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Surtees Studios has released Bartender 4 for macOS Big Sur, following extended testing in public beta. As well as macOS 11 support, the popular tool for rearranging or hiding Mac menu bar items now runs native on M1 Macs and comes with several new features and core abilities.

BartenderBar@2x.jpg

With Big Sur, Apple increased the space between menu bar items, which reduces the space available for icons. To alleviate this problem, Bartender 4 now allows users to revert to pre-Big Sur spacing or even use no spacing so to fit in more menu bar apps.

Bartender 4 also introduces menu bar spacers, which allow users to add spacers between groups of menu bar items that can either be just a configurable space, text, or even emoji, for grouping menu bar items into similar groups.

bartender-4-spacing.jpg

Meanwhile, there are new triggers for showing menu bar items, including image comparisons that show a menu bar item when it matches a particular state, and the ability to use scripts to show items, such as when VPNs or AirPods connect, for example. Other built-in triggers include showing the battery icon when on battery power and showing Time Machine during a backup.

With the new Quick Reveal feature, users can now also get instant access to hidden menu bar items by moving their mouse to the menu bar, or alternately by clicking the menu bar.

bartender-4-quick-reveal.gif

Elsewhere, there are improvements to Bartender's search function, which now sports a Spotlight-like interface with fuzzy search to very quickly find, show and activate menu bar items from your keyboard. It's also now possible to assign hotkeys to menu bar items to display them.

In addition, Bartender 4 introduces a new preferences screen to organize and order menu bar items, and choose where new menu bar items are placed.

Bartender 4 costs $15 after a free four-week trial, while upgrading users get a 50% discount. Bartender 4 is also featured in MacPaw's Setapp app store.

Article Link: Bartender 4 Now Supports macOS Big Sur, Gains Menu Bar Spacing Options, Quick Reveal, and More
 
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i prefer hidden bar free and open source
 
i prefer hidden bar free and open source
Does it work on Big Sur? The screenshots show Catalina.
 
Such a nice app, a must have for me. Been running the beta of Bartender 4 since I bought an MBA M1 and it has has worked well, the menu bar was horrible otherwise. Filled with useful details like showing a menu icon if it differs from how it usually looks.
 
What permissions do you have to grant this application in order for it to make adjustments to your menu bar?

I'm lacking any of the features of my Logitech MX Master mouse and G915 Keyboard because I refuse to give Logitech Software access to Keyboard input (all keystrokes), Accessibility controls (essentially everything) and Bluetooth (the only understandable request) which it incredible claims to be required for me to so much as use the side mouse button to go forward and back in my browser.
 
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As others say… had Bartender. It's good. It's too good, if you will. Worth the $15.

I'm using Hidden Bar because I don't need too much. Works fine on Big Sur.

Cannot go wrong with either, and honestly, this should be a part of the OS (looking at you, Apple).
 
i prefer hidden bar free and open source
thanks for the suggestion — downloading)
 
One of my favourite apps and the developer has always been committed to regular and sensible updates. The only thing I really miss is being able to display apps in alphabetical order. For an app that helps avoid mess, it could be slightly better at keeping things tidy within itself.
 
What permissions do you have to grant this application in order for it to make adjustments to your menu bar?

I'm lacking any of the features of my Logitech MX Master mouse and G915 Keyboard because I refuse to give Logitech Software access to Keyboard input (all keystrokes), Accessibility controls (essentially everything) and Bluetooth (the only understandable request) which it incredible claims to be required for me to so much as use the side mouse button to go forward and back in my browser.

That’s like saying you refuse to give a browser internet access.

Just how do you expect it to do it’s job otherwise?

They need these because Apple have made that so.
 
If you purchased a BT 3 license after April 2020 you actually get a free upgrade to BT 4 (they note this in their FAQ). I purchased BT 3 in May 2020 and I was able to just download the free trial version of BT 4 and paste in my BT 3 license without having to pay a fee. Everything's working great.
 
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What permissions do you have to grant this application in order for it to make adjustments to your menu bar?

I'm lacking any of the features of my Logitech MX Master mouse and G915 Keyboard because I refuse to give Logitech Software access to Keyboard input (all keystrokes), Accessibility controls (essentially everything) and Bluetooth (the only understandable request) which it incredible claims to be required for me to so much as use the side mouse button to go forward and back in my browser.
Screen Shot 2021-04-19 at 7.08.31 AM.png

It needs permission under the Accessibility section to work.
 
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Looks nice. Unfortunately, I'm stuck on Catalina with my personal 2013 Mbp and High Sierra for my work laptops (cause corporate software comptat).
 
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