If you’re new to MacOS, it’s important to know the menu bar.
MacOS has a single global menu bar that switches the context to an active application. This menu bar also has other features, such as a basic application launcher, a status menu, and access to the Control Center and Notification Center. Those of you who have used Windows and Linux before may need to get used to it.
The Apple menu is a constant in the upper-left corner of the screen, behind an icon that looks exactly like the Apple logo.
The Apple menu has commands for common global tasks, such as:
About the Mac: Information about computer hardware, including monitor and disk usage.
System Preferences: Customize MAC Settings.
App Store: Discover new apps.
Sleep: Immediately put your Mac into sleep mode.
The Recent Projects menu displays the applications and documents that you have recently used. Therefore, it can act as a basic application launcher.
Application menu
The Apps menu is located to the right of the Apple menu. It contains functionality specific to the current application, and its name is shown as the first menu title. Other menu headers are specific to each application, but common ones include:
file
The editor
view
The window
help
State of the menu
The status menu appears on the right side of the menu bar. They are typically monochrome ICONS that provide access to small utilities. Some programs you install add an icon to this area, but MacOS provides several default status menus, including:
bluetooth
The battery
Wireless Internet access
voice
Keyboard brightness
Do not disturb
The screen image
Siri
Control center and notification center
Big Sur has made some major changes to MacOS, including the two ICONS on the far right of the menu bar: Control Center and Notification Center.
Using system preferences, you can have some control over what is displayed in the Control Center, just as you can hide a single status menu.
To access the Notification Center, click the clock in the upper right corner of the menu bar.
Use keyboard shortcuts to access the menu bar
The menu bar can be accessed at any time using keyboard shortcuts. Use Ctrl + F2 to focus the menu bar. If the Mac has a function key, you also need to hold down the function key.
After focusing on the menu bar, use the arrow keys and Space or Return to select an item from the Apple or App menu.
If you find yourself using the Help menu a lot, can you use CMD + to jump directly to the Help search box? (or Cmd + Shift + /) shortcut. You can access any menu item from here by typing its name and then selecting it.
How to hide menu bar
Viewing the application in full screen mode temporarily hides the menu bar. The menu bar can still be accessed in full screen mode by pushing the cursor to the top of the screen.
If you want to permanently hide the menu bar, you can do this with your preferences:
Open the System Preferences application – for example through the Apple menu.
Click the Dock and the menu bar icon.
On the main panel, scroll down to the menu bar section, and then use the Auto Hide and Show menu bar check boxes to turn hiding on and off.
When the mouse pointer moves to the top of the screen, it automatically appears and disappears. If you use the keyboard shortcut to focus it, it will also appear.
The Mac colors the menu bar according to the desktop wallpaper below it.
Use the Mac’s gorgeous menu bar
The MacOS menu bar provides a system menu, a permanent application menu, and a set of status ICONS. You can customize the status menu and notification behavior according to your needs. The Control Center also provides quick access to the most commonly used Settings.