Question 1

Find Paperman in the menu bar or taskbar

Accepted Answer

Paperman lives in your menu bar or taskbar. Click its icon for quick controls, or right-click for the menu to snooze, skip the current app or check for updates.

Question 2

I can't download or buy apps in the App Store

Accepted Answer

macOS hides the Get and Buy buttons while a screen overlay is active. Snooze Paperman, or add the App Store to your App Exceptions.

Question 3

License has been used on too many devices

Accepted Answer

Each Paperman Unlimited license works on up to 2 devices at a time. Free up a slot by removing an old device in your Polar customer portal.

Question 4

Match the texture to what's on your screen

Accepted Answer

Set Texture follows to Screen content, and each display uses one texture for mostly light content and another for mostly dark, whatever your system theme.

Question 5

Turn Paperman on, off, or take a break

Accepted Answer

Everything starts in the control center. Switch Paperman off, or snooze it for a few minutes and let it come back on its own.

Question 6

What if Paperman doesn't accept keyboard input?

Accepted Answer

If you can click around Paperman but can't type, relaunch it. Still stuck? Allow Input Monitoring and Accessibility in System Settings.

Question 7

Choose when Paperman runs

Accepted Answer

Run Paperman all day, only in the evening or during hours you set. You can also start it when you log in, and turn it off when your battery runs low.

Question 8

Choose a texture and how strong it looks

Accepted Answer

Switch textures from the control center, pin your favorites, fine-tune the intensity, and use different textures for day and night.

Question 9

Move your license to a new computer

Accepted Answer

How to transfer your Paperman Unlimited license when you get a new Mac or PC.

Question 10

Touch ID doesn't work with Apple Pay

Accepted Answer

If the Apple Pay sheet never shows the fingerprint icon, Paperman is covering it. Cancel, snooze or switch off Paperman, and start Apple Pay again.

Question 11

Choose which displays Paperman covers

Accepted Answer

Paperman works across every monitor you connect. Pick exactly which ones get the texture from the monitor picker.

Question 12

Paperman and full-screen apps

Accepted Answer

Mac App Store rules prevent Paperman from covering full-screen apps. Switch to the direct download version for free to get full-screen support.

Question 13

Paperman asks me to move it before updating

Accepted Answer

Paperman can't update itself from the disk image or a temporary copy. Move it into your Applications folder, open it from there, and update again.

Question 14

Animations, sound and screenshots

Accepted Answer

Pick how textures appear, turn the paper sound on or off, keep the texture out of screenshots and screen sharing, and clear the area around the notch.

Question 15

Keep Paperman out of certain apps

Accepted Answer

Add apps to App Exceptions and Paperman steps aside while they're in front, or flip it around so Paperman only runs in the apps you pick.

Question 16

Set the mood with Desk Lamp

Accepted Answer

Desk Lamp adds a warm, lamp-like glow to your paper screen. Start from a preset, tune it your way, and switch it on with a hotkey.

Question 17

Use keyboard hotkeys

Accepted Answer

Turn Paperman on or off, snooze, switch textures and toggle Desk Lamp without opening Paperman. Change or turn off any hotkey in Settings → Hot Keys.

Question 18

Switch light and dark mode on a schedule

Accepted Answer

Circadian Rhythm switches your system between light and dark mode at the times you pick, and Paperman's Daytime and Nighttime textures follow along.

Question 19

Spread the word

Accepted Answer

If you enjoy Paperman, consider sharing it with your family and friends so they can enjoy it too!

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