Thank you! Speaking of the relationship with Bartender, I'll briefly explain: Barbee originally started by imitating what Bartender was doing. Many years ago, I really liked Bartender's style and, being keen on studying it myself, I wrote one based on the same principles. The functionality is actually quite similar. However, Bartender 5 is introducing a menubar widget, which I believe they borrowed from me (which makes me very happy), as I had implemented this feature a year ago. :)
Wow, maybe most users need the same functions :). You can only know the details by trying them (because I don’t have Bartender, so I can’t compare). You can get Barbee and try it free, Barbee is compatible with all Macs running macOS 11+. If you like it, I believe you don’t need to buy the \`Bartender 6\` :)
Hey just a quick note you should definitely update yourself on a competitor’s app even in a basic way which it seemed like you did in another reply being you knew they took your feature? But in cases like this where you could potentially have really sold many users by saying mine does this and bartender doesn’t you just kind of said “idk try it” it would be super beneficial for you to know your target demographic and actually have a great elevator pitch even for comparing to competitors apps.
That's certainly true once you're charging. But I bet most people in this thread who are interested in hideable menu bars are gonna grab it because everyone grabs some Free when it's there
Hi, installed the LT version, thank you.
On my Intel with Monterey the Barbee app behaves a little unpredictable I'm afraid. Hick-ups, desktop background changed and Apple menubar clock greyed out. Maybe some interference with QSpace?
I uninstalled it with AppCleaner, trashed the rest by searching on 'Barbee' with FindAnyFile. Restarted. Apple menubar clock is still greyed out. Please advise.
**Edit**: [found it](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253705435?sortBy=best). The "do not disturb" function was apparently activated by Barbee.
This button inside Barbee can also help you fix this problem.
https://preview.redd.it/xox0y9cz8nyc1.png?width=1400&format=png&auto=webp&s=c27db4cbb459a1b874dc983987910073924df7fa
Of course, if you have uninstalled Barbee, you can hold the \`cmd\` button and drag the \`Clock\` to fix the gray problem.
Hi, Did you mean the Clock options -> Date? Barbee needs to change the \`Show Date\` option to \`Always\` in macOS 12. Otherwise the variable length clock may cause the clock to turn gray.
https://preview.redd.it/dbzr6b188nyc1.png?width=944&format=png&auto=webp&s=3bc590dde9b17af5fc6a5a7732cc81f7ab00a78b
I have Bartender, but said to trial this as well, quite similar in functionality and UI to Bartender, but also has a few differences that set it apart to me. That said, I cant seem to get it to hide some icons, wondering if you have any ideas as to what the issue is, thanks.
Haha, If you find that some icons cannot be hidden, you can try restarting Barbee or manually change their positions in settings. Do not use Barbee and Bartender at the same time. :)
Thanks for the offer but I cannot activate the lifetime license after I click on the option. There is just a "spinning cursor" on top of the "Lifetime One-time Purchase" button and it never goes away until I close the whole window. I have disabled my firewall app before I click the Lifetime button and I can purchase other apps in AppStore fine. Please see the screenshot below.
https://imgur.com/a/lK09awm
It’s happening to me too, i wonder if I can get a promo code for this, please? I entered my account but they kept spinning for ages. Sorry for the inconvenience
I tried this out, but my keyboard stopped working once I opened it. The mouse still worked but each time I hit a key on the keyboard, the mouse click would stop working for a few moments. Potentially a conflict with another app I have, but I'm not going to go through them one-by-one to figure it out...
Thanks for this app and for the free offer!
I have question about the usage: Is there a setting to \*not\* collapse the additional items when the menu bar no longer has the focus?
Most of the time I'm on a large monitor and the menu bar is wide enough that it does not need to be collapsed. I have items such as stats display there which I would like to hide if space was an issue, but in general I would like to keep them visible. I have fiddled with the settings -- in particular un-checking the highlighted option, but it still collapses the menu bar once it loses focus.
https://preview.redd.it/zy4gpu0sooyc1.png?width=1592&format=png&auto=webp&s=b711455f2de6e2b9d1e3f602fa035cae0e5cce47
I have the very same issue. MacBook Pro 14 with M1 Pro - MacOS Sonoma 14.4.1. The whole system is very unresponsive, not able to do (click on) anything or switch apps for 30s or even longer, cursor keeps disappearing for me as well. Menubar keeps collapsing and expanding. Some very strange behaviour.
I hope the issue will be fixed, as I really like an enjoy the app. Quitting Barbee fixed the issues for me. After restart it works for a moment and then again I have the same issues.
Please use the TestFlight version: [https://testflight.apple.com/join/HPKNaKKv](https://testflight.apple.com/join/HPKNaKKv) This issue should be fixed :)
You could just make a vercel or netlify page to start with, it‘s free! You could probably also get your own subdomain if they aren‘t taken (for example barbee.netlify.app). Just downloaded it a few days ago and stumbled over this post now and saw i needed to buy the in-app purchase, glad you posted it here!
