Get the clock back in your Mac's menu bar

Why it happens

Your Mac always keeps the clock in the menu bar, so when it seems to be gone it's usually being squeezed out. Lots of app icons and controls can fill the bar, and on a MacBook with a camera notch the icons that don't fit just disappear. Freeing a little space brings the clock back.

How to fix it

1. Hold down the Command key, then drag an icon you don't need down and off the menu bar. Let go when you see it lift away. Repeat for a few icons.

2. Untick any controls you rarely use in Menu Bar settings, under Menu Bar Controls. Every one you hide gives the clock more room.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls

3. While you're there, Clock Options… sets how the clock looks, such as digital or analog and whether the date shows.

   Menu Bar›Menu Bar Controls›Clock Options…

Still not fixed?

1. If the whole menu bar is gone until you move the pointer to the top, check Automatically hide and show the menu bar in Menu Bar settings and set it to Never.

   Menu Bar›Automatically hide and show the menu bar

2. In a full-screen app the menu bar slides away. Move the pointer to the top of the screen to see it, or leave full screen.

3. If you see a tiny clock face instead of numbers, the style is set to Analog. Change it back to Digital in Clock Options… in Menu Bar settings.

4. Some apps in the menu bar hold several icons. Quit the app or turn off its menu bar icon in the app's own settings to free more space.

5. If the clock is still missing with plenty of free space, restart your Mac. If that doesn't bring it back, contact Apple Support.