Skip to content
OpenNavo

Blackout (blackout)

A free, open-source menu bar app that hides the MacBook notch with a black bar.

CaskMenu BarUtilitiesApple silicon · Intel
Official download · github.com

SHA-256 recorded by Homebrew · Not disabled by Homebrew · Checked

Homepage
From benjweaver/blackout
30-day installs
0
#2475 in App
1-year installs
0
Last 365 days
Latest version
1.2.0
Download size
—
arm64 / x86_64 · zip
Release cadence
Daily
8 releases in 30 days

Blackout (blackout) is a Menu Bar app for Mac.

Quick facts

Chips
Apple silicon · Intel
macOS
macOS 14 or later
Price
Free
Install
brew install --cask benjweaver/blackout/blackout
Homebrew
Available; updated by Homebrew
Also known as
Blackout, blackout

These facts were checked on or after . See each source

About

Blackout is a free, open-source menu bar app that hides the MacBook notch with a black bar. It is for users who want a consistent dark menu bar without changing their wallpaper.

  • Apply the bar to the MacBook display or all displays.
  • Keep the notch covered through Spaces, Mission Control and App Exposé.
  • Choose black behind lock-screen icons or a display mode ending below the camera. These options require the app to be running and do not affect boot login or FileVault unlock.
  • Toggle rounded desktop corners, launch at login and hide the menu bar icon.

The app has no network code or analytics and is licensed GPL-3.0-or-later. It is free, with optional donations. Requires macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon or Intel; current releases are signed and notarized. On light menu bars with dark text, Blackout leaves the background unchanged, so the notch remains visible.

System requirements

macOSVersionChipsDownloadSource
macOS 14 or later1.2.0Intelgithub.com/benjweaver/blackout/releases/download/v1.2.0/Blackout-1.2.0.zipSHA-256 c26f997312f003f3ea53e1776d5dd8fb67a65aae29e07613f5e4dfe91953652eHomebrewChecked
macOS 14 or later1.2.0Apple silicongithub.com/benjweaver/blackout/releases/download/v1.2.0/Blackout-1.2.0.zipSHA-256 c26f997312f003f3ea53e1776d5dd8fb67a65aae29e07613f5e4dfe91953652eHomebrewChecked

How to install Blackout (blackout) on Mac

  1. In Terminal, run: brew install --cask benjweaver/blackout/blackout
  2. Homebrew installs the app in your Applications folder.

Install without Homebrew

Download the same file Homebrew uses: github.com/benjweaver/blackout/releases/download/v1.2.0/Blackout-1.2.0.zip

SHA-256 only checks that the download is complete; it is not a security certification. See the SHA-256 and download address

Uninstall Blackout (blackout) and optional data cleanup

Uninstall command
brew uninstall --cask blackout

A regular uninstall removes the app and keeps its settings and caches.

Deep clean (optional)

Uninstall command
brew uninstall --zap --cask blackout

--zap also deletes the settings, caches and other files listed in the Homebrew definition. They can include data shared with other apps and cannot be restored, and it does not guarantee that nothing is left. Back up any data you need first. To keep settings and caches, leave out --zap.

Files Blackout (blackout) can leave on your Mac (1)
Files and folders
~/Library/Preferences/dev.benjweaver.Blackout.plist

These entries come from the Homebrew definition, checked . They say what it declares, not what is on your Mac.

What’s new in 1.2.0

New OpenNavo editorial

Extends notch hiding to system menu bar backgrounds and the lock screen.

See all 8 releases

Blackout (blackout) security facts

Only facts that can be checked, each with its source and date. This is not a safety certification. To check the files you downloaded, scan them on your Mac with OpenNavo.

Distribution
Homebrew
Open source
Yes · github.com/benjweaver/blackout · GPL-3.0Checked
Scan with OpenNavoOpens a scan preview in the OpenNavo app; you decide whether to start it. ClamAV on Mac

Install Details

Tap
benjweaver/blackout
Download URL
https://github.com/benjweaver/blackout/releases/download/v1.2.0/Blackout-1.2.0.zip
SHA-256
c26f997312f003f3ea53e1776d5dd8fb67a65aae29e07613f5e4dfe91953652e
Homebrew definition
github.com/benjweaver/homebrew-blackout/blob/HEAD/Casks/blackout.rb
Source code
github.com/benjweaver/blackout

Installation and removal contents

  • Uninstall uninstall

    View full declaration
    {
  "uninstall": [
    {
      "signal": [
        [
          "TERM",
          "dev.benjweaver.Blackout"
        ]
      ]
    }
  ]
}

  • Install app

    Source file: Blackout.app

    Declared destination: /Applications/Blackout.app

    View full declaration
    {
  "app": [
    "Blackout.app"
  ],
  "target": "/Applications/Blackout.app"
}

  • Remove user data zap

    View full declaration
    {
  "zap": [
    {
      "trash": "~/Library/Preferences/dev.benjweaver.Blackout.plist"
    }
  ]
}

Questions about Blackout (blackout)

Is Blackout (blackout) free?

Yes, Blackout (blackout) is free to use. Source: github.com/benjweaver/blackout#support, checked Oct 29, 2026.

Is Blackout (blackout) open source?

Blackout (blackout)’s source code is public on GitHub (benjweaver/blackout) under the GPL-3.0 license.

How do I completely uninstall Blackout (blackout) on a Mac?

Run brew uninstall --cask blackout. To delete its settings and caches as well, run brew uninstall --zap --cask blackout. --zap also deletes the settings, caches and other files listed in the Homebrew definition. They can include data shared with other apps and cannot be restored, and it does not guarantee that nothing is left. Back up any data you need first. To keep settings and caches, leave out --zap. That also deletes ~/Library/Preferences/dev.benjweaver.Blackout.plist.

Does Blackout (blackout) run on Apple silicon (M1 and later) Macs?

Homebrew installs it on both Apple silicon and Intel Macs, from the same download. It needs macOS 14 or later.

Where does Blackout (blackout) store its settings and data?

Its settings are in ~/Library/Preferences/dev.benjweaver.Blackout.plist. These locations come from Homebrew’s clean-up list.

What is the latest version of Blackout (blackout)?

The latest version is 1.2.0, added to Homebrew on Oct 16, 2026. Run brew upgrade --cask blackout to update it.

Sources

Every fact on this page names its source and check date. Facts past their validity read “as of” their date and are no longer stated as current.