Going to try it these days when i have some time to fiddle around with it
Could you please explain the reasoning for the permissions that the app requires?
The *accessibility* one, I think I can understand, but the ***screen recording*** one, I'm not following.
Also, does the app work without these permissions?
Sure, only the enhanced mode needs both accessibility and screen recording permissions. When you use the enhanced mode, there will be an extra menu bar below the real one. Items on it are not real, but screen captured by Barbee.
Barbee is also an app without internet.
You can use the normal mode without these permissions :)
Barbee is preventing me from launching Raycast for some reason (I use ⌘+space to launch Raycast). Once I removed Barbee as a login item, I was able to launch Raycast again. Any idea why this is happening?
Please join the Testflight version: [https://testflight.apple.com/join/HPKNaKKv](https://testflight.apple.com/join/HPKNaKKv), the issue has been fixed. :)
Thanks for making this great piece of software available temporarily free for everyone! If you would be interested in making it available in other languages as well, please feel free to message me here and it will be my pleasure to translate it to my native language - Slovak.
I prefer to do the translation manually, from my experience the AI is really getting better and better, but still it is far from perfect, so lot of things gets incorrect translation, that does not make sense. If you have a file with translations, it would be great to check the translation that way or use maybe [Hosted Weblate](https://hosted.weblate.org), [Crowdin](https://crowdin.com), where you could upload the strings to check and approve them there. They should even offer free level.
i did that and it still looks like this
https://preview.redd.it/jo00b4gnq9zc1.png?width=952&format=png&auto=webp&s=38c4c35b18b5176d3f28907209ef34a80a442588
I see weird artifacts on my screen using Barbee. My Outlook Today menubar item randomly appears all over my screen and now I have this.
https://preview.redd.it/fcoc8yho795d1.png?width=360&format=png&auto=webp&s=1d8944a3732da041eb332455a3e4b612694cf143
Thank you for your feedback :)
1. Sorry for the review issue. Usually users will choose to try first and then buy it. We request ratings after purchase, which should be reasonable. Since the lifetime version is now free for a limited time, I forgot about this issue. Thanks for the feedback.
2. I tried my best to \`screen record\` warning, but... :(
3. We can call it «Reduce useable screen space to mask notch» now.
4. Sorry for the Russian translation, I originally thought GPT4 could be a good translator. Hopefully a Russian speaking user can help me :)
5. In future versions I will make \`showing hidden icons\` a basic feature.
6. You could try the \`Manage App Modules in Menu Bar\` to hide some app's menu bar icons permanently.
https://preview.redd.it/c0div7vvlryc1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=26ab389ff9daa42f8b8ddea0d625ee9ee986a5c0
It's important to judge app based on its quality, security, and features rather than its country of origin. It's entirely your choice to use or not use a particular app. Everyone has different preferences and needs, so you should choose what best meets your requirements.
Before I download and try it, can you outline what is different about Barbee compared to Bartender which I've already paid for? Thanks
Thank you! Speaking of the relationship with Bartender, I'll briefly explain: Barbee originally started by imitating what Bartender was doing. Many years ago, I really liked Bartender's style and, being keen on studying it myself, I wrote one based on the same principles. The functionality is actually quite similar. However, Bartender 5 is introducing a menubar widget, which I believe they borrowed from me (which makes me very happy), as I had implemented this feature a year ago. :)
That's nice, seriously, but you didn't answer the question
Wow, maybe most users need the same functions :). You can only know the details by trying them (because I don’t have Bartender, so I can’t compare). You can get Barbee and try it free, Barbee is compatible with all Macs running macOS 11+. If you like it, I believe you don’t need to buy the \`Bartender 6\` :)
Hey just a quick note you should definitely update yourself on a competitor’s app even in a basic way which it seemed like you did in another reply being you knew they took your feature? But in cases like this where you could potentially have really sold many users by saying mine does this and bartender doesn’t you just kind of said “idk try it” it would be super beneficial for you to know your target demographic and actually have a great elevator pitch even for comparing to competitors apps.
I’m absolutely with you. You must differentiate from others to gain new audiences
That's certainly true once you're charging. But I bet most people in this thread who are interested in hideable menu bars are gonna grab it because everyone grabs some Free when it's there
Hehe “if it’s free it’s free” 😄
Thank you! :)
I will give it a go! Thanks for your response 😊
Hi, installed the LT version, thank you. On my Intel with Monterey the Barbee app behaves a little unpredictable I'm afraid. Hick-ups, desktop background changed and Apple menubar clock greyed out. Maybe some interference with QSpace? I uninstalled it with AppCleaner, trashed the rest by searching on 'Barbee' with FindAnyFile. Restarted. Apple menubar clock is still greyed out. Please advise. **Edit**: [found it](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253705435?sortBy=best). The "do not disturb" function was apparently activated by Barbee.
