By the NotchPop team · Updated
Short answer
Yes, you can use a notch app without a notch. On an iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, external monitor or older MacBook, NotchPop shows a floating island at the top center of the screen with the same music, file, clipboard, focus and calendar tools as the notch version.
How it works
On a notched MacBook, the island wraps around the camera cutout. On any other display there's nothing to wrap, so NotchPop draws a small black pill at the top center of the screen instead. It sits where the notch would be, stays out of the way when closed, and opens the same way: hover to peek, click to open.
Which Macs and displays it works on
- iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro
- External monitors, including Apple Studio Display and third-party displays
- MacBooks without a notch, like the M1 MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro
- Apple Silicon and Intel Macs running macOS 14 Sonoma or later
Not sure whether your Mac has a notch? See which Macs have a notch.
What you get on a desktop Mac
Every NotchPop tool works the same with or without a notch:
- Media Island: now playing, controls and speaker switching
- Drop Shelf: a drag-and-drop tray for files
- Clipboard: opt-in, searchable history
- Focus & Hydration: Pomodoro with a live countdown
- Calendar: agenda and one-click meeting joins
- Weather & Utilities: forecasts, converters and system stats
Other apps that do this
Most notch apps in our comparison support Macs without a notch. The "Works without a notch" and "External display support" rows show exactly which ones.
