Tutorial · Updated April 2026
How to Use Your MacBook Notch
Your MacBook's notch can be way more than a camera cutout. With Notchly, it becomes a full productivity dashboard. Here's everything you can do — and how to get started.
Getting Started
- Download Notchly — grab the DMG from the download page or run
curl -fsSL https://notchly.vercel.app/install | sh - Open the DMG and drag Notchly to Applications.
- Launch Notchly — if macOS shows an "unidentified developer" warning, right-click → Open → Open. See our installation guide for details.
- Hover over your notch — the Notchly panel expands with all your modules.
All 13 Modules Explained
Music Controls
FreeControl Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music directly from your notch. See album art, track info, and a progress bar. Skip, pause, and play without switching apps.
File Shelf (Drag & Drop)
FreeDrag any file onto your notch to store it temporarily. Perfect for moving files between apps or staging quick transfers. Files persist across sessions.
Calendar
FreeView a mini month calendar inside your notch. Navigate months and select days. See your schedule at a glance without opening Calendar.app.
Focus Timer (Pomodoro)
Free (25 min) / Pro (custom)Built-in Pomodoro timer with presets for 15, 25, and 50 minutes. Pro users can set custom durations. A live activity pill shows on the closed notch when the timer is running.
Clipboard History
Free (5) / Pro (60)Access everything you've copied. Free tier keeps 5 items; Pro keeps 60 with pin support. Search through past copies and paste with a single click.
Quick Bookmarks
Free (5) / Pro (40)Save links from your clipboard for one-tap launches. Organize your most-used URLs and access them with a single hover over the notch.
Studio: Screenshot, Record & Camera
Free (full screen) / Pro (all)Capture screenshots, record your screen with smart cursor zoom, or launch a face cam overlay — all from one tab. Pro unlocks region and window capture modes.
Quick Todo & Notes
ProLightweight task list and notes that live inside your notch. Add tasks, mark them done, and take quick notes without leaving your workflow.
Session Manager
ProSave your entire desktop session — all running apps captured and minimized. Switch between projects by restoring any saved session with one click.
NotchPrompt (Teleprompter)
ProAn invisible teleprompter that wraps around the camera notch. Auto-scroll your script while maintaining eye contact during recordings or video calls.
Command Shortcuts
FreeSave and run shell commands from the notch. Built-in shortcuts for Terminal, Empty Trash, and more. Add your own custom scripts for one-click execution.
Custom Widgets
Free (limited) / Pro (all)Clock, Battery, System Info, Storage, and Shortcuts widgets. Customize your notch dashboard with the data you check most often.
HUD Replacement
FreeReplace the default macOS volume and brightness HUD with a sleek overlay that appears inside your notch. Clean and unobtrusive.
Free vs Pro: What's the Difference?
Notchly's free tier includes core modules: music controls, file shelf, calendar, basic focus timer, 5-item clipboard, 5 bookmarks, full-screen screenshot, camera overlay, HUD replacement, and multi-display support. No account needed, no time limit.
Prounlocks everything: 60-item clipboard, 40 bookmarks, custom focus timer durations, region and window screenshots, screen recording, Quick Todo & Notes, Session Manager, NotchPrompt teleprompter, Command Shortcuts, all widgets, and a live timer activity pill on the closed notch. It's a one-time $15 purchase for lifetime access on 2 devices.
Ready to Transform Your Notch?
Download Notchly free and start using your notch productively today.