How to Improve the Top Menu Bar on Mac? The menu bar on Mac, along with the Dock, has long been a hallmark of Apple computers. Functional elements along the top edge of the macOS screen are used to select commands, perform tasks, check your computer’s status, and more.
However, not everyone knows how to properly manage this component of the system and get the most out of it. We tell you how to simplify your work by competently using the top menu bar.
How to Improve the Top Menu Bar on Mac?
The top menu bar is a very useful and easy-to-use macOS system component.
By default, the line is divided into two parts. On the left are the Apple menu and the application menu (File, Edit, View, Window, etc.). On the right side of the menu bar are items in the form of icons.
Use these items to check your Mac’s status (like battery life) or adjust features (like keyboard brightness). Third-party developers often add their app items to the menu bar.
How to Add VPN to Menu Bar on Mac
Adding a VPN to the top line, you can’t run the app itself to enable encryption
VPN Services are very popular with Russians. This is especially noticeable in the App Store, where the top rows of the top rankings are occupied not by entertainment apps and instant messengers, but by virtual private networks. Some VPN services such as VPN Proxy Master can be added to the menu bar for quick login. To do this, you need:
- Go to App Store on Mac and download the VPN Proxy Master app;
- Install and run the program;
- At launch, an icon with a key will appear in the menu, clicking on it, the application interface will appear.
Now the VPN connection can be activated anytime and anywhere on the computer. VPN Proxy Master offers free usage with a throughput of up to 500MB per day. For unlimited, the developers ask for 999 rubles per month.
How to Pin Folders and Files to Status Menu on Mac?
Application icons can be pinned directly to the top menu bar
Unfortunately, Apple has not added to macOS status menu a large number of functions. For the most part, it’s used to see battery charge, language layout, or Wi-Fi connection. Luckily, the company doesn’t restrict access for developers to create handy interactive programs.
The status menu can be used as a Finder and Launchpad at the same time by adding the necessary folders, files and applications to it. The creator of the free app Folder Peek has taken care of that. To quickly access files and applications through the status menu, you must:
- Go to the App Store and search for the Folder Peek app.
- Run the program. An eye icon will appear in the menu, prompting you to add the first folder;
- Click “Add Folder”;
- A Finder window will appear, select the desired folder, which will appear in the menu;
- To add programs to the Finder window, select the Applications folder.
Ready. The program allows you to add multiple folders and change their appearance. To customize the icons, click on an already added folder and navigate to the item with three dots.
Then select Configure Folder and in the window that appears, rename the icon or change it in the menu custom icon. It should be noted that the app requires macOS Monterey 12.3 or later.
How to Hide Menu Bar Icons on Mac?
If the menu bar icons get in your way, you can hide them
Fans of minimalism may not like the abundance of icons located at the top. Unfortunately, “File”, “Edit”, “View”, “Window” and other items cannot be hidden, but computer status icons can. To do this, drag the icon down with the mouse while holding down the Command key until a cross appears and release the icon.
To retrieve the icons, go to “System Preferences” > “Menu Bar & Dock” and in the list of checkpoints, add the missing icons. In the same section you can change the appearance of the clock, for example, add seconds or make it analog.
If you want to hide menu bar icons on Mac without deleting them, in order to minimize and hide them, you need to use third-party utilities, such as Hidden Bar:
Hide app icons and enjoy a clean menu bar
- Go to the App Store and search for the Hidden Bar app.
- Run the program. A welcome window will appear and two new icons will appear in the menu bar – an arrow and a wand;
- With the command key held down, drag the icons you want to hide to the left of the wand;
- Click the arrow.
Now all your menu bar icons will be hidden, and if you suddenly need it, you can click the arrow again to access it. If you want to completely hide the status bar, go to System Preferences > Menu Bar & Dock and turn on the toggle switch to Automatically Hide/Show Desktop Menus. To display a line, move your mouse to the top of the screen.
macOS It’s far from a perfect operating system. Often many functions in it are impractically implemented or not implemented at all. For me personally, the ability to add a VPN to the menu has become the number one feature. Share what you miss about Apple’s OC and the apps you use to work comfortably on your Mac.
