Hey, has anyone figured out how to change the menu bar spacing (right hand icons). I LOVE the new interface, it's absolutely gorgeous. The only thing I don't like is how far apart the icons are on the menu bar.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Menu bar spacing?
- Thread starter antisomnic
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yes, it appears to be intentional. Some tools also have wide spacing in the drop down menus. I think its a compromise to accommodate touch. It is distracting and inefficient.
don't like it either. I have menu bar full on my MacBook Air even without bigger spacing. I hope there is way to switch it off.
Many things are too spaced out. The folder list in Mail, for example, has too much gap between each line.
Now that I have the release version, I agree this is the worst part so far (a close second would be the required clock in the menubar) of what otherwise is a nice change. Anyone figure out a way to go back to old spacing?
I fear a 'design feature' that Apple has imposed, when IIABDFI (If It Ain't Broke...) should apply. For what it's worth, I'm using the little app 'Hidden Bar' to (at least) limit the damage done.
Either the spacing ended up getting decreased or I've gotten used to it, because it doesn't bother me anymore
Certainly did. Early on (1st public beta) I filed feedback regarding the spacing. Surprise, I got a reply (after the beta reducing the spacing) asking if I thought it was better. I responded that it was better, but that I preferred it to be like Catalina (and earlier) spacing.
I think it is too much part of the design change to space things out (whilst often making them smaller) to get much better unless there is universal outcry. I don't hear universal outcry.
Those of use who don't like the new design are not going to get much change. Have to find ways round it.
For the menubar, I consider Bartender v4 is essential to keep things under control.
I know it not helping, but I like the increased white space. That been sad, I do not crowd my toolbar. And after the introduction of the new control pane with sound, bt, wifi - I can remove even more icons from the toolbar. I will prob. also remove the wifi I just need mentally prepare for it to be gone/moved
Agreed. I complained (via Feedback) that the mailbox list in Mail was too spaced out, but they decided they liked it as it was. Ah well.
Entire OS is a huge waste of space. If it was only menu bar it would be amazing.
The other annoying thing about the Big Sur menubar, is the keyboard prefs icon keeps moving back to the far right, even after I move it to my preferred position. I use it to for quick(er) access to emojis (I don't have a TouchBar). I guess the new M1 keyboards have a dedicated emoji button so I guess menubar access won't be needed once I upgrade
Its a bit of a hassle, but CTRL+CMD+Spacebar also gives you access to emoji...
The very latest version of Bartender 4 allows you to adjust the spacing of menubar icons. If, like me, you want spacing how it was then happiness!
Bartender allows you to control all sorts of aspects of the menubar. The BS version is a big advance compared with the Catalina version. Bartender
Bartender allows you to control all sorts of aspects of the menubar. The BS version is a big advance compared with the Catalina version. Bartender
I thought I'd give Bartender a try, but I don't like the permissions it requires. I don't see why it should have screen recording permissions, and the reasons it states for that do not seem convincing enough to me.
The menu icon spacing in Big Sur is hideous. But I don't think telling Apple about it will help. It's almost certainly designed like this, so they probably couldn't care less whether we like it or not. It's Apple's way or the highway, as usual.
The menu icon spacing in Big Sur is hideous. But I don't think telling Apple about it will help. It's almost certainly designed like this, so they probably couldn't care less whether we like it or not. It's Apple's way or the highway, as usual.
Last edited:
Finally a solution - and as I've discovered, after BarTender 4 has made the permanent change (takes place after logging out and back in again), BarTender is no longer required to be running. Only needed to run if you want all the other features or to revert back to Default Spacing.
Kudos to Ben Surtees and his team at Surtees Studios (makers of BarTender 4) http://www.surteesstudios.com
I thought the same thing when they removed the column browser from Apple Music. However, enough people complained and they eventually restored that functionality. Ya just never know with Apple.
Now on Bartender 5 trial. Had to re-apply menu bar spacing but done now. On a 14" MBP M1 the "notch is a problem if you have a fair number of MB icons eg. iStat Menu's which I have had for ages meaning I've had Bartender almost from inception. Great product as mentioned in post #23.
