# NotchOwl NotchOwl is a Mac workspace for managing tasks, focus sessions, notes, and upcoming calendar events from the notch or menu bar. It is designed for keeping a personal daily workflow accessible without opening separate windows. - Findings24: - Website: - Pricing: Freemium - Categories: Design Tools ## What is NotchOwl? NotchOwl is a menu-bar productivity workspace for Apple silicon Macs running macOS 14 or later. It puts tasks, focus timers, notes, activity information, and optional calendar events in a compact interface opened from the Mac’s notch, with Option–N, or from the menu-bar icon. Its core workflow is simple: capture tasks or ideas, choose what to work on, and keep a timer visible while focusing. The app also records completed tasks and active focus time so users can review daily activity. On displays without a notch, NotchOwl opens at the top center of the screen or in a full dashboard. ## What can NotchOwl do? ### Task management from the notch Add and organize tasks in the workspace without opening a separate productivity window. The workspace can be opened by hovering over the notch, pressing Option–N, or using the menu-bar icon. ### Countdown and stopwatch focus modes Select a task and start a timed focus session with either a time limit or a stopwatch. Timers can be paused, resumed, or extended by five minutes, and they remain visible beside the notch while working. ### Auto-saving daily notepad Capture ideas, links, and loose ends in a daily notepad that saves as you type. Place the cursor on a line and press Command–Return to convert that line into a task. ### Daily activity insights Review completed tasks, active focus time, and daily activity in one place. Insights count active focus time rather than time when the Mac is asleep. ### Optional Apple Calendar event view Show today’s upcoming events from calendars already added to Apple Calendar on the Mac. Calendar access is optional, and NotchOwl only reads events; it does not create, edit, or delete them. ### Local planner data and JSON backup After activation, tasks, notes, and timers work locally and planner data stays on the Mac. Planner data can be exported as a JSON backup. ## Use Cases ### Start a focused work session Choose one task, set a countdown or stopwatch, and keep the running timer visible near the notch while working in another app. ### Capture ideas without changing context Use the daily notepad for quick thoughts, links, and loose ends, then turn individual lines into tasks when they become actionable. ### Review the day’s progress Check completed tasks, active focus time, and daily activity to see what work was finished and where attention was spent. ### Coordinate tasks with the day’s schedule Optionally connect Apple Calendar to view upcoming events alongside tasks, while leaving calendar changes to Apple Calendar itself. ### Use a Mac without a notch Open the workspace at the top center of a display below the menu bar, or use the full dashboard, when the Mac or display has no notch. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What Mac requirements does NotchOwl have? NotchOwl requires macOS 14 or later, and the current download supports Apple silicon Macs. A Mac with a notch is not required; on other displays, the workspace opens at the top center of the screen or in a full dashboard. ### How does NotchOwl access calendar events? Calendar access is optional. When enabled, NotchOwl reads today’s upcoming events from calendars already added to Apple Calendar on the Mac. It does not create, edit, or delete events. ### Does NotchOwl work offline? Yes, after license activation. Tasks, notes, and timers work locally. Internet access is required for activation, deactivation, and update checks. ### What does the license include? The lifetime license includes every NotchOwl feature, lifetime updates, and activation on up to three Macs. The installer is free to download, but a paid license is required to use the app. ### Can a license be moved to another Mac? Yes. Deactivate the current Mac in Settings under License, then enter the license key on the new Mac. Deactivation requires an internet connection, and the three-Mac activation limit still applies. ## Quick Facts - **Product type**: Mac menu-bar productivity workspace - **Platform**: Apple silicon Macs running macOS 14 or later - **Access**: Mac notch, Option–N shortcut, or menu-bar icon - **Calendar behavior**: Optional read-only access to Apple Calendar events - **Offline use**: Available after license activation - **Data backup**: JSON export for planner data