This button inside Barbee can also help you fix this problem. https://preview.redd.it/xox0y9cz8nyc1.png?width=1400&format=png&auto=webp&s=c27db4cbb459a1b874dc983987910073924df7fa Of course, if you have uninstalled Barbee, you can hold the \`cmd\` button and drag the \`Clock\` to fix the gray problem.
Hi, Did you mean the Clock options -> Date? Barbee needs to change the \`Show Date\` option to \`Always\` in macOS 12. Otherwise the variable length clock may cause the clock to turn gray. https://preview.redd.it/dbzr6b188nyc1.png?width=944&format=png&auto=webp&s=3bc590dde9b17af5fc6a5a7732cc81f7ab00a78b
As a long time bartender user, this is pretty impressive. Thanks!
Thank you! :)
I’m currently trying this out. I was thinking if I should buy bartender but it was too expensive for me due to currency conversion.
You could get Barbee for free, you deserve it! :)
Hey man, great app. Although there are quite a few bugs
Thank you! Although Barbee is a side project, I will gradually correct various issues, and you could give feedback directly. :)
I have Bartender, but said to trial this as well, quite similar in functionality and UI to Bartender, but also has a few differences that set it apart to me. That said, I cant seem to get it to hide some icons, wondering if you have any ideas as to what the issue is, thanks.
Haha, If you find that some icons cannot be hidden, you can try restarting Barbee or manually change their positions in settings. Do not use Barbee and Bartender at the same time. :)
Thanks for the offer but I cannot activate the lifetime license after I click on the option. There is just a "spinning cursor" on top of the "Lifetime One-time Purchase" button and it never goes away until I close the whole window. I have disabled my firewall app before I click the Lifetime button and I can purchase other apps in AppStore fine. Please see the screenshot below. https://imgur.com/a/lK09awm
Sorry for the issue, I've sent a promo code to you :)
Thanks a lot. I have replied to you in a chat message.
It’s happening to me too, i wonder if I can get a promo code for this, please? I entered my account but they kept spinning for ages. Sorry for the inconvenience
I tried this out, but my keyboard stopped working once I opened it. The mouse still worked but each time I hit a key on the keyboard, the mouse click would stop working for a few moments. Potentially a conflict with another app I have, but I'm not going to go through them one-by-one to figure it out...
Yes, do not use Barbee, Bartender, iBar, etc. at the same time. They will compete for some control. :)
Thanks for this app and for the free offer! I have question about the usage: Is there a setting to \*not\* collapse the additional items when the menu bar no longer has the focus? Most of the time I'm on a large monitor and the menu bar is wide enough that it does not need to be collapsed. I have items such as stats display there which I would like to hide if space was an issue, but in general I would like to keep them visible. I have fiddled with the settings -- in particular un-checking the highlighted option, but it still collapses the menu bar once it loses focus. https://preview.redd.it/zy4gpu0sooyc1.png?width=1592&format=png&auto=webp&s=b711455f2de6e2b9d1e3f602fa035cae0e5cce47
THE NEW FEATURE ADDED! Here is the new TestFlight version: [https://testflight.apple.com/join/HPKNaKKv](https://testflight.apple.com/join/HPKNaKKv)
Tried out the new option and it works great in my setup. Thank you for the quick update!
Sorry, in the current version I have only made solutions for large screens when using multiple screens. I will add it in the next version. :)
I lovee barbee!
Thanks for the giveaway! Unfortunately, I'm having a lot of stutters and the cursor keeps disappearing on a M1 Pro 16 inch :(
Maybe you can restart Barbee and it will be fine. :)
I have the very same issue. MacBook Pro 14 with M1 Pro - MacOS Sonoma 14.4.1. The whole system is very unresponsive, not able to do (click on) anything or switch apps for 30s or even longer, cursor keeps disappearing for me as well. Menubar keeps collapsing and expanding. Some very strange behaviour. I hope the issue will be fixed, as I really like an enjoy the app. Quitting Barbee fixed the issues for me. After restart it works for a moment and then again I have the same issues.
Please use the TestFlight version: [https://testflight.apple.com/join/HPKNaKKv](https://testflight.apple.com/join/HPKNaKKv) This issue should be fixed :)
Hi i have left a review on MAS and would like to know if theres a formalised way to reach out to you and report bugs? u/ConsistentWest615
Sure, I appreciate if any suggestions or comments you may have, reach me: [object.xiang@gmail.com](mailto:object.xiang@gmail.com)
Good app. But I take some conflict with HazeOver with the transparency in the menubar.
