Now Playing in the notch
Shows artwork, a live equalizer, and playback controls for Spotify, Apple Music, and other media sources in the area around the notch.
A configurable status layer for the MacBook notch
Notchware is a native macOS utility that turns the space around a MacBook's notch into a configurable status display. It surfaces media playback, battery, volume, brightness, Focus, and network changes without requiring a separate status window.
The app is designed for local use and runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Its free version covers the core indicators and display behavior; the one-time Pro upgrade adds notifications for supported AI coding agents and additional Lock Screen music controls.
Features
Battery and system indicators
Displays charging and low-battery status, with a user-selected low-battery threshold.
Volume, brightness, and Focus feedback
Presents volume and brightness changes as either a line or percentage, and provides short animations for Focus mode changes.
Network status
Reports Wi-Fi or Personal Hotspot connections and indicates when internet access returns.
AI agent alerts
In Pro, Codex, Claude Code, and Cursor can show approval requests and task completion in the notch, with optional sounds.
Lock Screen controls
Pro adds Lock Screen playback controls and an option to hide the Lock Screen profile photo and name while artwork is expanded.
Use cases
Listening while multitasking
Keep playback visible while working in another app, using notch-based controls for supported Spotify, Apple Music, and other media sources instead of switching to a separate player window.
Monitoring everyday Mac state
Use the notch as a compact place to notice charging, low battery, volume, brightness, Focus changes, and network recovery while moving between work contexts.
Following AI coding tasks
Receive a visible prompt when Codex, Claude Code, or Cursor needs approval, or a notice when an agent finishes, without repeatedly checking the terminal. Pro users can enable sounds as well.
Using media controls from the Lock Screen
Control music from the Lock Screen and optionally hide the profile photo and name when expanded artwork is shown. These controls are available with Pro.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Combines media controls and several system status indicators in the MacBook notch area.
- Supports Spotify, Apple Music, and other media sources for Now Playing controls.
- Runs locally without an account, analytics service, or cloud backend.
- Supports both Apple silicon and Intel Macs, with controls to choose which indicators appear.
- Adds local, reviewable hooks for Codex, Claude Code, and Cursor alerts in Pro.
Cons
- Requires macOS 14.6 Sonoma or later.
- The app is not yet notarized, so macOS requires an extra confirmation during first launch.
- AI agent alerts and Lock Screen features require the Pro upgrade.
FAQ
What macOS versions and Mac models are supported?
Notchware requires macOS 14.6 Sonoma or later and runs natively on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. The app is distributed as a DMG download from ballmac.com.
Why does macOS warn that Notchware cannot be opened?
Open Notchware once from Applications, then use System Settings › Privacy & Security to choose Open Anyway when macOS blocks the app because it is not yet notarized. On macOS 14 Sonoma, Control-click the app, choose Open, and confirm. macOS may require this again after a future download.
How do the AI agent alerts work?
AI alerts use local hook commands that you can review in Settings › AI Agents before installation. The hooks write small status events and do not read prompts or responses. Supported agents are Codex, Claude Code, and Cursor.
Does Notchware send data to the cloud?
Notchware runs locally without an account, analytics service, or cloud backend. Its agent alerts use inspectable local hooks. When controlling Spotify or Apple Music for the first time, macOS may request Automation permission.
What does Notchware Pro add?
The free version includes the notch indicators and controls, display and fullscreen options. A one-time Pro purchase adds AI agent alerts, approval and completion sounds, Lock Screen music controls, and the option to hide the Lock Screen profile. The license key is activated from Settings › License.
Quick Facts
- Category
- macOS utility
- Platform
- macOS 14.6 Sonoma or later
- Processor support
- Apple silicon and Intel Macs
- Core workflow
- Notch-based media and system status display
- AI integrations
- Codex, Claude Code, and Cursor alerts in Pro
- Data model
- Local operation; no account, analytics service, or cloud backend
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