To remove an app from the Notification Center on your Mac, click on the Apple icon → Click 'System Preferences' → Click 'Notifications' → Click on an app → Uncheck the box next to 'Show in Notification Center.' Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET To force quit a Mac app, you can call up the Force Quit Applications menu from the Apple menu button in the upper-left corner or by hitting Command-Option-Esc. However, as you continue using your Mac, the menu bar can become cluttered and unorganized as different Apps and programs start automatically adding their icons to the Menu bar. Remove Icons From Mac Menu Bar Using Keyboard. In most cases, removing icons from the Menu bar of your Mac is a simple process and can be done using the keyboard.

Has your Mac Status or Menu bar become too crowded that it is no longer useful? Here are some tips to remove programs, organize and simplify your menu bar.

The Menu bar on your Mac display, flush against the top of the screen offers convenient, quick access to your current apps on the left side and static Status icons on the right. Some third-party apps like Dropbox and Adobe may also install icons in the Menu bar for quick access next to your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplay, Battery, Time, Siri, Spotlight and Notifications indicators. If you find that your Menu bar is starting to get cluttered and/or losing usefulness, it is time to remove some apps and icons and clean up your Menu bar.

Remove or Reorder Icons Using Command ⌘ Drag

You can remove or reorder any of the icons in your Menu bar, including the ones that may appear to be default ones by going into your Mac’s System Preferences. You can drill down to the panel for each icon and uncheck a box for the icon if you want to remove it from the Menu bar. A faster way to do this is using Command (⌘ Key on your Mac) key and then dragging the icons you want to remove off the Menu bar. If you just want to reposition them, drag the icon to where you want it to be on the Menu bar before you let go of the ⌘ key. If you want to remove the icon permanently, just drag the icon off the Menu bar and it will magically and mysteriously disappear! Poof!

Remove App From Status Bar Mac

If you remove an icon mistakenly, all is not lost. You can just go right back in the System Preferences and find the settings panel for the icon you just removed. Then just check the box to show it again in the Menu bar.

The Spotlight and Notification Center icons cannot be repositioned but stay next to each other on the far end of the right-hand side.

Change the Fast User Switching Icon

You have three options for how you would like the Fast User Switching icon to be displayed in the Menu bar. The default is often your full name. If you do not change accounts often, you probably do not need to display the active username right in the Menu bar. There is also a more compact icon. The last and third option is using your account name.

How To Remove Apps From Status Bar Mac Osx

To change this, you will need to click on the User icon and then Select Users & Groups Preferences at the bottom of the drop-down menu. Click on the lock in the lower-left corner of the Users & Groups window to make any changes and enter your password. Click on Login Options from the Left panel and then choose from the Pull down Menu to the right of the Show fast user switching menu setting. Uncheck the box if you do not want to show it.

Battery Icons

The battery icon on the upper right can be very useful if you are on a laptop. However, it becomes less important when you’ve plugged your laptop to a wall outlet or are using a desktop Mac. You can choose from a few options here for space. You can hide the percentage and just use the icon depiction for a rough estimate. To do this, select the Battery Icon and then choose Show Percentage. If you wish to remove it altogether, click on the icon and select Open Energy Saver Preferences. Uncheck the box for Show battery status in the Menu bar.

Date and Time Icons

You have several choices when it comes to how you would like your date and time to be displayed on the Menu bar. Click on the time icon and then choose Open Date & Time Preferences. You can display the time as analog with just a tiny clock icon without the date. This can be hard to read though so you can also use the 12-hour digital clock without seconds or AM/PM details. You can also choose whether to add the day of the week or not, thus giving you more space in the Menu Bar.

Remove App From Mac Os

Volume Icon

You can also choose to remove the Volume icon entirely and just use the Volume keys (arrows) for your audio on your Mac laptop or desktop. Open System Preferences, click Sound and then uncheck the box that reads Show volume in menu bar.

Menu Bar is placed at the top of the screen on your Mac. You can check status, choose commands and more significantly, execute your task quickly with the use of icons and menus. Menu bar features the menus of all the apps on the left end side of the bar.

Status Menus, which is on the right side of the menu bar, contains icons from both stock OS X system features such as, Sound, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and third-party apps.

If not arranged smartly, menu bar icons can cut a sorry figure with the awkward look. What about rearranging or removing stock menu bar icons on your Mac? While it’s much easier to rearrange or remove stock menu bar icons, it’s a bit tricky to do the same with the third-party apps. Head over to check out how you can give a better look to menu bar by arranging stock icons as desired.

You can add or remove any menu bar icons from System Preferences depending on your need. Supposing you want to add or remove Bluetooth icon, let’s get to know how you can do it.

How to Remove Stock Menu Bar Icons on Mac OS X

Step #1. Click on  Icon from the top left menu bar.

Step #2. Select System Preferences.

Step #3. Click on Bluetooth.

Step #4. Click the check box which is next to Show Bluetooth in the menu bar.

That’s all! You can repeat these steps to add or remove other stock icons as well if you wish.

How to Rearrange Stock Menu Bar Icons on Mac OS X

If you want to rearrange or remove status menu icons quickly through keyboard shortcuts, here is how you can get it done with ease.

If you want to rearrange stock icons, simply hold down the Command (⌘) key (use Windows key in case of Windows keyboard) while dragging the icon at the desired place.

If you want to remove any stock icon, just hold down the Command (⌘) key (use Windows key in case of Windows keyboard) while dragging the icon out of the menu bar.

That’s it! You can repeat these steps to add/remove more icons.

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How To Remove Apps From Computer

Read Also 👉 How to Put Your Name on Mac Menu Bar: A Quick Guide

The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.

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