4 ms·

Tell HN: macOS Bartender disables features, forcing users to buy license again

11 points by behnamoh 3y ago

I have bought Bartender's license and while some of its features already didn't work on Ventura, I didn't mind. But after upgrading macOS to Sonoma, Bartender has become an annoy-ware, randomly showing a disturbing item in the menu bar and basically telling me it's what it is unless I buy the newer version (Bartender 5) which is "optimized" for Sonoma. This is not acceptable. Deleted the app using App Cleaner to make sure none of its files remain on my machine.

jzombie 3y ago
I've pretty much just forced myself to adapt to macOS the way it is, stock, and not deal with these types of apps, for this very reason.
samcat116 3y ago
What features didn’t work on Ventura? Never encountered an issue there. Bartender does a paid upgrade almost yearly. That weird item in the menu bar is due to an Apple API change that they have to adapt to. Plus the new version has the most features I think I’ve seen in any release ever.
ApolloRising 3y ago
Try: https://github.com/Mortennn/Dozer/ https://github.com/Mortennn/Dozer/ or https://github.com/dwarvesf/hidden https://github.com/dwarvesf/hidden
- menshiki 3y ago
  I also recommend Dozer. Been using the app for years and it has never caused me any issues.
KomoD 3y ago
Paying "per version" is actually common and fine in my opinion (discounted upgrade too which is nice). And "If you bought Bartender 4 from July 2022 you are entitled to a free upgrade to Bartender 5, Bartender 5 will accept and use your Bartender 4 license."
- fckgw 3y ago
  They also have a 50% discount for upgrades as well.
syncbehind 3y ago
In this case bartender isn't disabling features, Apple is. The "disturbing item" is a feature of the new OS. I get feeling. But you should point fingers where deserved.
gymbeaux 3y ago
I had a similar experience with a color picking app called Sip. I bought it years ago, but recently they said I needed to buy it again. I didn’t buy it again.
runjake 3y ago
RTFM? https://www.macbartender.com/Bartender4/support/ https://www.macbartender.com/Bartender4/support/ Nonetheless, you solved your (and perhaps their) problem and deleted the app.

11 points by behnamoh 3y ago

jzombie 3y ago

I've pretty much just forced myself to adapt to macOS the way it is, stock, and not deal with these types of apps, for this very reason.

samcat116 3y ago

What features didn’t work on Ventura? Never encountered an issue there. Bartender does a paid upgrade almost yearly. That weird item in the menu bar is due to an Apple API change that they have to adapt to. Plus the new version has the most features I think I’ve seen in any release ever.

ApolloRising 3y ago

Try: https://github.com/Mortennn/Dozer/ https://github.com/Mortennn/Dozer/ or https://github.com/dwarvesf/hidden https://github.com/dwarvesf/hidden

menshiki 3y ago
I also recommend Dozer. Been using the app for years and it has never caused me any issues.

KomoD 3y ago

Paying "per version" is actually common and fine in my opinion (discounted upgrade too which is nice). And "If you bought Bartender 4 from July 2022 you are entitled to a free upgrade to Bartender 5, Bartender 5 will accept and use your Bartender 4 license."

fckgw 3y ago
They also have a 50% discount for upgrades as well.

syncbehind 3y ago

In this case bartender isn't disabling features, Apple is. The "disturbing item" is a feature of the new OS. I get feeling. But you should point fingers where deserved.

gymbeaux 3y ago

I had a similar experience with a color picking app called Sip. I bought it years ago, but recently they said I needed to buy it again. I didn’t buy it again.

runjake 3y ago

RTFM? https://www.macbartender.com/Bartender4/support/ https://www.macbartender.com/Bartender4/support/ Nonetheless, you solved your (and perhaps their) problem and deleted the app.