Download Backup Bar
Free and open source.
System Requirements
macOS 13.0+
Ventura or later
Intel & Apple Silicon
Universal binary
Full Disk Access
Recommended for full features
~5 MB disk space
Lightweight install
Installation
- 1
Download the DMG file from the link above.
- 2
Open the downloaded DMG file.
- 3
Drag Backup Bar to your Applications folder.
- 4
Launch the app — it appears as a small LED indicator in your menu bar.
- 5
Grant Full Disk Access for the best experience (recommended, see below).
Full Disk Access Setup
Recommended: Grant Full Disk Access
- Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.
- Find Backup Bar in the list and toggle it on.
Why? Full Disk Access allows the app to read detailed backup information from tmutil, including backup history, storage details, and progress data.
Without it: The app still shows basic backup status (green/red LED), but with limited detail in the dropdown menu.
Opening for the First Time
macOS Gatekeeper Notice
Since Backup Bar is downloaded from the internet and not distributed through the Mac App Store, macOS may show a warning the first time you open it.
To open the app:
- Option A: Right-click (or Control-click) the app in your Applications folder and select Open. Click Open again in the dialog that appears.
- Option B: Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll down, and click Open Anyway next to the Backup Bar message.
You only need to do this once.
Release Notes
- Menu bar LED indicator: green when safe, red during backups
- Dropdown with backup status, progress, history, and storage details
- Back Up Now: trigger a manual backup from the menu bar
- Notifications for backup completed and backup failed
- Launch at Login support
- Universal binary: Intel and Apple Silicon