Why the notch changes menu bar organization
On a notched MacBook, the menu bar is visually continuous but practical space is interrupted. Apps that add many status items can collide with app menus, Control Center items, and the notch area.
Tuck avoids treating the top bar as the only place icons can live. When icons are tucked, Shelf Mode can show them in a temporary panel below the menu bar. If you are comparing this broader menu-bar workflow with Ice, read the source-bounded Ice alternative comparison.
How Shelf Mode helps
Hidden until needed
Keep everyday utility icons tucked away while you work.
Panel below the bar
Open a shelf of hidden icons instead of squeezing everything around the notch.
Works with Push Mode
Use one-click hiding as the base behavior, then open Shelf when needed.
Pro controls
Combine Shelf with auto-hide, hover, icon styles, and app-specific Rules Mode.
What happens on macOS 27?
On macOS 27, icons that do not fit are hidden by the system and replaced with an overflow indicator you press to see them. That is Apple's described behavior when the menu bar lacks space (Apple Support, published September 28, 2026, read 2026-09-30), and a notch makes that happen sooner.
Tuck 1.1.7 supports macOS 27. On a notched MacBook, first-time setup preselects Shelf Mode, and you can change the mode in Settings. Shelf shows each hidden item's real menu bar image when Screen Recording is allowed and app icons when it is not. Core system controls stay visible on macOS 27. See the macOS 27 guide for the limits.
Why Screen Recording may appear
macOS protects the contents of the screen. When Tuck opens Shelf and needs to identify menu bar icons accurately, macOS can require Screen Recording permission. Tuck requests it only when the Shelf path needs it, not as a general analytics permission.
Recommended setup
- Install Tuck and complete Accessibility permission.
- Use Push Mode first to confirm the basic hide and restore behavior.
- Open Shelf Mode from Tuck when you want hidden icons below the menu bar.
- If macOS asks for Screen Recording, approve it in System Settings and reopen Tuck.
For the exact walkthrough, use the Shelf Mode tutorial.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the notch change menu bar organization?
On a notched MacBook, the menu bar is visually continuous but practical space is interrupted. Apps that add many status items can collide with app menus, Control Center items, and the notch area.
How does Shelf Mode help with the notch?
When icons are tucked, Shelf Mode shows them in a clean panel below the menu bar instead of squeezing everything around the notch. It works alongside one-click Push Mode hiding.
Does Shelf Mode need a permission?
Shelf display can request Screen Recording so Tuck can identify and present menu bar icons accurately. Tuck does not use that permission for analytics or telemetry.
Does Tuck work on MacBook Pro and MacBook Air?
Yes. Tuck runs on stable releases from macOS 14 through macOS 27. On macOS 14, 15 and 26 it switches to Shelf Mode automatically on notched MacBooks; on macOS 27 it suggests Shelf Mode during setup and you choose the mode in Settings.