Is NotchStar safe? Signing, permissions and what it sends
NotchStar is signed with an Apple Developer ID and notarized by Apple, it has no account, and it sends nothing about you unless you choose to share anonymous version info. It asks macOS for four permissions, and each one maps to one tool. This page lists them, says what is stored where, and shows how to check the download yourself. Prices as of 4 November 2026.
The short answer
- Signed and notarized. Downloads since version 1.0.3 (9 October 2026) pass Apple’s notarization check. Versions 1.0.0 to 1.0.2 were signed ad hoc, so use the current download.
- No account. Nothing to sign up for. The app is $4 once for up to three Macs, with a 7 day free trial.
- Nothing measured by default. The first time you open the Home tab, the app asks once whether to share anonymous version info. Nothing is sent unless you say yes.
- Closed source. You cannot read the code. The checks below let you verify what the download is and what it does on your Mac.
Check the download yourself
Open Terminal after you install the app and run:
spctl -a -vv /Applications/NotchStar.appA notarized app answers with accepted and a source of Notarized Developer ID. If you see anything else, do not use that copy. Download it again from notchstar.com.
You can also watch the app’s connections with a network monitor such as Little Snitch. The privacy page says the app contacts no server during the free trial, and a monitor lets you confirm that for yourself.
The four permissions, and why each exists
macOS asks for these the first time a tool needs them. Say no to any you do not want. Only the matching tool is affected.
| Permission | Used by | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Calendars | Calendar and Reminders | Shows your upcoming events in the notch |
| Reminders | Calendar and Reminders | Shows your due reminders |
| Camera | Mirror | A live preview while the Mirror tab is open. Nothing is recorded or saved |
| Automation (Apple Events) | Home, Now Playing | Controls Music and Spotify playback from the notch |
Calendar data is read through macOS and is not copied or uploaded. The Mirror shows a preview only while its tab is open.
What is stored, and where
- Clipboard history stays in memory on your Mac, holds up to 50 items and clears when you quit. It skips anything a password manager marks as concealed. An app that does not mark its copies cannot be detected, so clear the history if you are unsure.
- Quick Notes and the teleprompter script are kept in the app’s preferences on your Mac.
- The file shelf remembers where files are, not their contents, and clears when you quit.
- System stats are read locally once a second, and only while that tab is open.
What can leave your Mac
| When | What is sent | To whom |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial | Nothing | No one |
| You activate a license | License key and your Mac’s name | Dodo Payments, the payment provider |
| About once a week after that | A license check. If you are offline, nothing happens and the app keeps working | Dodo Payments |
| You answer yes to anonymous version info | NotchStar version and build, macOS version, chip, license state and a random install ID, once a day | notchstar.com, passed to PostHog in the EU |
| Now Playing with Spotify | The album image may load from Spotify’s servers | Spotify |
The anonymous event never contains your name, email, license key, Mac name, files, clipboard, notes, calendar or location. Turn it off any time in Settings, General, Privacy, and the random ID is deleted. The full list is on the privacy page.
The Disk tool and your files
The Disk tab is the one tool that can touch files, so it has hard limits. Everything it removes goes to the Trash, not into a permanent delete. It only works inside your home folder and app bundles in Applications. A scan starts only when you press a button, never in the background.
How it compares on trust
Open source apps such as Boring Notch let you read every line. That is a real advantage, and the fair comparison of notch apps says so. NotchStar’s side of the trade is a notarized build, no account, short stated storage rules and a refund window of 7 days. A privacy checklist for any notch app shows what to ask of every app in this category, including this one.
If something looks wrong
Write to the address on the support page. Include your version number and what you saw. You can quit the app at any time.
