Changing where the icon appears does not turn cursor activity on or off. Visibility and KeepArc state are controlled separately.
Visibility and access
Choose where KeepArc appears — and keep a way back.
KeepArc can hide its menu bar icon automatically during visible communication activity, hide it manually, remain in the Dock, or add a Dock fallback when the icon may no longer be reachable.
Automatic detection
- Screen sharing
- Camera activity
- Microphone activity
- Call indicators
Ways back
- Always-visible Dock icon
- Automatic Dock fallback
- Global keyboard shortcut
- An already open KeepArc settings window
Visibility automation · Plus
React to the indicators macOS already shows.
- 1
Turn automation on
Enable hiding for screen sharing, camera, microphone, or call activity in the Menu Bar section.
- 2
Choose the check interval
Set how often KeepArc checks for a relevant macOS menu-bar indicator.
- 3
Let the icon hide
When relevant activity is detected, KeepArc removes its menu bar icon while continuing to follow its activity rules.
- 4
Restore it automatically
When the indicator is no longer active, the menu bar icon can return without changing KeepArc's on/off state.
What KeepArc examines
System indicators, not conversation content.
KeepArc looks for the sharing, camera, microphone, and call indicators presented in the menu bar. It does not need the content of your call, camera feed, microphone audio, or shared screen.
Current status
The settings window reports whether automation is enabled, whether relevant activity is currently detected, and why the menu bar icon is hidden.
Manual control
Hide the icon deliberately without losing KeepArc.
Manual hiding is useful when you want a clean menu bar even outside a call or screen share.
Hide the menu bar icon
Remove the status item manually while KeepArc continues running with its current settings.
Always show KeepArc in the Dock
Use KeepArc as a regular Dock app as well as a menu-bar utility.
Open with a global shortcut
A configurable system-wide shortcut can bring the KeepArc window forward even when its menu bar icon is hidden.
Use an open KeepArc window
If the settings window is already open, it remains another place to manage visibility and reveal the menu bar icon.
Dock fallback · Plus
Recover when macOS runs out of visible menu-bar space.
On crowded menu bars, an icon can be present but no longer reachable. KeepArc can periodically check whether its status item appears on screen.
Automatic fallback
Add Dock access only when it may be needed.
If KeepArc cannot confirm that its menu bar icon is visible, it can show the Dock icon as a fallback. When the menu bar icon becomes reachable again, the fallback can be removed.
Permission
Automatic visibility checking requires Accessibility access. Without that permission, KeepArc does not pretend it can verify the icon's position.
Intentional hiding
The fallback is for an icon that may be pushed out of view. It does not defeat intentional hiding during detected screen-sharing or communication activity.
Dock menu
The fallback still provides useful controls.
Activity and auto-stop
Turn KeepArc on or off and choose an available auto-stop option from its Dock menu.
KeepArc Lock and permissions
Activate KeepArc Lock, request Accessibility access, or open the relevant System Settings page.
Open, reveal, or quit
Open the main window, reveal the menu bar icon, or quit KeepArc directly from the Dock.
Visibility FAQ
What changes when an icon disappears.
Does hiding the icon stop KeepArc?
No. Visibility and cursor activity are separate controls.
Does KeepArc record the microphone or camera?
No. It looks for the relevant macOS menu-bar indicators; it does not capture their content.
Can the Dock icon stay visible all the time?
Yes. You can choose to keep KeepArc in the Dock permanently instead of using it only as a fallback.
What if I hide the menu bar icon manually?
Use the Dock, the configurable global shortcut, or an already open KeepArc window to return to it.
KeepArc Plus
Advanced visibility controls are included during launch access.
KeepArc Plus is currently included for everyone through August 31, 2026.