** — `chmod +x CleanMode.AppImage` then `./CleanMode.AppImage`. Or in your file manager: right-click → Properties → Permissions → "Allow executing file as program".
- **"libfuse.so.2" error or AppImage exits silently** — AppImage needs FUSE 2. Install it: `sudo apt install libfuse2` (Ubuntu/Debian), `sudo dnf install fuse` (Fedora), `sudo pacman -S fuse2` (Arch).
- **`.deb` install fails with dependency errors** — `sudo apt install -f ./CleanMode_*.deb` installs CleanMode along with any missing dependencies.

### Keys that stay active by design

A few key combinations are reserved by the operating system and no user-space app can intercept them. They stay active during clean mode:

- **Windows**: `Win+L` (lock workstation), `Ctrl+Alt+Del` (security screen). If you do press `Win+L` mid-cleaning, CleanMode detects the workstation lock and exits cleanly.
- **Linux**: `Ctrl+Alt+F1`–`F12` (switch virtual terminals). Switch back with the same combo and CleanMode is still running.
- **Linux (Wayland only)**: `Super+arrow` (tile/maximize). A Wayland limitation we can't override from user space.

These combinations require deliberate finger placement on multiple specific keys at once — exactly what you can't do accidentally while wiping a keyboard with a cloth.

## Privacy

CleanMode does not collect any personal data. Specifically:

- No personal information is collected.
- No usage analytics or telemetry.
- No tracking technologies in the application.

CleanMode works offline for daily use. A one-time internet connection is required for license activation only. No personal data is transmitted during this process.

Full policy: https://cleanmode.app/privacy

## Terms summary

- Each license covers one device at a time. You may transfer your license, but technical assistance is your responsibility (email support@cleanmode.app for help).
- You may not reverse-engineer, decompile, or distribute modified/cracked copies of the software.
- The software is provided "as is" without warranty. You use it at your own risk.
- All updates are included free of charge for the lifetime of the product.

Full terms: https://cleanmode.app/terms

## Refund policy

A 7-day free trial with full functionality is available before purchase. Because of the trial, all sales are final and non-refundable. If you experience a technical issue we can't resolve, we may consider a refund case-by-case at our discretion.

Full refund policy: https://cleanmode.app/refund

## Downloads (v1.0.1)

- macOS Apple Silicon: https://github.com/clean-mode/CleanMode/releases/download/v1.0.1/CleanMode-macos-arm-1.0.1.dmg
- macOS Intel: https://github.com/clean-mode/CleanMode/releases/download/v1.0.1/CleanMode-macos-intel-1.0.1.dmg
- Windows x64: https://github.com/clean-mode/CleanMode/releases/download/v1.0.1/CleanMode-windows-x64-1.0.1.exe
- Linux .deb (x64): https://github.com/clean-mode/CleanMode/releases/download/v1.0.1/CleanMode-linux-x64-1.0.1.deb
- Linux .AppImage (x64): https://github.com/clean-mode/CleanMode/releases/download/v1.0.1/CleanMode-linux-x64-1.0.1.AppImage
- All releases: https://github.com/clean-mode/CleanMode/releases

## Contact

- **Support:** support@cleanmode.app
- **Security:** security@cleanmode.app (see https://cleanmode.app/.well-known/security.txt)