# Help for NotchStar. > Short, checked answers about every tool, setting and permission. Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/ ## Settings - [How to make NotchStar open on click instead of hover](https://www.notchstar.com/help/open-notchstar-on-click-instead-of-hover/): If the notch opens by accident, set Open notch to On click in Settings, General. You then click to open and click outside to close. - [How to keep the NotchStar notch open](https://www.notchstar.com/help/pin-the-notchstar-notch-open/): Press the pin button in the notch header, labelled Keep open, and the notch stays open when the pointer leaves. Press it again to unpin. - [How to reorder or hide tools in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-tool-order-and-hidden-tools/): Open Settings, Tools, drag tools into your order and switch off the ones you do not use. At least one tool always stays on. - [How to make NotchStar open at login](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-launch-at-login/): Switch on Launch at login in NotchStar Settings, General. macOS may ask you to allow it in System Settings, Login Items. - [How to quit NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/quit-notchstar/): Click the star in the menu bar and choose Quit NotchStar, or press Command Q while its menu is open. Quitting clears clipboard history and the shelf. - [How to update NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/update-notchstar/): NotchStar has no automatic updater today. Download the new disk image from this site and drag it over the old app. Your license and settings stay. - [How to uninstall NotchStar from your Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/help/uninstall-notchstar/): Quit NotchStar, deactivate the license if you want the slot back, switch off launch at login and drag the app to the Trash. ## Screenshot Tray - [How screenshots reach the NotchStar Screenshot Tray](https://www.notchstar.com/help/how-screenshots-reach-the-notch-tray/): NotchStar watches the folder where macOS saves screenshots and hangs each new one under the notch. Here is what counts, what does not, and how fast. - [How long screenshots stay in the NotchStar tray](https://www.notchstar.com/help/how-long-screenshots-stay-in-the-notch-tray/): The NotchStar Screenshot Tray holds the latest 12 screenshots and keeps each unused one for five minutes. Using a screenshot removes it sooner. - [Drag a screenshot from the notch into a chat or email](https://www.notchstar.com/help/drag-a-screenshot-into-a-chat-or-email/): Press on a screenshot in the NotchStar tray, move a few points and drop it into a chat or an email. The app receives a copy of the file. - [Drag a screenshot from the notch into a folder](https://www.notchstar.com/help/drag-a-screenshot-from-the-notch-into-a-folder/): Drop a NotchStar tray screenshot on a Finder folder to put the file there. Finder decides whether it moves or copies, and the tray entry goes away. - [Send several screenshots at once from the notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/send-several-screenshots-at-once/): Take a few screenshots, pick the ones you want and drag them into a chat together. NotchStar carries all picked files in one drag. - [Pick several screenshots in the notch with Command click](https://www.notchstar.com/help/pick-several-screenshots-with-command-click/): Hold Command and click screenshots in the NotchStar tray to pick them. A drag from any picked one then carries all of them. - [Option drag sends every screenshot in the notch tray](https://www.notchstar.com/help/option-drag-sends-every-screenshot-in-the-tray/): Hold Option while you start dragging a screenshot from the NotchStar tray and every screenshot in the tray goes, whether picked or not. - [What happens to a screenshot file when it leaves the NotchStar tray](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-happens-to-the-file-when-a-screenshot-leaves-the-tray/): Leaving the NotchStar tray never touches the screenshot file. It stays where macOS saved it, except when you drop it on the Trash or on a Finder folder. - [Dragging a screenshot to the Trash from the NotchStar tray](https://www.notchstar.com/help/dragging-a-screenshot-to-the-trash-from-the-notch/): Dropping a NotchStar tray screenshot on the Trash, or choosing Move to Trash from its menu, deletes the file as it would anywhere else on your Mac. - [What Show screenshots instantly does in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/show-screenshots-instantly-setting/): Show screenshots instantly turns off the macOS corner preview so a screenshot reaches the NotchStar tray at once. It is optional and changes one setting. - [Restore the macOS screenshot preview after using NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/restore-the-macos-screenshot-preview-after-notchstar/): NotchStar puts your screenshot preview setting back when you switch off Show screenshots instantly or quit the app. If it is still off, turn it on again here. - [Does the NotchStar Screenshot Tray work with a custom screenshot folder](https://www.notchstar.com/help/screenshot-tray-custom-screenshot-folder/): Yes. NotchStar reads the screenshot folder you chose in the macOS Screenshot app and follows it if you change it. A fix for macOS 27 shipped in 1.0.5. - [Screenshots not reaching the NotchStar tray on macOS 27](https://www.notchstar.com/help/screenshots-not-reaching-the-tray-on-macos-27/): On