https://flaky.build/native-fix-for-applications-hiding-under-the-macbook-pro-notch

 
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[]Built-in workaround for applications hiding under the MacBook Pro
notchBuilt-in workaround for applications hiding under the MacBook
Pro notch


Built-in workaround for applications hiding under the MacBook Pro
notch

Tags
TIL
MacOS
Lifehack
Published
February 12, 2024
Author
Onni Hakala

TL;DR: You can adjust MacOS whitespace settings from the command line
to display more application icons in the top right section of the
menu bar.

 Hidden Apps Beneath the 14" and 16" MacBook Pro Notch

A frustrating aspect of the new MacBook Pro models is the notch. The
notch itself isn't the problem; rather, it's that Apple hasn't
automatically adjusted the menu bar icons so they don't hide behind
the notch when many apps are running.
My colleagues often suggest purchasing Bartender for about 20EUR to
solve this issue. While it offers many features, I've refused to pay
for a 3rd party solution to Apple's poor design decision. I have
nothing against Bartender but I just don't want to install yet
another app into my machine to solve such a simple problem.
Recently, I discovered a free, built-in macOS workaround that doesn't
require installing Bartender or any other additional apps. See the
results in the images below:
[]With the default settings, the MacBook top menu bar can only
accommodate 13 different apps.With the default settings, the MacBook
top menu bar can only accommodate 13 different apps.With the default
settings, the MacBook top menu bar can only accommodate 13 different
apps.
[]After adjusting the whitespace settings, it can fit several more.
After adjusting the whitespace settings, it can fit several more.
After adjusting the whitespace settings, it can fit several more.

 Adjusting the Menu Bar Whitespace Settings from the Command Line

You can modify the default padding and spacing in the Menu bar by
opening Terminal.app and executing the following commands:

# Change the whitespace settings value
defaults -currentHost write -globalDomain NSStatusItemSelectionPadding -int 6
defaults -currentHost write -globalDomain NSStatusItemSpacing -int 6

# After running these commands, you need to log out and log back in

You can adjust the values from 0 to 6 to accommodate even more icons.
Personally, I found 6 to be a good fit. This will allow you to add
more items to your menu bar before they will be hidden under the
notch. I estimate that with the value of 6 I can fit 21 apps to the
menu bar with my 14" MBP. If your apps will again be hidden under the
notch you can just lower this value.
!![?]
NOTE: Applying this workaround will allow you to fit more items to
your menu bar but the same issue will resurface if you keep adding
more apps which run in the menu bar.

 Reverting to the Original Values

If you're unhappy with the results, you can delete the settings by
executing the following commands:

# Revert to the original values
defaults -currentHost delete -globalDomain NSStatusItemSelectionPadding
defaults -currentHost delete -globalDomain NSStatusItemSpacing

# After running these commands, you need to log out and log back in

 Sources

I first learned about these settings in this answer on the
Apple-themed Stack Exchange, Ask Different:
 
Can the spacing of menu bar apps be modified in macOS Big Sur and
later?
It's much too wide, which is a problem if you use a lot of menu bar
apps.
[]Can the spacing of menu bar apps be modified in macOS Big Sur and
later?Can the spacing of menu bar apps be modified in macOS Big Sur
and later?
https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/465674/74811
[]Can the spacing of menu bar apps be modified in macOS Big Sur and
later?Can the spacing of menu bar apps be modified in macOS Big Sur
and later?

 Changelog

  * 12-02-2024 3:17 PM: I clarified that I have nothing against
    Bartender after Eric_WVGG shared a good point in HN. I haven't
    been writing a lot before and it seems I still have work to do to
    be more considerate towards others 

  * 12-02-2024 8:05 PM: I added a note that this will just postpone
    the issue after aeturnum commented about it in HN.

  * 12-02-2024 9:12 PM: I renamed the article from Native macOS fix
    for applications hiding under the MacBook Pro notch to Built-in
    MacOS workaround for applications hiding under the MacBook Pro
    notch to avoid confusion.

 
Table of Contents
Hidden Apps Beneath the 14" and 16" MacBook Pro NotchAdjusting the
Menu Bar Whitespace Settings from the Command LineReverting to the
Original ValuesSourcesChangelog
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