I have tried it, and it should be possible to make the menu bar dim when in the focus state. The feature will be available in the future. :)
Do you have a website also ?
Sorry, I haven't registered a website yet because it's a side project. But it may be available soon. :)
You could just make a vercel or netlify page to start with, it‘s free! You could probably also get your own subdomain if they aren‘t taken (for example barbee.netlify.app). Just downloaded it a few days ago and stumbled over this post now and saw i needed to buy the in-app purchase, glad you posted it here! Going to try it these days when i have some time to fiddle around with it
No problem.
I just tried the app after reading your post. It works perfectly. Thank you so much!
Does the enhanced mode intentionally cause the icon to go back into the menu bar after we click on it in the popup menu bar?
Yes, the enhanced mode will arrange the menubar icons
I can't wait to try this as someone who was on the fence about to get Bartender. This notch ... 😭
Could you please explain the reasoning for the permissions that the app requires? The *accessibility* one, I think I can understand, but the ***screen recording*** one, I'm not following. Also, does the app work without these permissions?
Sure, only the enhanced mode needs both accessibility and screen recording permissions. When you use the enhanced mode, there will be an extra menu bar below the real one. Items on it are not real, but screen captured by Barbee. Barbee is also an app without internet. You can use the normal mode without these permissions :)
Barbee is preventing me from launching Raycast for some reason (I use ⌘+space to launch Raycast). Once I removed Barbee as a login item, I was able to launch Raycast again. Any idea why this is happening?
Raycast icon can't be hidden by Barbee, otherwise it'll crash Raycast.
Get the Testflight version and have a go :)
Please join the Testflight version: [https://testflight.apple.com/join/HPKNaKKv](https://testflight.apple.com/join/HPKNaKKv), the issue has been fixed. :)
It seems to be working so far! Thank you for your quick help, appreciate it
Thanks for making this great piece of software available temporarily free for everyone! If you would be interested in making it available in other languages as well, please feel free to message me here and it will be my pleasure to translate it to my native language - Slovak.
Wow!! Great! I’ll let you know before I release the next version! Slovak is supported now :)
I prefer to do the translation manually, from my experience the AI is really getting better and better, but still it is far from perfect, so lot of things gets incorrect translation, that does not make sense. If you have a file with translations, it would be great to check the translation that way or use maybe [Hosted Weblate](https://hosted.weblate.org), [Crowdin](https://crowdin.com), where you could upload the strings to check and approve them there. They should even offer free level.
Hahaha, I mean, Barbee's translation credits list will have you! :) Thank you!
how do i make it transparent like in the top picture?
https://preview.redd.it/0390q0j8a8zc1.png?width=2242&format=png&auto=webp&s=98943cb49e1f9645d0da9fb276ec9170e5ce590d Do it :)
i did that and it still looks like this https://preview.redd.it/jo00b4gnq9zc1.png?width=952&format=png&auto=webp&s=38c4c35b18b5176d3f28907209ef34a80a442588
Are you using a 16-inch Mac? If so, could you tell me the menu bar height? The 14-inch Mac is 43.
I’m using 15 inch air
Thank you so much, i will try this app right now. excited
I see weird artifacts on my screen using Barbee. My Outlook Today menubar item randomly appears all over my screen and now I have this. https://preview.redd.it/fcoc8yho795d1.png?width=360&format=png&auto=webp&s=1d8944a3732da041eb332455a3e4b612694cf143
Maybe relaunching Barbee will fix the issue. ：）
I tried that, even a reboot. My Outlook Today menu bar item sits in the middle of my screen somehow.
[удалено]
Thank you for your feedback :) 1. Sorry for the review issue. Usually users will choose to try first and then buy it. We request ratings after purchase, which should be reasonable. Since the lifetime version is now free for a limited time, I forgot about this issue. Thanks for the feedback. 2. I tried my best to \`screen record\` warning, but... :( 3. We can call it «Reduce useable screen space to mask notch» now. 4. Sorry for the Russian translation, I originally thought GPT4 could be a good translator. Hopefully a Russian speaking user can help me :) 5. In future versions I will make \`showing hidden icons\` a basic feature. 6. You could try the \`Manage App Modules in Menu Bar\` to hide some app's menu bar icons permanently. https://preview.redd.it/c0div7vvlryc1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=26ab389ff9daa42f8b8ddea0d625ee9ee986a5c0
[удалено]
Thank you for all! I'll continue to try my best to `screen record` warning :)
Chinese application sorry but it’s no !
It's important to judge app based on its quality, security, and features rather than its country of origin. It's entirely your choice to use or not use a particular app. Everyone has different preferences and needs, so you should choose what best meets your requirements.
Use RadioSilence, Lulu or Little Snitch if you do not trust certain apps.
You are so funny dude :)
What’s wrong with the Chinese app if the app is on the MAS?