macOS 27 with a custom screenshot folder, NotchStar before 1.0.5 never saw new screenshots. Update to 1.0.5 or later to fix it. - [Why a screenshot is missing from the NotchStar tray](https://www.notchstar.com/help/screenshot-missing-from-the-notch-tray/): A screenshot missing from the NotchStar tray was usually copied to the clipboard, expired after five minutes, pushed out by newer ones, or is in another folder. - [Does NotchStar take screenshots, or only hold them](https://www.notchstar.com/help/does-notchstar-take-screenshots/): No. The NotchStar Screenshot Tray does not capture, record or edit anything. You take screenshots with macOS, and the tray holds them so you can send them. - [Does the NotchStar Screenshot Tray need permissions](https://www.notchstar.com/help/does-the-screenshot-tray-need-permissions/): The Screenshot Tray needs no Screen Recording, Camera or Accessibility permission. macOS may ask once for access to the folder your screenshots are saved in. - [NotchStar Screenshot Tray vs the macOS floating thumbnail](https://www.notchstar.com/help/screenshot-tray-vs-the-macos-floating-thumbnail/): The macOS floating thumbnail shows one capture for a few seconds. The NotchStar tray holds up to 12 for five minutes. Here is where each one wins. - [Is the NotchStar Screenshot Tray private](https://www.notchstar.com/help/screenshot-tray-privacy/): The Screenshot Tray reads screenshots on your Mac and shows thumbnails. It uploads nothing, and the only thing it saves is a short list of file paths and times. - [Remove a screenshot from the NotchStar tray](https://www.notchstar.com/help/remove-a-screenshot-from-the-notch-tray/): Hover a NotchStar tray screenshot and click the x, or right click it and choose Remove from notch. The file stays in your folder. ## Licence and billing - [How to activate your NotchStar license key](https://www.notchstar.com/help/activate-notchstar-license-key/): Buy NotchStar, then paste the key in Settings, License and press Activate. One key works on up to 3 of your Macs. Prices as of 4 November 2026. - [What happens when the NotchStar trial ends](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-trial-ends-what-happens/): After 7 days the tool area shows a buy prompt. Your notes, clipboard and settings are not deleted or hidden. Enter a key and the tools return. - [How to get a NotchStar refund](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-refund/): Email hello@notchstar.com within 7 days of buying NotchStar and you get a refund. Payments go through Dodo Payments. Prices as of 4 November 2026. - [Can you use one NotchStar license on 3 Macs](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-license-3-macs/): One NotchStar license works on up to 3 of your own Macs for $4 once. Use the same key on each and free a slot by deactivating. Prices as of 4 November 2026. - [How to deactivate NotchStar on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/help/deactivate-notchstar-mac/): Open Settings, License and press Deactivate this Mac. That frees one of your 3 activations so the same key can go on another Mac. - [NotchStar license key not working](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-license-key-not-working/): If NotchStar says a key is not valid, already on 3 Macs, or cannot reach the server, here is what each message means and what to do. - [Does NotchStar work offline and what is the weekly check](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-offline-license/): NotchStar works offline. A licensed copy checks quietly about once a week, and being offline never revokes the license. Only an explicit refusal can. - [How to move NotchStar to a new Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/help/move-notchstar-to-new-mac/): Deactivate the old Mac, install NotchStar on the new one and activate with the same key. Clipboard and shelf do not move, there is no sync or export. ## Calendar and Reminders - [How to allow calendar and reminders access for NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/allow-calendar-reminders-access-notchstar/): NotchStar asks macOS for calendar access and reminders access the first time you open Home or Calendar. Click Allow on both to see your day. - [NotchStar says it needs calendar access: how to fix it](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-calendar-access-denied/): If NotchStar says it needs calendar access, turn it on under Privacy & Security in System Settings, then reopen the tab. Reminders have their own switch. - [Which events does the NotchStar calendar show?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/which-events-notchstar-calendar-shows/): NotchStar shows events that have not ended yet, from today through the end of tomorrow, in time order. Home shows two, Calendar shows four. - [Does NotchStar show Google Calendar events?