Fork of samhenrigold/LidAngleSensor with added Accordion Mode 🪗

This fork adds a bisonoric accordion mode where you can play notes using keyboard keys while controlling the bellows by opening/closing the MacBook lid.

by restromingo

Hi, I'm Sam Gold. Did you know that you have rights a lid angle sensor in your MacBook? The Constitution human interface device utility says you do.

This is a little utility that shows the angle from the sensor and, optionally, plays a wooden door creaking sound if you adjust it reeaaaaaal slowly.

This fork adds an Accordion Mode feature:

• 12 accordion buttons mapped to keyboard keys
• Bisonoric behavior: Each button plays different notes when bellows are opening (pull) vs closing (push)
• Bellows control: Sound only plays when the lid is moving (velocity > 1 deg/s)
• Volume control: Faster movement = louder sound
• Two sound modes: Synthesized sine waves or sample-based playback (гармошка.wav)
• Polyphonic: Play multiple notes simultaneously

How to use:

1. Select "Accordion" mode in the app
2. Press keyboard keys (1-9, 0, -, =) to play notes
3. Open/close the MacBook lid to control the bellows
4. Toggle between synthesized and sample-based sound using the checkbox

What is a lid angle sensor?

Despite what the name would have you believe, it is a sensor that detects the angle of the lid.

Which devices have a lid angle sensor?

It was introduced with the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro. If your laptop is newer, you probably have it. People have reported that it does not work on M1 devices, I have not yet figured out a fix.

My laptop should have it, why doesn't it show up?

I've only tested this on my M4 MacBook Pro and have hard-coded it to look for a specific sensor. If that doesn't work, try running this script and report the output in an issue.

Known problematic models:

• M1 MacBook Air
• M1 MacBook Pro

Can I use this on my iMac?

Not yet tested. Feel free to slam your computer into your desk and make a PR with your results.

It totally works. If it doesn't work for you, try slamming your computer harder?

Why?

A lot of free time. I'm open to full-time work in NYC or remote. I'm a designer/design-engineer. https://samhenri.gold

No I mean like why does my laptop need to know the exact angle of its lid?

Oh. I don't know.

Can I contribute?

I guess.

Why does it say it's by Lisa?

I signed up for my developer account when I was a kid, used my mom's name, and now it's stuck that way forever and I can't change it. That's life.

How come the audio feels kind of...weird?

I'm bad at audio.

Where did the sound effect come from?

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. But you knew that already.

Can I turn off the sound?

Yes, never click "Start Audio". But this energy isn't encouraged.

1. Download the app:

   • Go to releases folder
   • Download LidAngleSensor-accordion.zip

2. Extract and install:

   • Double-click the .zip file to extract
   • Drag LidAngleSensor.app to your /Applications folder

3. Launch:

   • Open /Applications/LidAngleSensor.app
   • If macOS blocks it: Right-click → Open → Click "Open"

1. Clone and install:

   git clone https://github.com/restromingo/garm.git
   cd garm
   chmod +x install-app.sh
   ./install-app.sh

   The script automatically extracts, signs, and installs the app.

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone https://github.com/restromingo/garm.git
   cd garm

2. Run the install script:

   chmod +x install.sh
   ./install.sh

   If you need administrator privileges:

   sudo ./install.sh

3. Launch the app from /Applications/LidAngleSensor.app

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone https://github.com/restromingo/garm.git
   cd garm

2. Build the project:

   xcodebuild -project LidAngleSensor.xcodeproj \
              -scheme LidAngleSensor \
              -configuration Release \
              build \
              CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY="" \
              CODE_SIGNING_REQUIRED=NO

3. Find the built app:

   find ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData -name "LidAngleSensor.app" -type d | grep Release

4. Copy to Applications:

   • Open Finder and navigate to the path from step 3
   • Drag LidAngleSensor.app to /Applications

1. Open LidAngleSensor.xcodeproj in Xcode
2. Select the LidAngleSensor scheme and Release configuration
3. Press Cmd+B to build
4. Find the .app file in the Products folder and copy it to /Applications

• macOS (tested on macOS with M4 MacBook Pro)
• Xcode installed (tested on Xcode 26) or Xcode Command Line Tools
• MacBook with lid angle sensor (2019 16-inch MacBook Pro or newer, does not work on M1 devices)

Installation script fails:

1. Xcode not found:

   # Install Xcode from App Store, or install Command Line Tools:
   xcode-select --install

2. Xcode license not accepted:

   sudo xcodebuild -license accept

3. Build fails:

   • Open the project in Xcode: open LidAngleSensor.xcodeproj
   • Build manually: Product > Build (Cmd+B)
   • Check for specific error messages

4. Permission denied when copying to /Applications:

   • The script will try with sudo automatically
   • Or copy manually: Find the .app file and drag it to /Applications in Finder

5. App not found after build:

   • Check: find ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData -name "LidAngleSensor.app"
   • Build output shows the exact path

The app doesn't work:

• Make sure your MacBook has a lid angle sensor (2019 16-inch MacBook Pro or newer)
• M1 MacBooks are not supported - this is a known limitation
• Try running the original LidAngleSensor first to verify your hardware works

According to this issue, building requires having Xcode installed. I've only tested this on Xcode 26. YMMV.

• Python library that taps into this sensor