Sometimes the Mac menu bar can be cluttered with icons from different applications, making it difficult to work with. Even worse, your menu bar spacing together may be too tight on your Mac. In this article, we’ll explore how to adjust MacBook toolbar, where to find Mac menu bar settings, and share some menu bar management tools.
Contents:
- What is the top bar on a MacBook called?
- How to change the menu bar color on a MacBook.
- How to pick which apps show on the menu bar on a Mac.
- Best apps to hide logos on Mac top bar.
Before we start
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What is the top bar on a MacBook called?
On MacBooks, the top row is called the menu bar. It’s a versatile bar that sits at the top of the screen and provides access to key features and system settings. The left side displays the active application menu, the center may be a clock or widgets, and the right side displays icons for system and third-party applications.
The Menu Bar serves as an important part of the macOS interface, helping you quickly switch between applications, monitor system status, and launch functions.
How to change the menu bar color on a MacBook
macOS offers several ways to change the appearance of the menu bar, including its color and transparency:
Switch between a light and dark theme
- Open System Settings.
- Click Appearance in the left panel.
- Select the Light or Dark theme to have the menu bar change color accordingly.
Customizing transparency
- Open System Settings.
- Switch to the Accessibility option from the sidebar.
- Choose Display in the right panel.
- Turn on or turn off the transparency reducing.
- This will make the menu bar lighter or darker and harmonize with the desktop wallpaper.
Changing the desktop wallpaper
The color of the menu bar depends partly on the wallpaper you use. Choose a light or dark wallpaper to customize the look of the menu bar to your preferences.
How to pick which apps show on the menu bar on a Mac
An overloaded menu bar can make it difficult to work. Here’s how to control the display of icons:
Removing icons
Hold down the Command key (⌘) and drag an icon outside the menu bar to remove it.
Disabling icons in application settings
Many applications allow you to disable their icons:
- Open the app.
- Go to its settings.
- Find the option to display the icon in the menu bar and disable it.
Adding system icons
- Open System Settings.
- Click Control Center in the left panel.
- Enable the display of items such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or focus mode if you need them.
Best apps to hide logos on Mac top bar
If the standard macOS features aren’t enough, you can use third-party apps to control icons in the menu bar. Here are the best of them:
Bartender
Bartender is a popular app that lets you hide icons, customize their order, and create groups. You can customize hotkeys for quick access to hidden items.
Hidden Bar
Hidden Bar is a free and simple app for hiding unnecessary icons. It allows you to minimize icons into a separate area, freeing up space on the menu bar.
iBar
iBar is a handy tool that allows you to manage and organize menu bar icons in a minimalistic style. Features simple operation and flexible customization.
Barbee
Barbee is an application that helps you hide icons and customize their order. It also supports automatic context-dependent icon visibility management.
Conclusion
The Menu Bar is a powerful macOS tool that, when properly customized, can make your work much easier. By controlling icons, changing the appearance, and using third-party apps, you can customize it to suit your needs. We hope these tips will help you make the menu bar user-friendly and functional!