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-google-calendar-events/): NotchStar reads calendars through macOS, so Google Calendar events show up once your Google account is added to your Mac with Calendars switched on. - [Why the NotchStar calendar shows no upcoming events](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-calendar-shows-no-events/): When the notch says No upcoming events, causes are events that already ended, events after tomorrow, a calendar not on your Mac, or missing permission. - [How to complete a reminder from the NotchStar notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/complete-reminders-from-the-notch/): Click the circle beside a reminder on Home or Calendar to mark it done. NotchStar saves it back to the Reminders app and removes it from the list. ## Mirror - [How to allow camera access for the NotchStar mirror](https://www.notchstar.com/help/allow-camera-access-notchstar-mirror/): Open the Mirror tab and click Allow when macOS asks for the camera. NotchStar only shows a live preview and never records. Steps if you missed it. - [NotchStar mirror says it needs camera access: how to fix it](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-camera-permission-denied/): If the Mirror tab asks for camera access after you clicked Don't Allow, turn NotchStar on under Privacy & Security, Camera, then reopen the tab. - [Does the NotchStar mirror record video or take photos?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/does-notchstar-mirror-record-video/): No. The NotchStar mirror is a live preview only. It does not record, save, send or photograph anything, and the camera stops when you leave the tab. - [How to check your framing before a video call with NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/check-framing-before-a-video-call-notch/): Hover over the notch, pick Mirror and check your framing, lighting and background in two seconds before you join a call. The camera stops when you leave. - [When is the camera light on with the NotchStar mirror?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-camera-light/): The green camera light comes on when the NotchStar Mirror tab is open on screen and goes off when you switch tabs or close the notch. - [Why the NotchStar mirror preview is flipped](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-image-flipped/): The NotchStar mirror flips the picture like a real mirror, so moving left looks like moving left. There is no switch, and only the preview is affected. - [Which camera does the NotchStar mirror use?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-mirror-which-camera/): The NotchStar mirror uses the default camera macOS picks. There is no camera picker in the app, so choose the camera in macOS or unplug the one you do not want. ## Shelf and AirDrop - [How to drop a file on the NotchStar shelf](https://www.notchstar.com/help/drop-a-file-on-the-notch-shelf/): Drag a file toward the notch and the Shelf tab opens. Drop it in the dashed zone and it waits there until you drag it out or send it. - [How to open the NotchStar shelf by dragging a file](https://www.notchstar.com/help/open-the-shelf-by-dragging-toward-the-notch/): Drag a file toward the top of the screen near the notch and NotchStar opens the Shelf by itself. Let go elsewhere and it closes again. - [Why the NotchStar shelf does not open for text or images](https://www.notchstar.com/help/why-the-shelf-does-not-open-for-text-or-images/): Drag to open reacts to files only. Text and images dragged from a web page do not open the shelf. Save the image as a file first, then drag it. - [How to AirDrop a file from your Mac notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/airdrop-a-file-from-the-notch/): Drag a file toward the notch and drop it on the AirDrop zone. The macOS AirDrop picker opens with the file attached. Pick a device to send. - [What the AirDrop zone in the NotchStar shelf does](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-the-airdrop-zone-does/): The AirDrop zone does not keep files. Whatever you drop on it opens the macOS AirDrop picker with those files attached, and nothing is stored. - [How to AirDrop from your Mac notch to an iPhone](https://www.notchstar.com/help/airdrop-from-the-notch-to-an-iphone/): Drop a file on the NotchStar AirDrop zone, then tap your iPhone in the picker. The iPhone must be nearby with AirDrop receiving turned on. - [What the NotchStar shelf remembers: locations, not contents](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-the-notchstar-shelf-remembers/): The shelf keeps the location of each file, like an alias, not a copy of its contents. Dragging out uses the original file on your disk. - [What happens to the NotchStar shelf when you quit](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-happens-to-the-shelf-when-you-quit/): The shelf empties when NotchStar quits. Your files stay where they were, because the shelf only held their locations. Drop them again next time. - [How to move files out of the NotchStar shelf](https://www.notchstar.com/help/move-files-out-of-the-notch-shelf/): Drag an icon from the shelf into a folder, message or app. The original file is used, and the icon stays on the shelf until you remove it. - [How to AirDrop several files at once from the notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/send-several-files-from-the-notch-shelf/): Drop several files on the AirDrop zone together, or park them on the shelf and press the AirDrop button. One picker opens with all of them. - [Can you AirDrop large files from the NotchStar shelf](https://www.notchstar.com/help/airdrop-large-files-from-the-notch/): The shelf holds only a location, so a big file adds no copy or wait. Transfer speed and limits come from AirDrop and the devices, not NotchStar. - [How to AirDrop a folder from the NotchStar shelf](https://www.notchstar.com/help/send-a-folder-from-the-notch-shelf/): Drag a folder to the notch and drop it on the AirDrop