How to add macOS application icons into the menu Bar?

Adding macOS application icons to the menu bar using the Doll app is a great way to monitor app notifications (e.g., Mail, Slack, or Messages) directly from the menu bar, enhancing productivity and accessibility.

This is especially useful if you hide your Dock or want quick access to the applications.

Below is a beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide to download, install, and use Doll to add app icons and badges to the macOS menu bar.

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What is Doll?

• Doll: A free, open-source macOS app that mirrors Dock app badges (e.g., unread message counts) to the menu bar. It lets you add icons for apps like Messages, Mail, or Chrome and shows real-time notification updates.
• Why Use It?: Keeps notifications visible across screens, ideal for multitasking or if you auto-hide the Dock. Complements your iPhone 16/13 Pro Max by ensuring you don’t miss app updates while working on your Mac.
• Requirements: macOS 11.0 Big Sur or later (works on Sequoia 15.4), ~10MB free space, internet for download, and Accessibility permissions for badge monitoring.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Add App Icons to the Menu Bar Using Doll

Step 1: Download Doll from GitHub

• Open a Browser:
  • Use Safari (Dock compass icon) or Google Chrome (per your recent installation question).
  • Launch from Applications or Spotlight: Command + Space, type “Safari” or “Chrome,” press Enter.
• Visit GitHub:
  • Go to the Doll GitHub page: https://github.com/xiaogdgenuine/Doll.
  • In the browser address bar, type the URL and press Enter, or search “Doll macOS GitHub” and click the official link (github.com/xiaogdgenuine/Doll).
• Download the App:
  • On the GitHub page, scroll to the Releases section (right sidebar or under “Assets” in latest release, e.g., v1.3 or newer).
  • Click the .dmg file link (e.g., Doll.dmg, ~5-10MB).
  • If no Releases are listed, check the README for a download link (usually a .dmg hosted on GitHub).
  • The file saves to ~/Downloads (visible in Safari’s Downloads arrow or Chrome’s Downloads menu).
• Time: ~1-3 minutes on 50 Mbps Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Install Doll

• Locate the DMG:
  • Open Finder (smiley face in Dock).
  • Go to Downloads (left sidebar or ~/Downloads).
  • Find Doll.dmg.
  • Open the DMG:
  • Double-click Doll.dmg.
  • If it fails, right-click > Open or run:
    open ~/Downloads/Doll.dmg
  • A window opens showing the Doll app icon and an Applications folder.
• Install:
  • Drag the Doll icon (a stylized figure) into the Applications folder.
  • Takes ~10 seconds to copy.
  • If prompted, enter your Mac’s admin password (same as for Sequoia USB installs or Chrome setup).
• Eject DMG:
  • In Finder, click the eject icon (⏏) next to “Doll” (under “Locations”).
  • Delete the .dmg to save space:
    rm ~/Downloads/Doll.dmg
• Outcome: Doll is now in /Applications.

Step 3: Launch and Set Up Doll

• Open Doll:
  • Go to Applications in Finder > Double-click Doll.
  • Or use Spotlight: Command + Space, type “Doll,” press Enter.
• Grant Permissions:
• Doll requires Accessibility API access to monitor app badges.
• A pop-up will prompt: Click Open System Settings (or go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility).
• Toggle Doll to on (enter admin password if asked).
• If no prompt, manually enable:
  • System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility > Click + > Select /Applications/Doll.app > Open.
• Why: Without this, Doll can’t track Dock badges (e.g., Messages unread count).
• Initial Setup:
• Doll launches with a small window and a menu bar icon (default is Doll’s logo).
• The window shows a “+” button (bottom-left) to add apps.

Step 4: Add Application Icons to the Menu Bar

• Select Apps:
• In Doll’s window, click the + button (bottom-left).
• A Finder-like dialog opens: Browse to Applications (or search via the dialog’s search bar).
• Choose apps you want in the menu bar, e.g.:
  • Messages.
  • Mail.
  • Google Chrome.
  • Slack, Teams, or others for work.
• Click Open to add each app.
• Repeat for multiple apps (no limit, but menu bar space matters).
• Customize Icons:
• After adding, Doll places each app’s icon and badge (e.g., “3” for unread Messages) in the menu bar.
• To adjust:
  • Open Doll’s window > Right-click an app > Check Show Icon or Show Badge to toggle visibility.
  • Default: Shows both icon and badge (e.g., Messages icon with a number).
• Order Icons:
  • Hold Command (⌘) and drag icons in the menu bar to reorder (e.g., place Messages left of Mail).
  • If dragging fails, adjust in Doll’s window: Drag apps up/down to reorder.
• Test:
• Open an app (e.g., Messages) > Send a test message from your iPhone.
• Check if Doll’s menu bar icon updates (e.g., shows “1” for new message).
• Outcome: Icons appear in the menu bar, mirroring Dock badges (e.g., Chrome notifications).

Step 5: Configure Doll Settings

• Launch at Login:
• To ensure Doll runs on startup:
  • Go to System Settings > General > Login Items.
  • Click +, select /Applications/Doll.app, click Open.
  • Or in Doll’s window: Check Launch at Login (if available in settings).
• Customize Notifications:
• Open Doll’s window > Click gear icon (or right-click menu bar icon > Preferences).
• Options (per GitHub README):
  • Badge Only: Show numbers without icons for minimalism.
  • Icon Size: Adjust to fit your menu bar (e.g., small for crowded bars).
  • Update Frequency: Set to ~5 seconds for real-time badges (default is fine).
• Save changes (auto-applies).
• Hide Doll’s Icon:
• If you don’t want Doll’s own icon in the menu bar:
  • Right-click Doll’s menu bar icon > Hide Doll Icon (apps’ icons remain).
• Tip: For a clean menu bar, use only 2-3 app icons (e.g., Messages, Chrome) to avoid clutter.

Step 6: Verify and Use

• Check Functionality:
• Click a menu bar icon (e.g., Mail) to launch the app (if enabled in Doll’s settings).
• Verify badges update (e.g., new email increments Mail’s badge).
• Test across screens if you use multiple displays (ideal for USB recovery workflows on your Mac).
• Sync with iPhone:
• For apps like Messages or Notes, ensure iCloud is enabled (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud) to sync notifications with your iPhone 16/13 Pro Max.
• Chrome badges (e.g., Gmail) sync via Google account (your Chrome setup question).
• Monitor Performance:
• Open Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities) > Check Doll’s CPU/memory (~1-2% CPU, <50MB RAM).
• Shouldn’t slow your Mac (unlike heavy apps like 4DDiG from your recovery question).

Step 7: Maintain and Update

• Check for Updates:
• Revisit github.com/xiaogdgenuine/Doll for new releases (e.g., post-v1.3).
• Download and replace /Applications/Doll.app with the new .dmg.
• No auto-update (open-source app).
• Remove Apps:
• In Doll’s window, select an app > Click – (bottom-left) to remove its menu bar icon.
• Or drag the icon out of the menu bar while holding Command (if Doll allows).
• Uninstall Doll:
• Quit Doll: Right-click menu bar icon > Quit.
• Delete: rm -rf /Applications/Doll.app.
• Remove permissions: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility > Uncheck Doll.

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Sources: Instructions based on Doll’s GitHub README (github.com/xiaogdgenuine/Doll), user guides on Reddit (reddit.com/r/MacOS), and macOS menu bar tutorial.