Good questions
The details,
without the dig.
Everything worth knowing before you put a little life into the top edge of your Mac.
Getting started
Which Macs are supported?
Notch Design is built for Apple-silicon Macs running macOS 14 or later. It works best with a built-in MacBook camera notch. An external display can use a virtual top-edge mode, but that is a simulated notch rather than physical camera hardware.
Does the app cover the camera or the menu bar?
The design grows from the black hardware area and is sized for the chosen display. It does not remove or alter the physical camera cutout. Use the app’s display-fit controls if your screen needs adjustment.
Can I use different designs on different displays?
Yes. Display profiles and each design’s scale, vertical reach, top spacing, and edge-clipping settings are saved separately.
How do I install it?
Download the notarized Mac app, open the DMG, drag Notch Design to Applications, then open it. The app lives in the menu bar. See the setup guide for the first design and optional permissions.
Live effects and privacy
Why is the music visualizer hidden when nothing plays?
That is intentional: it stays completely hidden at rest. Selecting a visualizer plays a short demo so you can judge the look; live movement uses audio only when you enable the required system-audio permission. See the music guide.
Does the app record my microphone or store audio?
No microphone is required for the visualizer. It uses the optional macOS system-audio permission, and the app does not store recordings. The camera mirror is also optional and local-only: it never records or uploads video.
Why do Calendar or Reminders ask for access?
Those optional widgets need macOS permission to show your events or reminders. You can decline and continue using other features. If you grant access, the data is used locally for the widget.
Do I need an account or internet connection?
There is no Notch Design account. Core designs work locally. Downloading updates, sending opt-in feedback, and future Pro activation need a connection. Optional Codex and Claude usage widgets depend on those providers’ local sign-in state and usage access.
Availability and support
Is Notch Design free?
Yes. Notch Design is free to download and includes starter designs, Battery Rim, and every notch dock utility. Notch Design Pro is an optional one-time purchase that unlocks every design, the music visualizers, and stacking up to four live styles. Pro is $19.99; the first 100 buyers get it for a $4.99 launch price. If you used Notch Design 1.0 before Pro launched, every design stays unlocked for you at no cost.
Is Pro a subscription?
No. Notch Design Pro is a one-time purchase with no subscription. See pricing for what’s included.
How do I move Pro to another Mac?
A Pro license works on one Mac at a time. Open Settings & licenses, choose Remove from this Mac, then activate the same key on the other Mac.
Can I remove it and restore normal Mac behavior?
Yes. Turn off Launch at login and disable effects, then quit and move the app from Applications to Trash. If you enabled the optional lid-closed agent mode, first use its Remove permission action to restore normal lid-close sleep. The support page has complete steps.
How can I report a problem?
Choose Send Feedback from the app’s menu bar menu, or email hi@notchdesign.app. You can include a reply email optionally. For troubleshooting and diagnostic export, see support.