zone. The macOS picker opens with the folder attached and you choose the other Mac. - [Why a file on the NotchStar shelf stops working after you move it](https://www.notchstar.com/help/why-a-shelf-file-looks-missing-after-moving-it/): The shelf remembers where a file was. If you move, rename or delete the original, its shelf icon no longer leads to it. Remove it and drop it again. - [What permissions the NotchStar shelf and AirDrop need](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-permissions-the-notchstar-shelf-needs/): The shelf needs no account and no special file permission of its own. AirDrop needs WiFi and Bluetooth on, and a receiver who allows your Mac. - [What the NotchStar shelf cannot do: its limits](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-shelf-limits/): The shelf keeps locations, empties on quit, and reacts to files only. It is a short term holding area, not storage. Here is each limit and the workaround. - [NotchStar shelf compared with Finder drag and drop](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-shelf-vs-finder-drag-and-drop/): Finder needs two windows to move files between places. The NotchStar shelf lets you pick a file up, switch windows, then drop it. Where each one wins. - [NotchStar AirDrop zone compared with built in AirDrop](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-airdrop-vs-built-in-airdrop/): Both use the same macOS AirDrop. The NotchStar zone only saves you steps: drop a file and the picker opens. It adds no new transfer method or speed. - [Is the NotchStar file shelf private](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-shelf-privacy/): The shelf remembers where files are, not their contents, and is cleared when you quit. NotchStar has no account and sends no files anywhere. ## Getting started - [How to install NotchStar from the disk image](https://www.notchstar.com/help/install-notchstar-from-dmg/): Download the NotchStar disk image, drag the app to Applications and open it. The star appears in the menu bar and the notch is ready. - [What happens the first time you open NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/first-launch-notchstar/): On first launch NotchStar adds a star to the menu bar, starts the 7 day trial and the notch opens when you move the pointer to it. Here is what you will see. - [How to check that NotchStar is notarized with spctl](https://www.notchstar.com/help/verify-notchstar-download-spctl/): Check the NotchStar download with spctl and a SHA256 checksum. Notarized apps report Notarized Developer ID, so macOS can verify who made it. - [Which macOS version does NotchStar need](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-macos-requirements/): NotchStar needs macOS 14 Sonoma or later and runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Here is how to check your version and what happens on older Macs. - [Does NotchStar work on a Mac without a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notch-app-on-mac-without-notch/): Yes. On a Mac without a notch NotchStar draws a small floating pill at the top centre of the screen and opens from there, with the same tools. - [Where NotchStar appears with an external display](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-on-external-display/): NotchStar sits on the built in notched screen when there is one. On a Mac without a notch it uses macOS main display. Here is what to expect. - [How hover opening works in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/how-hover-opens-notchstar/): Move the pointer to the notch and NotchStar opens after a short pause of 80 milliseconds. The open panel is 660 by 296 points. Click mode is in Settings. ## Clipboard - [How to search your clipboard history in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/search-your-clipboard-history/): Open the notch, pick Clipboard and type to filter 50 recent copies. Search ignores capitals and accents, and typing image finds copied images. - [How many items NotchStar clipboard history keeps](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-limit-50-items/): NotchStar keeps the 50 most recent clipboard items, at most 10 of them images. Older items drop off, and the list shows the 30 newest matches at a time. - [Why your NotchStar clipboard history clears when you quit](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-clears-on-quit/): NotchStar keeps clipboard history in memory only, so quitting the app clears it. Nothing is written to disk, and password manager copies are skipped. - [How to paste an older item from NotchStar clipboard history](https://www.notchstar.com/help/paste-from-notchstar-clipboard-history/): Open the notch, pick Clipboard, click the item you want, then press Command V where you want it. NotchStar copies the item back and does not paste for you. - [What happens when you copy the same thing twice in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/copy-again-moves-clipboard-item-to-top/): Copy the same text, image or file again and NotchStar moves it to the top of the clipboard list instead of adding a duplicate. Here is how it matches. - [What NotchStar does with files you copy in Finder](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-files-copied-in-finder/): NotchStar records files copied in Finder as files, with their icon, not as text names. Click a row to copy the file again. Search matches name and path. - [How NotchStar clipboard