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Common questions

How do I install BopBar?

BopBar is available only on the Mac App Store. Buy it there and it installs like any other App Store app. When you open it, it appears in your menu bar.

On first launch, BopBar explains why it needs to control the Music app. Click Continue, then approve the macOS prompt. BopBar needs this to show the current song and to play, pause, and skip.

BopBar doesn't show what's playing

First make sure the Music app is open and playing. If it is, BopBar probably isn't allowed to control Music: open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation, find BopBar, turn on Music, then quit and reopen BopBar.

I can't find BopBar in my menu bar

Make sure BopBar is open (it's in your Applications folder). If your menu bar is crowded, macOS may hide some items. Switching BopBar to Compact in Settings makes it much narrower.

Also check System Settings > Menu Bar and make sure BopBar is allowed to appear there.

How do I open the mini player?

Click the album art in BopBar's menu bar item. Clicking the song title doesn't open it. Click anywhere else to close it.

How do I open Settings?

Right-click BopBar in the menu bar and choose Settings, or click the gear icon in the mini player.

How do I switch between Compact and Expanded?

Open Settings and change Display Mode under General. Compact shows only the album art. Expanded adds the song title and artist, plus the progress bar and buttons unless you've hidden them in the same section. The change is instant.

The live spectrum isn't moving

The spectrum is on by default. It's drawn inside the progress bar, so Show Progress Bar needs to be on too. The first time a song plays, macOS asks for permission to record audio. BopBar only listens to the Music app. If the bars stay flat, check that Live Audio Spectrum is on in BopBar's Settings.

If you said no, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording and allow BopBar, then quit and reopen it.

A song shows no album art

BopBar uses the artwork Music provides. When there isn't any (common for streamed songs), it looks the cover up from Apple using the song title, artist, and album. A song Apple doesn't carry may stay without art. Covers can take a moment to appear right after a song changes.

Does Launch at Login need anything else?

Turn it on in Settings. If macOS asks you to approve it, BopBar shows an Open Login Items button. Allow BopBar there, under System Settings > General > Login Items.

How do I quit BopBar?

Right-click BopBar in the menu bar and choose Quit BopBar. It has no Dock icon, so that menu is the way out.

Can I move BopBar in the menu bar?

Yes. Hold Command and drag it to where you want it. This is a macOS gesture, so Command-click doesn't do anything else in BopBar.

Is there a free trial?

No. BopBar is a $1.99 purchase. If it isn't what you expected, you can ask Apple for a refund (see below).

Can I use it on another Mac?

Yes. On the other Mac, open the Mac App Store while signed in with the Apple Account you bought BopBar with, and download it again.

Does BopBar collect any data?

No. There are no accounts, analytics, or ads, and your settings stay on your Mac. The only thing that leaves your Mac is a song's title, artist, and album, sent to Apple when BopBar needs to look up missing album art. Details are in the privacy policy.

How do I get a refund?

Purchases are handled by Apple, so refunds go through Apple at reportaproblem.apple.com.

System requirements

macOS
macOS 27 or later
Mac
Apple silicon
Music
Apple's Music app. Streaming and radio need an Apple Music subscription; your own library doesn't.