Mastering Menu Bar Icon Editing, Customization, and Removal on a Mac

Some Noticeable Information

Rearrange, hide, or remove cluttered menu bar icons on your Mac by holding the Command key and dragging them.

To remove icons such as Siri and Spotlight from the macOS menu bar, simply drag them out or disable them in System Settings. Similarly, eliminate third-party icons by accessing the relevant app settings.

For customization of the time, date, name, and Control Center, navigate to System Settings and select Control Center.

Your Mac's menu bar can be personalized with various shortcuts and quick actions, making it more efficient. However, if the menu bar becomes cluttered with icons, you may want to customize it by rearranging, hiding, or removing certain elements. This guide will show you how to tailor the menu bar according to your preferences.

What Is the Menu Bar?

If you happen to be reading this, chances are you're already familiar with the menu bar. However, in case you aren't, the menu bar refers to the collection of icons displayed at the top right corner of your Mac screen, adjacent to the time.

Drag Menu Bar Icons to Rearrange Them

The macOS operating system and third-party applications utilize this space to conveniently display icons for easy access. However, when there is an excessive amount of icons on the screen simultaneously, this functionality can become impeded. Moreover, this overcrowding can create a cluttered and unattractive appearance, making it more challenging to locate the icons that are frequently used.

You have the flexibility to rearrange the majority of menu bar icons simply by holding down the Command key and then clicking and dragging. However, please note that there are a few exceptions to this. Specifically, you cannot click and drag the time and date, you are unable to move Control Center, and if you have enabled the Siri menu bar icon, it remains fixed in place.

Remove Menu Bar Icons (Including macOS Icons Like Siri)

Removing icons from your menu bar is as simple as removing them from your Mac dock. To do this, all you need to do is hold the Command key, click on the icon, and drag it out of the menu bar. Once you see an "X" appear, simply let go of the mouse button.

To disable certain icons, they cannot be dragged and should be deactivated through the settings. Navigate to the System Settings > Control Center to access a comprehensive list of available options. Modify the "Show in Menu Bar" setting to "Don't Show in Menu Bar" in order to eliminate the icons you wish to remove.

Consider removing certain unnecessary icons such as the Spotlight search magnifying glass (easily accessed by pressing Command+Space), Siri (activated by saying "Hey Siri" or holding F5), and VPN icons (especially if you utilize a specific VPN client). Icons can always be re-added via this menu.

Additionally, it may be beneficial to enable the battery percentage display alongside the "Battery" module, enhancing the usefulness of the icon.

Disable Third-Party Menu Bar Icons From the App

The Command and drag method cannot be used to eliminate third-party app icons. To conveniently remove these icons, you can modify the settings of the respective app that allows their display. Certain apps, such as ExpressVPN, provide options to choose whether the icon is shown in the dock, the menu bar, or in both locations.

Sometimes, the icon displayed in the menu bar is a background process. To remove background processes on a Mac, go to System Settings > General > Login Items, specifically the "Allow in the Background" section. Alternatively, if the icon is associated with an app that launches at startup, locate it within the "Open at Login" section of the same menu.

Some apps always display an icon while they are being used, and unfortunately, there isn't much flexibility in changing this. Take Evernote as an example; it places a Quick Note shortcut in the menu bar without providing an option to disable it. Your options are either to replace Evernote with a superior note-taking app or utilize a third-party application like Bartender or Hidden Bar to conceal it.

Hide Menu Bar Icons with Third-Party Apps

In certain cases, it may be necessary to temporarily conceal icons to avoid constant visibility. This approach is particularly useful if you wish to retain the icon for future use.

Bartender is an application priced at $16, offering a four-week trial that revolves around this very concept. By default, Bartender positions a compact ellipsis (…) on the left side of your menu bar. By holding the Command key and clicking and dragging icons to the left of this ellipsis, they can be hidden. To reveal and access your hidden icons, simply click on the ellipsis. Once you move your cursor away, the icons will disappear once again.

The Bartender application offers various additional features, such as the option to showcase icons on a dedicated bar. It also enables users to customize icon hiding behaviors, personalize the menu bar with distinct colors and borders, and leverage deployable presets, triggers, hotkeys, and more.

Hidden Bar is a free and lightweight application that carries out the identical fundamental function in a similar manner. It can be effortlessly downloaded from Github. This application employs a trigger arrow as well as a spacer to segregate various applications. By relocating the apps to one side of the spacer, you can conveniently expand or contract the menu bar using the arrow.

Customize the Time, Date, and Name in the Menu Bar

To customize the date and time display in the top-right corner of your macOS screen, navigate to System Settings, then Control Center, and select "Clock." Click on "Clock Options…" to open a new settings panel specifically for customizing the display.

You have the option to select the display of the date and day of the week, switch between analog and digital styles, utilize a 24-hour clock, toggle the flashing of time separators, show seconds, and specify the frequency and manner of time announcements.

To modify the displayed name, navigate to System Settings > Control Center and locate the "Fast User Switching" section. By selecting an option from the "Show in Menu Bar" dropdown, you can opt to conceal your name, display your full name, show your account name, or solely show the Fast User Switching icon. If space is limited, hiding your name is advisable.

Add Useful Icons Like Now Playing or Shortcuts

After creating some room in the menu bar, it is now time to enrich it with additional valuable icons. Under System Settings > Control Center, you will discover various options, including a Now Playing icon that is compatible with applications such as Music, Spotify, and even Safari web pages.

Utilize Shortcuts to create efficient workflows that can be utilized on mobile platforms as well as macOS. A highly beneficial method to utilize Shortcuts on your Mac is through the menu bar. To enable the display of the icon, ensure that Shortcuts can be activated using the menu bar.

Lastly, your menu bar can be enhanced with a set of third-party apps, all geared towards simplifying your life. These apps encompass various functionalities such as clipboard management (for instance, the cost-free and open-source Maccy), bandwidth management (TripMode), preventing sleep interruptions (Amphetamine), and monitoring the status of your system (iStat Menus).

Control Center Makes Some Menu Bar Icons Redundant

The most valuable icons are located in the Control Center, and they cannot be relocated or deleted. This is advantageous because there is no longer a need to exhibit Wi-Fi or battery details in the menu bar, as they can now be found in the Control Center.

To personalize what is displayed, go to System Settings > Control Center. Although most elements cannot be removed, there are a few options in the "Other Modules" section that can be adjusted.

Control Center contains various controls organized into their corresponding sections. For instance, the "Display" section houses the Dark Mode and Night Shift toggle switches. Similarly, the "Sound" section includes controls for sound output, as well as options for managing AirPods transparency mode or noise cancellation.

Remove Distractions and Stay Focused

The menu bar, when well-organized, offers a quick overview of essential information such as the time and battery levels. It also grants convenient access to frequently-used apps, such as a VPN or clipboard history, allowing for efficient multitasking. Eliminating unnecessary elements from the menu bar promotes improved concentration on the current task.

Want to be even more focused on your Mac? Give the macOS background sounds feature a shot, try out the Pomodoro Technique, and block distracting websites altogether.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I find the article on mastering menu bar icon editing, customization, and removal on a Mac to be quite informative and useful. The guide provides clear and concise instructions on how to rearrange, hide, or remove cluttered menu bar icons, which can greatly enhance productivity and eliminate distractions.

Moreover, the article highlights the importance of keeping the menu bar organized and focused, which resonates with my generation's preference for efficiency and minimalism. Overall, I believe this guide serves as a valuable resource for Mac users looking to optimize their menu bar and enhance their overall user experience.