history handles images](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-images-notchstar/): NotchStar keeps images you copy in clipboard history at a reduced size, shows a thumbnail, and keeps only the 10 newest. Search finds them with the word image. - [Does NotchStar keep rich text formatting](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-rich-text-plain-text/): NotchStar stores copied text as plain text. Fonts, bold and colours are dropped, so clicking a row pastes without formatting. - [Why NotchStar clipboard history keeps only 10 images](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-image-limit-of-10/): NotchStar keeps the 10 newest images in clipboard history, separate from the 50 item limit. Older images drop off first, and text is never pushed out by them. - [What the icons in NotchStar clipboard rows mean](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-link-and-text-icons/): In NotchStar's Clipboard tab a link icon marks web addresses, a lines icon marks plain text, a thumbnail marks an image, and a file icon marks a Finder file. - [What the checkmark means in NotchStar clipboard](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-checkmark-meaning/): The green checkmark in a NotchStar clipboard row means that item was just put back on your clipboard and is ready to paste. It shows for about one second. - [How to clear clipboard history in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clear-clipboard-history-notchstar/): NotchStar has no clear button for clipboard history. Quit the app from its menu bar icon to wipe the list, since it lives in memory only. - [How to find an old copy in NotchStar clipboard history](https://www.notchstar.com/help/find-an-old-copy-in-clipboard-history/): To find an older copy in NotchStar, open Clipboard and type part of it. Search covers all 50 kept items, even though the list shows only the newest 30 rows. - [Why an item is missing from NotchStar clipboard history](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-item-missing-from-history/): If a copy is missing from NotchStar clipboard history, check the password manager flag, the 50 item limit, launch time and quits, in that order. - [How NotchStar detects what you copy](https://www.notchstar.com/help/how-notchstar-detects-clipboard-copies/): NotchStar checks the Mac clipboard about every half second. When its change counter moves, it reads the new item and adds it to history locally. - [Does NotchStar clipboard history need any permission](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-permissions-notchstar/): NotchStar's Clipboard tool requests no Accessibility, Screen Recording or other permission in its code. It reads the Mac clipboard and keeps history in memory. - [NotchStar clipboard history compared with the macOS built in one](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-vs-macos-spotlight-clipboard-history/): Recent macOS lists copies in Spotlight with a time window you choose. NotchStar keeps 50 items in the notch, with images, files and search. How they differ. - [Is NotchStar clipboard history private](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-privacy-questions/): NotchStar keeps clipboard history in memory on your Mac only, never on disk or a server. It skips password manager copies and clears on quit. - [Why password manager copies do not appear in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-password-manager-copies/): NotchStar skips any copy a password manager marks as concealed, so those passwords never reach clipboard history. Unmarked copies cannot be detected. - [Why NotchStar missed a copy made before it started](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-copied-before-notchstar-started/): NotchStar only records copies made while it runs. What was on the clipboard at launch, or copied while it was closed, is not added. ## Timers - [How to set a timer on your Mac with NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/set-a-timer-on-mac-notchstar/): Open the notch, choose Timers, pick a length from 5 to 60 minutes and press play. Pause and reset sit beside the play button. - [How to start a Pomodoro session in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/start-a-pomodoro-session-notchstar/): Open Timers, choose Pomodoro, pick 25 and 5, 50 and 10 or 15 and 3 minutes, and press play. A ring and four dots track the cycle. - [Which timer lengths NotchStar offers](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-timer-lengths/): The NotchStar countdown timer offers 5, 10, 15, 25, 45 and 60 minutes from one menu. There is no custom entry. Here is how to pick one. - [NotchStar Pomodoro presets: 25/5, 50/10 and 15/3](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-pomodoro-presets/): NotchStar's Pomodoro timer has three presets: 25 minutes focus and 5 break, 50 and 10, or 15 and 3. Here is how to switch and when to use each. - [What happens when a NotchStar timer ends](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-happens-when-notchstar-timer-ends/): When a NotchStar timer ends it plays your chosen sound and resets to its length. It does not repeat, show a banner or move other windows. - [Can you run more than one timer in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/run-two-timers-notchstar/): NotchStar has one Timer, one Stopwatch and one Pomodoro, each with its own state. Only one countdown should run