MacOS – way to hide, stack or collapse menubar icons

macosmenu bar

Right now I have far too many icons on my menubar. I know I can command drag them off of there. But I do need to use them on occasion. Is there any app that will combine menubar items into one such that I can click to drop down if I need to use any of those?

One example is my address book -> gmail address book sync. I don't actually need it in my menubar (it syncs periodically on its own). But when I remove it from the menubar, it stops syncing.

I'd even be happy with an app/script/tool that would leave it there but just hide it from me.

Best Answer

Mac Bartender

I've been struggling with this problem for quite some time as well and I think I've finally found a good solution.

I'm using Mac Bartender which is in free beta at the time of writing. The app has a lot of useful features for cleaning up an overflowing menubar.

For each menubar icon you can choose to:

  • Display it normally
  • Completely hide it
  • Display it in the menubar when Mac Bartender is activated
  • Display it in the Bartender Bar when Mac Bartender is activated

One thing to note is that it doesn't let you manage the built-in OSX 'menulets' (wifi, sound, spotlight, etc) yet, but that feature is coming according to their FAQ.

Messy Menubar

Messy Menubar

Clean Menubar

Clean Menubar

Bartender Bar

Bartender Bar

From the official site

Take control of your Menu Bar

With Bartender you can choose which apps stay in the Menu Bar, are displayed in Bartenders Bar or Hidden completely.

Bartenders Bar

Can be displayed and hidden as you want, by clicking on the Bartender Icon or via a hot key.

Minimalism

If you want a really clean look and privacy, Bartender can also be hidden.

Menu Bar Apps still work the same

Apps still work the same when they are in Bartenders Bar allowing you quick access to them when needed, but keep them out of sight when not.

Bartenders Bar can be placed where you want

Bartenders Bar can be moved at any time to any horizontal position immediately under the Menu Bar. Or it can open under the Bartender Menu Bar Icon.

Show an App in the Menu Bar for 5 seconds when it updates

Set up your Apps to be displayed in the Menu Bar for 5 seconds when they update.

Hide Menu from left of Menu Bar to display maximum Menu Bar Apps

Bartender can remove the left hand side Menu temporarily to display the maximum possible Menu Bar Apps in the Menu Bar.

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