It is ridiculous that Apple nonetheless would not supply a technique to disguise menu bar icons in macOS. Home windows has had this choices for the reason that launch of Home windows Vista 17 years in the past, however Mac customers who do not need to see each icon cluttering up the highest of their display screen must both disguise the menu bar solely or set up a 3rd occasion app that may deal with the job.
Till not too long ago, the appliance of selection for menu bar upkeep was Bartender, a $22 paid utility that was usually nicely regarded. However final week, a change of possession raised questions in regards to the app’s privateness. These issues will not be solely unwarranted: The handover occurred quietly and the appliance in query requires accessibility entry to the working system with a purpose to perform. Solely time will inform if the issue is legit—however I’m grateful that the questions from customers have introduced Ice some extra consideration.
Ice is a free and open supply different to Bartender that works completely nicely at hiding icons—similar to Bartender, you may drag icons whereas holding CMD to cover them. Any icon dragged to the left of the arrow icon will probably be hidden (more often than not).
Credit score: Justin Pot
In just a few moments, you may get your menu bar wanting a lot tidier.
Credit score: Justin Pot
Ice works very well. There’s even a second arrow you may drag icons previous, at which level you will not even see them n the expanded view, permitting you to maintain that tidy, too. It is nice.
Ice additionally provides just a few aesthetic tweaks price mentioning. You may carry again drop shadows, for instance, or add a border to your menu bar. You can even optionally “cut up” the bar, which I discover gimmicky, but it surely does can help you see extra of your wallpaper.
I am a longtime Bartender person, however after per week with Ice, I barely discover the distinction. Sure, there are just a few lacking options—you may’t select to point out sure icons solely underneath sure situations, which is an possibility with Bartender. (I used that characteristic to solely see the Time Machine icon whereas backups had been actively working and solely present the battery once I wasn’t related to energy—good choices, however not important. And it is price noting {that a} comparable characteristic is listed as a purpose for Ice, which is an open-source challenge, so perhaps we’ll have it quickly.
General, Ice is a good little app, particularly contemplating it is free. Test it out if you’re looking for a Bartender different, or in the event you’ve by no means used Bartender and simply need to neaten up your menu bar icons.