at a time. Here are the limits. - [Does a NotchStar timer survive quitting the app](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-timer-after-quit/): Timers reset when NotchStar quits or restarts. The sound you chose is kept. Closing the notch does not stop a timer; quitting the app does. - [How to change or turn off the NotchStar timer sound](https://www.notchstar.com/help/turn-off-notchstar-timer-sound/): Pick Glass, Ping, Hero, Submarine or Funk for the timer finish sound, or choose No Sound to make it silent. The choice is remembered. - [Does the NotchStar timer show a notification](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-timer-notification/): A NotchStar timer ends with a sound, not a banner or macOS notification. Open the notch to see the countdown. - [Can NotchStar sleep or shut down your Mac on a timer](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-sleep-or-shutdown-timer/): No. NotchStar timers only play a sound at the end. They cannot put your Mac to sleep, shut it down or run a command. Here is what they do. - [How to skip a Pomodoro phase in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/skip-pomodoro-phase-sessions/): Press the skip button next to play in Pomodoro mode to jump from focus to break or back. A skipped focus block still counts toward the four dots. ## Teleprompter - [How to use the teleprompter in the Mac notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/use-notch-teleprompter/): Open Teleprompter in the notch, press the pencil, paste your script, tick to confirm and press play. Two sliders set speed and text size. - [Where to put a teleprompter near your MacBook camera](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-near-camera-macbook/): On a notched MacBook the camera sits in the notch, so NotchStar's script sits right beside the lens. Tips for pinning it and sitting at the right distance. - [Does the NotchStar teleprompter follow your voice](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-that-listens-mac/): No. The NotchStar teleprompter scrolls at a speed you set and never listens to your voice. Here is how to match the pace by hand. - [Is the NotchStar teleprompter hidden from screen recording](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-screen-recording-mac/): NotchStar does not hide its teleprompter from screen sharing or recording. It is a normal window area, so share a window or check a test first. - [Why the NotchStar teleprompter text fades at the edges](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-fading-edges/): The NotchStar teleprompter fades text at the top and bottom of its window so the line you are reading stays the clearest. It cannot be turned off. - [Using the NotchStar teleprompter on a Mac without a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-mac-without-notch/): On a Mac with no notch, NotchStar shows a floating pill at the top centre of the screen. The teleprompter works the same way there. - [How to change teleprompter speed and text size in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-speed-and-size-mac/): Two sliders beside the play button set scroll speed and text size in the NotchStar teleprompter. Both are remembered the next time you open it. - [How to restart the script in the NotchStar teleprompter](https://www.notchstar.com/help/restart-teleprompter-script-mac/): Press the circular arrow in the NotchStar teleprompter to pause and jump back to the start of the script. It never restarts by itself. - [How to edit your script in the NotchStar teleprompter](https://www.notchstar.com/help/edit-teleprompter-script-mac/): Press the pencil in the NotchStar teleprompter to turn the script into a text box. Edit, then press the check mark to go back to reading. - [Can NotchStar hold several teleprompter scripts](https://www.notchstar.com/help/one-teleprompter-script-at-a-time/): NotchStar's teleprompter holds one script at a time. Pasting a new one replaces the old. Keep other scripts in a notes app or file. - [What happens to formatting in the NotchStar teleprompter](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-plain-text-mac/): The NotchStar teleprompter is plain text only. Bold, colour and links from a document are not kept, and all text shows in one style. - [Where NotchStar stores your teleprompter script](https://www.notchstar.com/help/teleprompter-script-storage-mac/): Your NotchStar teleprompter script is stored on your Mac in the app's preferences. It is never uploaded, and there is no account. ## Privacy and permissions - [What NotchStar sends and when](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-notchstar-sends/): NotchStar sends nothing by default. It contacts a server only to activate or check a license, and for anonymous version info if you opt in. - [How to turn off anonymous version info in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-anonymous-version-info-off/): It is off unless you said yes. To change it open Settings, General, Privacy and switch Share anonymous version info off. The random ID is then deleted. ## System stats - [What the CPU gauge in NotchStar shows](https://www.notchstar.com/help/cpu-usage-gauge-in-notchstar/): The CPU ring in the NotchStar System tab shows how busy your whole Mac is, as a percentage, sampled once a second while the tab is open. - [What the memory gauge in NotchStar shows](https://www.notchstar.com/help/memory-gauge-in-notchstar/): The