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Creative & mediaOriginal Reddit post

[OS] RetroMac: Classic OS Themes and Authentic CRT Shaders for macOS

u/klotzbrockenJune 20, 2026RedditEnglish
Full contextOriginal content · Reddit

What is it? RetroMac transforms your entire Mac into a retro machine. Not just with shaders, but with full OS themes. Pick Windows 98, XP, Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, BeOS or Snow Leopard and your Dock, Menu Bar, window frames, system icons... everything instantly looks like that era. Add CRT glow, VHS flicker or Game Boy filters on top. Apply it to the whole screen, a specific display, or a single window. Even your webcam. Why RetroMac and not the alternatives? Other retro apps are either shader-only or feel like shallow gimmicks. RetroMac is the only macOS app that does full theme swaps, era-accurate Docks, Taskbars, Menu Bars and original icon packs combined with authentic CRT and VHS effects. Lightweight, zero account needed, works on all windowed apps. Pricing Free: 15+ shaders and all full OS themes (Windows 98, XP, Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, BeOS, Snow Leopard): free. Realy Free? Okay there is a Lifetime Unlock: €8.88 one-time for extra shader presets and the webcam shader. No subscription. Links: Website: myretromac.app GitHub: github.com/klotzbrocken/RetroMac I'm the developer behind RetroMac. Built it because I missed the feel of 90s monitors and childhood OS UIs on my modern Mac. Happy to answer any questions! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maikklotz/

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🔍 GitHub Guard: Trust Report ⚠️ This project scored 0/6 — below this subreddit's threshold of 3. Audit Breakdown: ❌ Low Star Count (⭐ 11 / 100 required) ❌ New Repository (under 30 days old) ❌ No License Found ❌ No Security Policy — what is this? ℹ️ Individual Contributor ℹ️ Unsigned Commits ⚠️ Security Reminder: Always verify source code and run third-party scripts at your own risk. 🔄 Cached result — this repo was scanned recently. Score: 0/6.

u/klotzbrockenOPReply

I spend ours on Infinitymac to take a look at old systems to recreate the dock... ◡̈

u/Albertkinng

If this really works, it will be a dream come true. I would love to have Platinum as my default theme. There are only two systems I miss with all my heart: Mac OS 9 and Snow Leopard.

u/NiewinterNacht

Those "fly screen" filters don't look accurate for CRTs at all, more early TFT displays. CRTs didn't have sharp pixel borders, doesn't matter what mask was used.

u/chikenhenwy

why did you title ur post [OS], indicating that it is open source when you actually put this license?

u/Caliiintz

"RetroMac is the only macOS app that does full theme swaps" Didn't hear of Glow?

u/klotzbrockenOPReply

Yes of course.. Glow has no theme support (as far as i know) and a different aproach..

u/klotzbrockenOPReply

Yes ◡̈ If you just like old browsers try retroframe (its standalone on the website)

u/klotzbrockenOP

👉 Today I released a new version. Lot of bug fixing, UX improvements, and new features.

u/klotzbrockenOPReply

Menu Bar, The Icon "Quit" in the Window. Next version get an aditional Dock Mode

u/Albertkinng

I went to the site, and it seems it’s not a one click install and chose a theme. I think this is for users that want to mess with the system and tweak things up. If anyone here can confirm this let me know.

u/klotzbrockenOPReply

hmmm just install, klick on the icon in the mac menubar and choose a theme and / or a shader...

u/kopkaas2000

How does this deal with the plethora of apps (like Safari) that started moving their toolbar into what was formerly the window title bar? Edit: The video on the website shows it doesn't actually theme any regular apps, it just creates a fake environment for the target OS with a couple of apps within. Video file also shows the creator is using openclaw, so I'm suspecting vibe-coded shenanigans.

u/Prestigious-Park-350

I love the idea and I see you make a retro browser as well... coll, going to try

u/user08182019

I just want my rainbow apple back on the top left menhbar. I used to be able to overlay it with GeekTool, not sure now.

u/Fun_Living_6984

The full theme swap approach makes sense—most retro apps are just filters on top, which gets old fast. Doing actual UI element swaps probably makes it feel authentic rather than gimmicky.