Dozer

Dozer is a free, open-source macOS utility for hiding menu bar icons. It suits Mac users who want a less crowded bar without adding custom menu items. Its appeal is focused control: group icons, automate hiding, and adjust how the bar behaves.

Overview

Dozer addresses one narrow task: keeping selected status icons out of sight until needed. A click toggles the first group, while Option-click controls an optional second group. That separation is useful when some icons should remain accessible independently of others.

Automatic hiding, including at launch, reduces the need to tidy the bar manually. Dozer also offers a keyboard-only mode for hiding and showing icons, plus controls for the delay before hiding, icon size, and padding. These settings give the utility more flexibility than a simple show-and-hide switch, but its purpose remains icon management rather than broader menu bar customization.

Key features

Icon visibility and controls

• Two icon groups: Click to toggle one group and Option-click to toggle an optional second group. This gives users a way to separate icons by when they need them.
• Automatic hiding: Dozer can hide status bar icons automatically, including when the app launches, which helps keep the bar tidy without repeated manual actions.
• No Icon mode: A keyboard shortcut can hide and show icons without relying on a visible control.
• Display adjustments: Users can set how many seconds pass before icons hide and adjust icon size and padding, allowing the behavior and spacing to be tuned.
• Mouse controls: Left-click toggles the first group, Option-left-click toggles the second, and right-click opens settings.

Dozer supports hiding, rearranging, and grouping menu items, as well as keyboard shortcuts. It does not support custom menu items, so it is a poor fit for anyone looking to add new controls or content to the menu bar.

Pricing

Dozer costs free and is open source under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. The free plan is the only plan described: it supports macOS 10.13 or later and includes the app’s menu item hiding, rearranging, grouping, and keyboard shortcut capabilities. There is no paid tier or trial to weigh against the free version.

That makes Dozer straightforward for users who want its focused tool at no cost. The trade-off is scope, not a lower plan’s quota: custom menu items are not supported. The project directs users to GitHub issues for bug reports and feature requests, and asks bug reporters to include the app version.

Platforms

Dozer is for macOS, with macOS 10.13 or later listed as the system requirement. Installation instructions cover both Homebrew Cask and manual installation, giving users a choice of setup method.

Who it's for

Choose Dozer if you want to hide and organize existing Mac menu bar icons, especially if you value automatic hiding, two separately controlled groups, or keyboard access. It is less suitable if you need custom menu bar items or a utility with a broader purpose than hiding icons.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Flexible visibility controls: Separate click and Option-click groups let users reveal different sets of icons as needed.
• Less manual upkeep: Automatic hiding, including at launch, can keep the bar clear without a routine of repeated clicks.
• Tunable behavior: Hide delay, icon size, and padding adjustments provide control over timing and spacing.
• No-cost, open-source offering: The free plan has no paid tier required for the described icon management features.

Cons

• No custom menu items: Dozer hides and organizes existing items rather than letting users add new ones.
• Mac-only scope: The stated platform and system requirement limit its use to macOS 10.13 or later.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse Menu Bar Customization Software. These alternatives are also free macOS options, but their system requirements and terms differ.

• Cornice is another free choice if your Mac runs macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later on Apple Silicon.
• GreatBar is free for now while it is new and requires macOS 14.0 or later; consider it if that stated platform range fits your Mac.
• Hidden Bar is an open-source app provided at no cost. Its stated support covers macOS 13 Ventura or later, with macOS 10.13–12.x also supported.
• iBar-Menubar is a freemium alternative with a free download and in-app purchases; consider it if that pricing model suits you.
• Ice 2 is free and open source, with its full source published on GitHub.
• JellyBar is free for macOS 15 Sequoia and later on Apple Silicon.
• Lloyd is a free, MIT-licensed macOS menu-bar utility.
• MenuBarDockX is free with no subscription and supports macOS 14 or later on Apple Silicon and Intel.

Verdict

Dozer is a strong fit for Mac users who want a free, focused way to hide existing menu bar icons, with automatic behavior and useful control over groups and spacing. Choose it for icon visibility rather than expansion: users seeking custom menu items should look elsewhere.