memory ring in NotchStar counts active, wired and compressed memory against your Mac's total RAM. Cached files are not counted. - [What the disk gauge in NotchStar shows](https://www.notchstar.com/help/disk-gauge-in-notchstar/): The disk ring in the System tab shows how full your startup volume is, counting space macOS can reclaim as free, so it can differ from Terminal. - [What the battery gauge in NotchStar shows](https://www.notchstar.com/help/battery-gauge-in-notchstar/): The battery ring shows charge level, turns green and reads Charging while plugged in, turns red under 20 percent. It does not show time remaining. - [How NotchStar measures network speed](https://www.notchstar.com/help/network-speed-in-notchstar/): NotchStar shows download and upload speed in bytes per second from your WiFi and Ethernet interfaces, so VPN traffic is not counted twice. - [How often NotchStar updates system stats](https://www.notchstar.com/help/how-often-notchstar-updates-system-stats/): The System tab samples once a second, and only while it is on screen. The Monitor section in Disk samples every 3 seconds, ports about every 9. - [Does NotchStar system stats drain your battery?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/does-notchstar-system-stats-drain-battery/): The System tab reads a few counters once a second and only while it is open. No battery cost has been measured, so none is claimed. - [NotchStar System tab vs Activity Monitor](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-system-stats-vs-activity-monitor/): NotchStar gives five readings at a glance. Activity Monitor gives per process detail. What each shows, and when to open which. ## Disk and storage - [What the NotchStar Disk scan finds](https://www.notchstar.com/help/what-notchstar-disk-scan-finds/): The Overview scan finds app caches, logs, Xcode build data and downloads untouched for 90 days. It lists them and removes nothing until you choose. - [Is NotchStar Disk cleanup safe?](https://www.notchstar.com/help/is-notchstar-disk-cleanup-safe/): Disk only moves things to the Trash, only inside your home folder and app bundles in /Applications. It refuses the home folder itself and system paths. - [How the NotchStar Disk Trash step works](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-disk-trash-not-permanent-delete/): Disk moves items to the Trash and never deletes for good. Space only comes back when you empty the Trash yourself in Finder. - [How NotchStar finds duplicate files](https://www.notchstar.com/help/find-duplicate-files-notchstar/): Duplicates compares file contents, not names, across six folders. It skips files under 1 MB and hard links, and keeps the oldest copy of each set. - [How to remove an app and its leftovers in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/remove-app-leftovers-notchstar/): The Apps section lists apps with the caches, preferences and logs they leave in Library. Remove sends the app and those files to the Trash. - [How to compress large videos with NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/compress-large-videos-notchstar/): Compress finds photos over 2 MB and videos over 50 MB, recompresses them, and keeps the result only if it is under 90 percent of the original size. - [Why a NotchStar Disk scan can be slow](https://www.notchstar.com/help/why-notchstar-disk-scan-is-slow/): Scans read real files: sizing folders, hashing duplicates and recompressing media all take time on big libraries. Here is what each one does. - [How to check free space and eject drives in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/check-free-space-and-eject-drives-notchstar/): The Disk tab's Overview lists every mounted drive with its free space, and shows an eject button for external disks. - [How to find the biggest folders on your Mac with NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/find-biggest-folders-notchstar/): The Space section measures your home folder and ranks folders by size. Click one to look inside, show it in Finder, or move it to the Trash. - [How to search files by name in NotchStar Find](https://www.notchstar.com/help/search-files-by-name-notchstar-find/): Find searches your home folder by name as you type, hidden files included, ignoring capitals and accents. Two letters minimum, 200 results. - [Why macOS asks for folder access when NotchStar scans](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-disk-asks-for-folder-access/): The first scan of Documents, Desktop or Downloads makes macOS ask whether NotchStar may use that folder. Allow it only for the folders you want scanned. ## Ports - [What the NotchStar Ports list shows](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-ports-list-columns/): Ports lists every TCP port something is listening on, with the project folder, the command, local or network, and Open, Show and Stop buttons. - [How to open a localhost port from NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/open-localhost-port-notchstar/): The arrow icon on a Ports row opens http://localhost and that port number in your default browser. It always uses http, not https. - [How to show a port's project folder in Finder with NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/show-port-project-in-finder-notchstar/): The folder icon on a Ports row reveals the process's working directory in Finder. It is disabled when NotchStar cannot read that folder. - [How