How to Show the Menu Bar in Full-Screen Mode on Mac GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Computers, Laptops & Tablets > Apple

How to Show the Menu Bar in Full-Screen Mode on Mac

Keep the menu bar visible at all times

By Nick Steinberg Nick Steinberg Writer Wilfrid Laurier University Nick Steinberg has been writing about technology since 2014. His work has appeared in Goliath, Screen Rant, TechRadar, and many more publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 12, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple Macs iPad

What to Know

Click the Apple menu > System Preferences > Dock & Menu Bar. Uncheck the box next to Automatically Hide or Show the Menu Bar in Full Screen. This setting is currently only available on macOS Monterey or later. When using full-screen mode on your Mac, the menu bar is automatically hidden by default. However, you can have the menu bar remain visible in full-screen mode with a few simple steps. This article will show you how to toggle the Mac menu bar on or off, depending on your preference. Your Mac will need to run macOS Monterey or later to force the menu bar to display in full-screen mode. If you’re running an older version of macOS, you’ll need to update your Mac to get this functionality.

How Do I Keep the Menu Bar Visible in Full-Screen Mode on the Mac

When using an app in full-screen mode, the menu bar will disappear. The only way to make it appear again is to move your cursor to the top of the display. However, Apple introduced a setting in macOS Monterey that lets you keep the menu bar visible at all times. If you are unfamiliar with full-screen mode on a Mac, do any of the following: Click the Green Button in the top left of the app window.Press Command-Control-F on your keyboard. If this doesn’t work, try Function-F.Click View in the top menu bar and select Enter Full Screen. Now, here are the steps below to show the menu bar when in full-screen mode:
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the menu bar and select System Preferences. Select Dock & Menu Bar (this icon was previously labeled as Dock in older versions of macOS). Under Menu Bar, uncheck the box next to Automatically Hide or Show the Menu Bar in Full Screen. Open an app (Safari, for example) and enter full screen. The menu bar should now be visible at the top of the window. To revert back to a hidden menu bar, simply repeat the steps above and check the box for Automatically Hide or Show the Menu Bar in Full Screen.

How to Show the Menu Bar in Full-Screen Mode on Older Versions of macOS

While there isn’t an option to display the menu bar while using full-screen mode on older versions of macOS, there is a workaround you can try. With your desired app window open, hold the Option key and click the Green Button in the top left of the app window. The app won’t enter full-screen mode, but it will expand the window to its maximum size while displaying the menu bar. FAQ How do I hide the menu bar on a Mac? To hide the Mac's menu bar in macOS Big Sur or higher, go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences > Dock & Menu Bar > Automatically Hide and Show the Menu Bar. In macOS Catalina and earlier, go to System Preferences > General to find the menu bar option. How do I edit the menu bar on a Mac? To customize your Mac menu bar in macOS Big Sur or higher, go to System Preferences > Dock & Menu Bar. Check or uncheck an item to show it or hide it on the menu bar. In macOS Catalina and earlier, you can only change Dock customizations. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Adjust Keyboard Brightness on a MacBook Air How to Turn on Bluetooth on a Mac How to Activate Full-Screen Mode in Google Chrome How to Fix a Missing AirPlay Icon on iPhone and Mac How to Display the Menu Bar in Internet Explorer How to AirPlay From a Mac to a TV How to Turn on Location Services on a Mac How to Move a Window That Is Off-Screen How to View the Tool Menu in Internet Explorer 11 How to Control F On a Mac How to Modify the Mac Finder Sidebar How to Use Hot Corners on a Mac How to Use Apple Stage Manager How to Find Saved Passwords on Mac How to Set Up Dual Monitors on a Mac How to Reset Network Settings on Mac Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies