Keep the menu bar visible when an app is full screen

Why it happens

Full screen gives an app the whole display, so your Mac slides the menu bar away to make room. It's still there, and it comes back when you move the pointer to the very top edge. The Menu Bar setting decides when it hides: always, on the desktop only, in full screen only, or never.

How to fix it

1. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings and click Menu Bar in the sidebar.

2. Open the Automatically hide and show the menu bar pop-up menu and choose Never to keep the menu bar showing everywhere. On Desktop Only also keeps it in full screen, but hides it on your normal desktop.

   Menu Bar›Automatically hide and show the menu bar

3. Put an app in full screen to check. The menu bar and clock should stay at the top.

Still not fixed?

1. Need it just once? Move your pointer to the very top of the screen and the menu bar slides down.

2. Use Fill instead of full screen. Choose Window > Fill and the window covers the screen while the menu bar stays visible.

   Menu bar›Window›Fill

3. To leave full screen, press Control-Command-F in most apps, or move the pointer to the top and click the green button.

4. Some video players use their own full-screen view and hide everything anyway. Press Escape or move the pointer to the top to get the controls back.

5. If the menu bar won't show even with Never chosen, log out and back in, or restart. Contact Apple Support if it still stays hidden.