Which macOS version does NotchStar need

Getting started Published 4 November 2026

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NotchStar needs macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. It is a universal app, so it runs on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs. It does not install on macOS 13 or earlier.

Check your macOS version

Click the Apple menu in the top left of the screen and choose About This Mac. The window shows the macOS name and version. If it says macOS 14 or a higher number, you can run NotchStar.

Which Macs have a notch

The notch is a hardware feature of newer MacBooks. NotchStar does not require one. Without a notch it shows a small floating pill instead, described in using NotchStar on a Mac without a notch. The notch explained guide covers which MacBooks have it.

If your Mac is too old

The latest macOS your Mac supports decides whether you can reach macOS 14. If your Mac cannot update that far, NotchStar will not run on it. There is no older build for macOS 13 or earlier, and no date for one.

What else matters

Size: the installed app is small and the download is about 3.6 MB.
Features: all ten tools work on macOS 14. Some behaviour, such as how Now Playing is read, differs by macOS version and is explained in the Now Playing page.
Windows: there is no Windows version today. One is planned with no date.

Quick answers.

Does NotchStar run on Intel Macs?

Yes. The app is a universal build for Apple silicon and Intel.

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Can I run it on macOS 13?

No. The minimum is macOS 14 Sonoma.

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Keep reading.

The MacBook notch explained: What the notch is, which MacBooks have it, why menu bar icons disappear behind it, and the options for working around or making use of it.
How to install NotchStar from the disk image: 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.
Does NotchStar work on a Mac without a 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.
CPU, memory, disk, battery and network: Live CPU, memory, disk, battery and network speed gauges in your Mac notch. Sampling only runs while the tab is open, so it stays light.

Put your notch to work.

Buy it once for $4, activate it in a minute, and keep it. Not sure yet? Try every tool in the browser on the home page, or install the 7 day trial.

Buy NotchStar for $4 Try it in the browser