Question 1

Is there a free trial?

Accepted Answer

Not right now. Buy it, and if it doesn’t work for you, email within 14 days and you’ll get a refund. No hoops.

Question 2

Is NotchAbove a subscription?

Accepted Answer

No. You pay once and it’s yours, with free updates for every 1.x version.

Question 3

What happens after I pay?

Accepted Answer

You get an email with your license key and the download link, right after you pay. Open the app, paste the key, done.

Question 4

Can I use it on more than one Mac?

Accepted Answer

A founders copy is for 1 Mac. Once the 100 founders copies are gone, 2-Mac and 3-Mac licenses open up.

Question 5

Why does my Mac say it can’t verify the app?

Accepted Answer

NotchAbove isn’t notarized by Apple yet (that’s a paid Apple program), so macOS asks you to confirm it once. It takes about 10 seconds and only happens the first time. Step-by-step guide.

Question 6

Does it work on Macs without a notch?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On older Macs and external displays it shows a small floating pill at the top of the screen, with the same features.

Question 7

Which Macs and macOS versions?

Accepted Answer

Apple Silicon and Intel, on macOS 13 Ventura or later.

Question 8

Will it slow my Mac down or drain the battery?

Accepted Answer

It’s built to sit idle. It reacts to events instead of checking things over and over, and each tab only does work while it’s open on screen.

Question 9

Does it work with AirPods, Bluetooth and monitor speakers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every output your Mac sees is in the list, with its own volume. HDMI and DisplayPort speakers have no Mac volume, so NotchAbove sets the monitor’s own volume when the monitor supports it.

Question 10

Can it send different apps to different speakers, or add an EQ?

Accepted Answer

No. It has per-app volume (turn one app down without touching the rest), but routing apps to different outputs and EQ need a system audio driver, which is a different kind of app.

Question 11

Does NotchAbove need permissions?

Accepted Answer

Switching audio needs none, and neither do timers, eye breaks, notes or todo. A few extras ask once, only when you switch them on, and the app explains why first. See which ones.

Question 12

What leaves my Mac?

Accepted Answer

Only what a feature you use needs: song details for lyrics, your chosen city for weather, and GitHub or Dodo if you connect them. Notes, todos, clipboard, screen time and your habits never leave your Mac. Details.

Question 13

Can I hide the tabs I don’t use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Settings → Tabs turns any tab on or off. Output is always there; Git, Sales and Games start off.

Question 14

How do updates work?

Accepted Answer

The app updates itself (Settings → Updates). Updates install without the first-time confirmation step.