TypeAround
Bypass paste restrictions by simulating keyboard input, one keystroke at a time.
A free, open-source macOS menu bar utility.
Everything you need
A focused tool that does one thing well -- gets text into fields that fight back.
Clipboard History
Your last 5 clipboard entries, always ready. Each shows a preview and character count. Passwords are automatically excluded.
Keychain Passwords
Save multiple credentials from your login Keychain. Browse, search, or create new entries. Passwords never touch the clipboard.
Keystroke Delay
Configurable base delay and random jitter between keystrokes. Tuned for AWS WorkSpaces, Citrix, RDP, and other remote desktops.
Large Paste Warning
Prompts before typing long text so you don't accidentally fire hundreds of keystrokes into the wrong field.
Menu Bar Only
No Dock icon, no main window. Lives quietly in the menu bar and stays out of your way until you need it.
Launch at Login
Toggle in Settings to start TypeAround automatically when you log in. Always ready when you need it.
How it works
Copy text normally
Copy anything to your clipboard, or configure a Keychain password in Settings.
Click the menu bar
Select the text you want to type from the menu. Focus the target field.
Keystrokes are simulated
TypeAround sends each character as a real CGEvent keystroke. The app sees human typing.
Get started
Download the latest release or build from source with a single command.
First-time setup
TypeAround requires two one-time approvals on macOS before it can work. Both are standard security prompts for any app downloaded outside the Mac App Store.
Allow the app to open (Gatekeeper)
The first time you open TypeAround, macOS will block it with a message like "TypeAround can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software." This is normal for apps distributed outside the Mac App Store.
To allow it: open System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down to the Security section, and click "Open Anyway" next to the TypeAround message. You may need to authenticate with your password or Touch ID. Then launch TypeAround again.
Alternatively, you can right-click (or Control-click) TypeAround.app in Finder and select "Open" from the context menu. This bypasses Gatekeeper for that specific app.
Grant Accessibility permission
Once TypeAround launches, it will prompt you to grant Accessibility access. Click "Open System Settings" to jump directly to the right panel, then toggle the switch next to TypeAround.
If the prompt doesn't appear, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility manually. If TypeAround is not listed, click the + button and select it from your Applications folder.
You're all set
TypeAround will appear in your menu bar. Both approvals are one-time only -- you won't be prompted again unless you reinstall the app or reset permissions.
Why are these permissions required? Gatekeeper blocks unnotarized apps as a security precaution -- TypeAround is open source and code signed, but not currently notarized with Apple. The Accessibility permission is required because TypeAround uses the macOS CGEvent API to simulate keystrokes. Apple requires explicit user consent for any app that controls keyboard input to prevent unauthorized input injection.