Pelmet
What it is
Pelmet is a free, open-source macOS utility for hiding and restoring menu bar icons. Its layout editor places items in Visible, Hidden, and Always Hidden sections, and Command-drag can rearrange them directly in the menu bar. Hidden items can return through hovering, clicking empty menu bar space, double-clicking for Always Hidden items, or using the chevron, with Instant, Smooth, and Fade reveal styles. Pelmet also supplies replacement menu bar items for media controls, AirDrop, camera and microphone indicators, a timer, Focus, fast user switching, and Shortcuts. Users can add app launchers that open applications when clicked and can be hidden like other icons. Keyboard shortcuts and multiple displays are supported. Pelmet requires macOS 27 and does not support macOS 26 or earlier. Accessibility access is required; Screen Recording is optional for animation stills. The maker says there is no account, analytics, or telemetry. The app is Developer ID signed, Apple notarized, uses hardened runtime, and receives EdDSA-signed updates.
For and against
For
- Free and open source
- Visible, Hidden, and Always Hidden layouts
- Multiple reveal triggers and animation styles
- Replacement menu bar items included
- Supports keyboard shortcuts and multiple displays
Against
- Requires macOS 27
- Does not support macOS 26 or earlier
- Accessibility permission is required
- Relies on a private Apple framework
The verdict
Pelmet provides detailed control over menu bar visibility, arrangement, and replacement items at no cost. Its macOS requirement, permissions, and dependence on a private framework are important considerations.
Who it suits
Pelmet suits Mac users who want to manage, rearrange, and hide menu bar icons on macOS 27. It is aimed at people comfortable granting Accessibility access.
Plans and prices
Free
Free and open source · Requires macOS 27
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- App launchers
- Users can add Pelmet icons for apps, which open the app when clicked and can be hidden like other items.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Audience
- Pelmet is built for Mac users who want to manage and hide menu bar icons on macOS 27.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Built-in items
- Pelmet offers replacement menu bar items including media controls, AirDrop, camera and microphone indicator, timer, Focus, fast user switching and Shortcuts.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- Pelmet relies on a private Apple framework for hiding icons, and the maker says a macOS update could change or remove that mechanism.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Data and network
- The maker says Pelmet has no account, analytics or telemetry; it connects to retrieve updates and fetches GitHub star count in its Thanks pane.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Layout
- Icons can be arranged in Visible, Hidden and Always Hidden sections using a layout editor or Command-drag in the menu bar.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Permissions
- Accessibility access is required; Screen Recording is optional and used for animation stills that Pelmet says are not recorded or kept.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Pelmet hides menu bar icons and brings them back on hover, click or keyboard shortcut.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Reveal options
- Reveal can be triggered by hover, clicking empty menu bar space, double-clicking for Always Hidden, or using the chevron, with Instant, Smooth and Fade styles.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The maker says each DMG is Developer ID signed and Apple notarized, the app uses hardened runtime, and updates use EdDSA signatures.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker describes Pelmet as a one-person project with no vulnerability-reporting SLA and says acknowledgements generally arrive within a few days.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- System requirement
- Pelmet requires macOS 27 and does not support macOS 26 or earlier.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
