The problem
Your Mac dims or sleeps during a long screen recording, ruining the footage. Especially problematic when recording tutorials or time-lapses.
Why it happens
Screen recording apps like QuickTime or ScreenFlow may not prevent display sleep, especially for very long recordings where you're not interacting with the computer.
The fix: Shake It On
Shake It On keeps your Mac awake by moving the mouse slightly at regular intervals. macOS sees real user activity and resets the idle timer. Set it up with the right conditions and it only runs when you're actually screen recording.
Recommended conditions for screen recording:
- Only Shake If a specific app is running (ScreenFlow, QuickTime)
- Scheduled to recording sessions
- Invisible mode on (so the cursor doesn't twitch in your recording)
Tip
Stealth (invisible) mode in 1.1.0 is purpose-built for this: macOS still resets the idle timer, but the cursor never moves on screen. Save the whole setup as a 'Recording' Session.Shake It On keeps your Mac awake during screen recording with smart conditions. $9.99 one-time.
Keep your Mac awake the easy way.
Shake It On lives in your menu bar and uses organic mouse movement to prevent sleep. Set it once and forget it.
One-time purchase. No subscription. Free updates forever.