SaneBar
Summary
SaneBar is a free macOS utility for hiding menu bar apps and bringing them back when needed. You can browse hidden icons in a floating Icon Panel or a full-width Second Menu Bar, search for icons, and use a one-click toggle, keyboard shortcuts, or per-icon hotkeys. It also supports AppleScript and Shortcuts automation, with triggers for events such as battery level, Wi-Fi, Focus, app launches, schedules, and scripts. Layouts can be imported from Bartender or Ice, and settings can be moved between Macs. Touch ID and password locking provide protection for icons. SaneBar keeps menu bar contents and personal files on the Mac; its privacy policy describes limited update requests and anonymous aggregate app counts. It is open source under the MIT License. The app requires macOS Accessibility permission and says Screen Recording is not needed for normal use. Most Apple menu extras and standard third-party menu bar apps work, though a few apps with unusual custom behavior may be exceptions. The free plan includes all features and requires macOS 14.0 Sonoma or later and Apple Silicon.
Who it is for
SaneBar suits Mac users who want to hide, search, and automate control of menu bar icons. It may also suit users who value local storage, open-source software, and icon locking.
What is good
- Free plan includes all features.
- Offers search, shortcuts, and per-icon hotkeys.
- Supports AppleScript, Shortcuts, and smart triggers.
- Imports layouts from Bartender or Ice.
- Open source under the MIT License.
What to know first
- Requires macOS 14.0 Sonoma or later.
- Requires Apple Silicon.
- Some apps with unusual custom behavior may be edge cases.
Verdict
SaneBar combines menu bar hiding with search, automation, migration, and icon locks in a free, open-source Mac app. Check its macOS and Apple Silicon requirements, and whether your menu bar apps have unusual behavior.
SaneBar plans and pricing
All plansCompared on menu bar customization software
- Free plan
- Yessanebar.com
- Hide menu items
- Yessanebar.com
- Rearrange items
- Yessanebar.com
- Group menu items
- Yessanebar.com
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Yessanebar.com
- Multiple displays
- Yessanebar.com
- Notch support
- Yessanebar.com
Facts
- Purpose
- SaneBar hides menu bar apps and lets users reveal and open them when needed.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Views
- Users can browse hidden icons in a floating Icon Panel or a full-width Second Menu Bar.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Search and shortcuts
- SaneBar supports icon search, a one-click hide and show toggle, keyboard shortcuts, and per-icon hotkeys.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Automation
- It offers AppleScript and Shortcuts automation plus smart triggers for events such as battery level, Wi-Fi, Focus, app launch, schedule, and scripts.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Migration
- Users can import icon layouts from Bartender or Ice and export or import settings between Macs.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Protection
- SaneBar includes Touch ID and password locking for icons.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Privacy
- The app keeps menu bar contents and personal files on the Mac; its privacy policy describes limited update requests and anonymous aggregate app counts.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Permissions
- SaneBar requires macOS Accessibility permission and says it does not require Screen Recording for normal use.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Open source
- SaneBar is fully open source under the MIT License, and its source code is public.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The maker says most Apple menu extras and normal third-party menu bar apps work, while a small number of apps with unusual custom behavior may be edge cases.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Support
- The maker directs privacy questions and issue reports to GitHub.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
- Maker
- The product page says SaneBar is made in America by Mr. Sane and is part of SaneApps.sanebar.com · 29 Sept 2026
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Sources
- sanebar.com· checked 29 Sept 2026
- sanebar.com/privacy· checked 29 Sept 2026