The MacBook Pro M4 Pro’s notch design has been a point of debate among users. While it maximizes screen space, it can cause menu bar items to disappear behind the notch, leading to usability challenges. If you’ve found yourself frustrated by this issue, this guide will provide step-by-step solutions to optimize your menu bar and ensure all icons remain visible.
Why Menu Bar Items Get Hidden Behind the Notch
The notch divides the top of the MacBook Pro screen into two sections. When too many menu bar icons are present on the right side, they overflow into the notch area, making them inaccessible. Unfortunately, macOS doesn’t automatically adjust the layout to compensate for this limitation.
Rearrange or Remove Unnecessary Menu Bar Icons
One of the easiest fixes is decluttering your menu bar by rearranging or removing unused icons.
Steps to Rearrange Icons
- Hold down the Command key (⌘) on your keyboard.
- Click and drag icons in the menu bar to reposition them.
- Move less important icons toward the left side or remove them entirely.
How to Remove Icons
- Navigate to System Settings > Control Center.
- Locate specific items like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
- Toggle them off or set them to appear only in Control Center instead of the menu bar.
By organizing your menu bar, you can prevent icons from disappearing into the notch and prioritize visibility for essential items.
Enable Scale to Fit Below Built-In Camera
macOS includes a feature that scales apps to fit below the camera notch, ensuring menus and elements don’t get hidden.
How to Enable This Option
- Quit any app experiencing issues with hidden menu items.
- Open Finder and navigate to Applications.
- Right-click the app and select Get Info.
- Check the box labeled Scale to fit below built-in camera.
This setting ensures that an app’s interface stays below the notch, preserving accessibility for its menu items.
Use Third-Party Apps for Enhanced Menu Bar Management
If built-in macOS solutions don’t fully solve the problem, consider using third-party tools designed specifically for menu bar customization.
Recommended Tools
- Bartender: A premium app that allows you to hide, rearrange, and organize your menu bar icons efficiently.
- Hidden Bar: A free alternative that lets you collapse less-used icons into an expandable section, freeing up space on your menu bar.
These apps provide more flexibility and control over how icons are displayed on your MacBook Pro’s screen, ensuring nothing gets obscured by the notch.
Keep macOS Updated
Apple frequently releases updates addressing bugs and compatibility issues, including those caused by design changes like the notch. Keeping your system updated can help resolve problems with hidden menu bar icons.
How to Update macOS
- Open System Settings on your MacBook Pro.
- Go to General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, click Update Now and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Staying up-to-date ensures your MacBook benefits from Apple’s latest optimizations and fixes.
Tweak Specific App Settings for Notch Compatibility
Some apps offer their own settings to avoid conflicts with the notch, especially those that rely heavily on menu bar interactions.
Example: Adjusting Google Chrome Settings
- Open Chrome and enter
chrome://flagsin the address bar. - Search for “notch support”.
- Enable this feature and restart Chrome.
For other applications, consult their support documentation for similar compatibility options.
FAQs
Can I completely hide the MacBook Pro notch?
No, the notch cannot be hidden entirely, but enabling “Scale to fit below built-in camera” ensures apps stay within visible boundaries.
Why do some apps work fine while others have issues?
Apps optimized for newer macOS versions handle the notch better than older or unsupported software.
Are there free tools similar to Bartender?
Yes, Hidden Bar is a free alternative that provides basic functionality for managing menu bar icons.
Will future macOS updates fix this issue?
Apple has already released updates addressing some notch-related concerns, so further improvements may arrive in future updates.
Conclusion
The MacBook Pro M4 Pro’s notch may present challenges, but these solutions can help you regain control of your menu bar:
- Rearrange or remove unnecessary icons using macOS settings.
- Enable “Scale to fit below built-in camera” for problematic apps.
- Use third-party tools like Bartender or Hidden Bar for more advanced customization.
- Keep macOS updated for improved compatibility.
- Adjust app-specific settings when available.
By applying these steps, you can resolve hidden menu bar issues and enjoy a seamless experience on your MacBook Pro M4 Pro. Take action today and reclaim your screen’s functionality! If you found this guide helpful, share it with others or leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions.