to stop a process on a port with NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/stop-process-on-port-notchstar/): Press Stop on a Ports row, then press it again to confirm. NotchStar sends SIGTERM, a polite quit request, and never forces a process. - [What NotchStar cannot stop and why](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-cannot-stop-process/): Stop only asks your own processes to quit. It cannot stop system services, other users' processes or programs that ignore SIGTERM, and never forces. ## Quick Notes - [Where NotchStar stores your Quick Note](https://www.notchstar.com/help/where-notchstar-quick-note-is-stored/): Your NotchStar Quick Note is saved on your Mac in the app's preferences as plain text. It is not synced, uploaded or sent anywhere. - [NotchStar Quick Notes limits: one note, plain text, no sync](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-quick-note-limits/): Quick Notes in NotchStar is one plain text note with no formatting, no attachments and no syncing between devices. Here is what that means in practice. - [How to use Quick Notes in the NotchStar notch](https://www.notchstar.com/help/how-to-use-notchstar-quick-notes/): Hover over the notch, pick Quick Note, click in the text area and type. The note saves as you type and is there next time you open the notch. - [Quick Note in NotchStar does not take my typing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-quick-note-typing-not-working/): If keys do nothing in the NotchStar Quick Note, click inside the text area first. The notch takes keyboard focus only while a text tool is open. - [How to clear or delete your NotchStar Quick Note](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clear-notchstar-quick-note/): Open Quick Note, press Command A to select everything, then Delete. The note empties at once and the hint Take a note returns. ## Home and Now Playing - [Which apps show up in NotchStar Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-sources/): NotchStar shows any app that reports to the macOS Now Playing service. Music and Spotify also work through an AppleScript fallback. Other apps may not appear. - [Spotify is not showing in NotchStar Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-spotify-not-showing/): If Spotify does not appear in the NotchStar Home tab, start a track, reopen the notch, and allow Automation for Spotify if macOS asks. Steps and the fallback. - [How NotchStar Now Playing works with Apple Music](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-apple-music-now-playing/): Apple Music tracks show with artwork and controls through the system Now Playing service. Radio style items have no duration, so there is no progress bar. - [Why album artwork is missing in NotchStar Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-album-artwork-missing/): NotchStar shows a music note instead of a cover when the player gives no artwork, a new track has not sent its art yet, or in the AppleScript fallback. - [Why there is no progress bar in NotchStar Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-no-progress-bar/): NotchStar draws the progress bar only when the player gives a real duration and elapsed time. Radio style Apple Music items and some streams give neither. - [The perl process NotchStar starts for Now Playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-helper-process/): NotchStar starts one Apple signed perl process to read Now Playing while the Home card is open. It ends when you leave Home or quit. - [Why NotchStar asks to control Music and Spotify](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-automation-permission-music-spotify/): macOS may ask if NotchStar may control Music or Spotify when the AppleScript fallback runs. Allow it for Now Playing; the main route needs no prompt. - [NotchStar Now Playing stopped working after a macOS update](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-stopped-after-macos-update/): Apple changed Now Playing access in macOS 15.4 and could again. NotchStar falls back to AppleScript for Music and Spotify, so other apps may stop appearing. ## Troubleshooting - [Why the NotchStar notch does not open](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-notch-does-not-open/): If the notch does not open on hover, check the star in the menu bar, the Open notch setting, the screen it is on and whether it is pinned or stuck. - [Why a NotchStar tool is blank or empty](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-tool-blank/): A blank NotchStar tool usually means a missing permission, nothing to show yet, a hidden tab or the trial prompt. Check each tool here. - [How to report a NotchStar bug](https://www.notchstar.com/help/report-a-notchstar-bug/): Email hello@notchstar.com with your macOS version, Mac model, the NotchStar version and what you expected. Short steps to repeat the problem help most. - [Why NotchStar is not showing the song that is playing](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-now-playing-not-showing/): If Now Playing is empty, start playback in Music or Spotify, check Automation and read the notes on apps that do not report to macOS. - [Why the NotchStar star is missing from the menu bar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/notchstar-menu-bar-icon-missing/): The NotchStar star can hide behind the notch on a crowded menu bar. Free space, quit other icons or check that the app is running.