Isolator alternatives for Mac
Isolator was a free Mac app that covered everything except your front window, and it stopped working on newer versions of macOS years ago. Three apps do the same job today: HazeOver ($4.99 once), FocusDim ($9.99 once after a 30-day free trial, and it also runs on Windows) and Focusdim ($5, a separate app). If you don't want an app, ⌥⌘H hides every other app, which is close to Isolator's blackout setting.
What replaced Isolator
| App | Price | Closest Isolator setting |
|---|---|---|
| HazeOver | $4.99 once | Dim strength; separate light and dark mode settings |
| FocusDim | $9.99 once, 30 days free | Dim strength from 10% to 90% and a choice of colours, so you can go nearly black like Isolator's blackout |
| Focusdim | $5 once, limited free tier | Highlight or dim apps (a separate app, not PeakFlow's) |
| Hide Others (built in) | Free | ⌥⌘H hides every other app; the windows disappear instead of dimming |
Setting FocusDim up like Isolator
- Download the PeakFlow app for Mac (Apple silicon or Intel, macOS 13 or later). The first time you open it, macOS asks you to confirm it in System Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Allow Accessibility, so FocusDim can tell which window is in front.
- Open FocusDim from the menu bar icon and press ⌘⇧D.
- For an Isolator-style blackout, drag the strength up to 90% and pick black. For a lighter tint, stay near the 60% default.
- Choose App windows mode if you want every window of the current app to stay visible, which is how Isolator behaved.
Unlike Isolator, FocusDim lets clicks through the dim, so you can click a dimmed window to bring it forward, and ⌃⌥` shows everything for a few seconds without switching the dim off.
Buy just this tool
FocusDim: $9.99 once
Dims every window except the one you're using, on Mac and Windows.
To compare FocusDim with HazeOver in detail, read HazeOver vs FocusDim on Mac. For a Windows PC, see window dimmers for Windows.
Questions
Does Isolator still work on macOS?
No. Isolator stopped working on newer versions of macOS and is no longer updated.
What is the closest app to Isolator?
HazeOver and FocusDim both dim every window behind the front one on current macOS. FocusDim can go up to 90% strength in black, which is close to Isolator's blackout.
Which macOS versions does FocusDim support?
macOS 13 Ventura or later, on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
Bring back the Isolator setup
Download PeakFlow for Mac, press ⌘⇧D and everything behind your front window fades. Free for 30 days.
Download free for Mac