Skip to content
+

Overview

Focus Capture is a macOS OBS plugin that automatically switches capture to the active application window.

What is Focus Capture?

Focus Capture is a native OBS source for macOS. It watches whichever layer-0 window currently has keyboard focus and redirects the capture stream to that window in real time. The result is a cleaner workflow for demos, support sessions, pair programming, and recorded walkthroughs where you jump between apps constantly.

Key Features

  • Automatic active-window capture -- Switches to the focused app window without manually changing scenes or sources.
  • Built for OBS Studio -- Ships as a dedicated OBS source instead of relying on brittle scene macros or browser automation.
  • ScreenCaptureKit pipeline -- Uses Apple's modern window-capture APIs for sharp capture and lower overhead on macOS 13+.
  • Exclusion list -- Ignore utility apps such as Spotlight, Notification Center, or your own custom bundle IDs.
  • Capture controls -- Configure frame rate, cursor capture, fit-to-screen behavior, and optional auto-resize directly in OBS.
  • Universal macOS build -- Works on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

System Requirements

Requirement Minimum
Operating System macOS 13 Ventura or later
OBS Studio 31.1.1 or later
Architecture Apple Silicon or Intel
Distribution Download

How It Works

Focus Capture combines NSWorkspace activation events, Accessibility APIs, and ScreenCaptureKit:

  1. It detects when the frontmost application changes.
  2. It resolves the focused layer-0 window for that process.
  3. It switches the capture stream to the new window.
  4. OBS keeps receiving frames from the updated target without manual source changes.

Best Fit

Focus Capture is a good fit when:

  • you demo software across several apps during live calls
  • you record tutorials while bouncing between editor, browser, and terminal
  • you want a source that follows your workflow instead of forcing scene choreography

Continue to Download for installer links, or jump to Installation for the OBS and macOS permission setup.