The menu bar is one of the most defining features of a Mac, just like the Apple logo on the back of every Apple machine. The menu bar plays an important role in providing a unified user experience in the Mac’s operating system. No matter what app you’re in, the menu bar contains all the settings and controls for apps so you know exactly where to look for them. On the far right, the menu bar also holds quick access icons for certain native apps like WiFi, volume, and clock, among others. This feature is also used by various third-party apps as they can put their own quick access icons in the menu bar. However, if you’re like me, you’ll soon find that the menu bar is cluttered due to the presence of too many third-party icons. If no one likes a messy desktop and you also have trouble keeping your menu bar clean, here’s how to hide the menu bar icons on your Mac:
Hide Menu Bar Icons on macOS Using Third-Party Apps
1. Vanilla
Vanilla is a very simple application that lets you hide the menu bar icons on your Mac. When the application is launched, it places its own quick icon in the menu bar. When you click on its icon, it will show an arrow. hide all apps located to the left of the app icon. The only downside of the app is that it can only hide third-party app icons in the menu bar. native app icons remain unaffected. Still, the app is very good at what it does. If there is any application icon to the right of the vanilla icon, Hold down the command button and drag the icon in question to the left of the vanilla app.
The app is free with a pro version that brings some extra features. Unlocked features include removing icons forever, auto-hiding icons after a certain amount of time, and vanilla launching automatically when you log in to your computer. But even if you don’t decide to buy the pro version, the free version is good enough for most of your needs.
To organise: (Free$3.99)
2. Bartender
Vanilla is a good app, but it still leaves some features on the desired list. If you really want to manage the way your menu bar handles application icons, there is no better app than Bartender. Although it is an expensive application, it deserves every penny. The biggest feature of the bartender is that he can hide not only third-party app icons but also native Apple app icons. this app basically creates a hidden submenu bar that holds all the app icons. and can be accessed simply by clicking the Bartender menu bar icon.
If you really want to clear your menu bar and don’t want to see any icons there, you can also: Hide the bartender’s app icon as well. When the application is hidden, you can only access the bottom menu bar by pressing the user customizable key. I really like this feature because it allows me to keep a clean menu bar. The application is also internal search feature allows you to quickly search for any application running in the menu bar. This feature is especially useful if you want to keep a lot of apps in the menu bar. If you’re serious about managing your menu bar and keeping it clean, this app is for you.
To organise: (4 Week Trial, $15)
note: Hiding native app icons does not currently work on macOS High Sierra. The feature will be available in future updates of the app.
SEE ALSO: 25 Essential Menu Bar Apps for Mac
Hide Menu Bar Icons to Clean Up Things on macOS
The menu bar is an important and integral part of macOS. The only constant is that it doesn’t matter where you are within the OS. However, depending on the number of apps that use menu bar icons, it can easily get crowded and crowded. Use the two apps above to organize and hide icons to give your menu bar a clean look. Also, tell us about your favorite menu bar apps in the comment section below.
