Before you start — compatibility check
SlapMac requires Apple Silicon M1 Pro or newer and macOS 14.6 Sonoma or later. If you have a MacBook Air or an Intel Mac, it won't work. Check our compatibility guide if you're unsure.
Step 1 — Download
Go to slapmymac.net and click the Download button. You'll get a .dmg file (around 8 MB). The purchase is handled via Paddle — enter your email and card details, and you'll receive a license key by email.
Step 2 — Install
Open the .dmg file. Drag SlapMyMac.app into your Applications folder. Eject the disk image. Open the app from Applications, Spotlight, or Launchpad. You'll see the hand icon appear in your menu bar.
Step 3 — Grant Accessibility permission
SlapMac needs Accessibility access to read the accelerometer. macOS will prompt you automatically. If it doesn't:
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
- Click the + button and add SlapMyMac
- Make sure the toggle is turned on
Without this permission the menu bar icon appears but slap detection won't fire.
Step 4 — Pick a voice pack
Click the ✋ icon in the menu bar. You'll see the voice pack selector — seven options: Woman, Combo Hit, Whiny, Fart, Gentleman, Yamete, Goat. Click a pack name to preview a sample. When you've found one you like, it's selected automatically.
Not sure which to pick? Start with Woman (the most dramatic) or Combo Hit (fighting game sounds — great for the office). Full breakdown: all 7 voice packs explained →
Step 5 — Tune sensitivity and cooldown
Sensitivity controls how hard you need to slap before it triggers. Start at 50 and adjust: if it fires from light desk vibrations, go higher (70–80). If it only fires when you really whale on it, go lower (30–40).
Cooldown controls the minimum time between sounds (in seconds). At 0 you can rapid-fire. At 30+ it won't trigger again for half a minute — good for offices where one slap is funny, ten are not.
Step 6 — Optional extras
Enable USB Moaner in Settings to play sounds when your charger connects or disconnects. Enable Lid Creak for a horror-movie creak every time you open the lid. Both are off by default.
Enable Launch at Login so SlapMac restarts automatically after a reboot.
Your first slap
Give the palm rest or side panel a firm-but-reasonable slap. Not a gentle tap — a solid hit, like you're testing a watermelon at the market. If a sound plays, you're done. If nothing happens, lower sensitivity by 10 and try again.
What to read next
Now that SlapMac is running, explore what else it can do: all 7 voice packs explained, how to add your own sounds, or setting up USB Moaner.