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63 answers written from the app itself — setup, settings, and what to do when something doesn't look right.
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Notchy isn't showing on my screen — what do I do?Work down this list: make sure Notchy is running (open it from Applications), press ⌥Space in case it was hidden, and check Settings → Behavior → Visibility — “Show On”, “Hide in Full Screen”, “Invisible Until Hover” and “Hide if Menus Overlap” can all keep it out of sight.Which permissions does Notchy need, and why?Only Accessibility is required — it powers the pill's controls, window snapping, call and message banners and Face Unlock typing. Everything else is asked for only when you turn on the feature that needs it, and you can review all of them in Settings → Permissions.Why isn't my music showing in Notchy?Notchy shows any app that reports to macOS's Now Playing — Apple Music, Spotify, browsers, podcast apps — with no setup. If nothing appears, check that “Now Playing Island” is on in Settings → Now Playing, and remember “Hide When Paused” clears the island about 30 seconds after you pause.How do I update Notchy?Notchy updates itself: it checks about once an hour, downloads in the background and installs when Notchy quits. To check right now, right-click the pill → “Check for Updates…”, or open Settings → About → “Check for Updates”.How do I set up Face Unlock in Notchy?Go to Settings → Lock Screen and click “Set Up Face Unlock”. You'll allow the camera, do a short guided head scan, enter your Mac password, and allow Accessibility so Notchy can type it for you. Then press ⌃⌘Q to lock, touch a key and look at your Mac.What are Notchy's keyboard shortcuts?Open Notchy ⌃⌥N · Hide Notchy ⌥Space · Command Palette ⌃⌥K · Clipboard ⌃⌥C · Launcher Wheel ⌃⌥L · emergency force-quit ⌃⌥⌘⎋. Change any of them in Settings → Behavior → Keyboard Shortcuts.
Getting started
Install, requirements and the first launch.
- How do I install Notchy on my Mac?
- How do I install or update Notchy with Homebrew?
- Which Macs and macOS versions does Notchy support?
- I opened Notchy — where is it?
- How do I open Notchy's settings?
- Which permissions does Notchy need, and why?
- Why are some Notchy features turned off after I install it?
- How do I make Notchy start (or stop starting) at login?
Using Notchy
Opening the island, shortcuts, tabs and settings.
- How do I open Notchy's Dynamic Island panel?
- How do I stop Notchy opening every time my mouse passes over it?
- What are Notchy's keyboard shortcuts?
- How do I make Notchy's pill or panel bigger or smaller?
- How do I choose which display Notchy appears on?
- Why does Notchy disappear in full-screen apps?
- How do I hide Notchy when I share or record my screen?
- How do I change Notchy's language?
- How do I turn off Notchy's animations or trackpad haptics?
- How do I back up Notchy's settings or move them to another Mac?
- How do I hide Notchy temporarily without quitting?
- How do I hide the MacBook notch completely?
Music & media
Now Playing, lyrics, players and audio.
- Why isn't my music showing in Notchy?
- How do I connect Spotify to Notchy for likes, shuffle and playlists?
- How do I get YouTube Music working fully in Notchy?
- How do I change playback speed for videos in Chrome or Safari from Notchy?
- Why aren't lyrics showing or scrolling in time?
- Why does a purple audio-recording indicator appear while Notchy is running?
- How do I control the volume of each app separately?
- Why doesn't Notchy show my AirPods when I open the case?
AI & developers
AI usage, Claude Code and Codex, dictation, the API.
- How does Notchy track my Claude, Codex or Cursor usage?
- How do I get Claude Code or Codex permission prompts in the notch?
- Why does Notchy's Ask AI tab need an API key?
- Why is AI Rewrite unavailable in Notchy's clipboard?
- How do I dictate text with Notchy, including with the Fn key?
- Can I control Notchy or show my own messages from scripts?
Clipboard, files & tools
Clipboard history, the Shelf, calendar and more.
- How do I open Notchy's clipboard history, and how much does it keep?
- How do I stop Notchy recording copies from a particular app?
- Does Notchy's clipboard sync between my Macs?
- How does Notchy's file Shelf work?
- How do I add Google Calendar or Outlook to Notchy?
- How do I switch Focus modes from Notchy?
- How do I control HomeKit lights and scenes from Notchy?
- How do I set a battery charge limit, and why does it ask for my password?
- How do I keep my Mac awake with Notchy, even with the lid closed?
- Can I use Notchy's weather without giving Location access?
- How do I set up Knock, and why isn't it working?
- How do I snap windows with Notchy, and why isn't it working?
- How do I turn on Notchy's lock screen widgets?
- Why does a Homebrew update fail in Notchy's Packages tab?
Face Unlock
Setting up, using and removing Face Unlock.
Troubleshooting
When something doesn't show, stops, or misbehaves.
- Notchy isn't showing on my screen — what do I do?
- I granted a permission but the Notchy feature still doesn't work. Why?
- Notchy is frozen or not responding — how do I quit it?
- Notchy keeps quitting or crashing — what can I do?
- Notchy says an app is draining my battery — what does that mean?
- Why does Notchy only show an “Update Required” window?
- How do I restart Notchy?
- What should I include when I report a Notchy bug?
- My menu bar icons are hidden behind the notch — how do I get to them?
- How much CPU and battery does Notchy use?
Privacy, updates & removal
Data, updates, resetting and uninstalling.
Still stuck?
Notchy is made by one developer, who reads every support email. Include your macOS version and Mac model — Settings → Permissions → Copy Permission Diagnostics helps too.