MenuBarUSB

MenuBarUSB is an application for macOS that shows information about connected USB devices directly in the menu bar. It provides details such as name, manufacturer, and transfer speed. The application facilitates the identification and management of peripherals.

★★★★★

5.0(2 ratings)

• Menu bar monitor. A numeric icon in the macOS menu bar indicates the total number of active USB devices. Clicking the icon displays a complete list of each connected device. The information updates in real-time with connections and disconnections.
• Detailed device information. For each device, the list shows its name, manufacturer, serial number, and data transfer speed. This data is obtained directly from the system, offering a precise technical view of each connection.
• Device renaming. Allows assigning custom names to connected USB devices. This function helps distinguish between similar peripherals or identify equipment with unclear or generic manufacturer designations.
• Storage capacity indicator. Shows the maximum storage capacity on USB drives and external hard disks. This information appears next to the device name in the dropdown list, providing a quick summary of its specifications.
• Activity log (Logs). The application maintains a temporary history of connection and disconnection events. The log includes timestamps and device details, allowing review of recent USB activity. The limit of stored logs is configurable.
• Log display filter. Includes an option to show only a certain number of recent records, keeping the event list manageable. A clock icon button allows toggling the display of the time interval between consecutive events.
• Experimental network monitor. Categorized as an experimental feature in settings, this functionality extends monitoring beyond USB ports. Its access and status are managed from the application's settings panel.
• Configuration interface. A settings panel allows customizing aspects of the application's behavior. From here, options such as log storage, device list width, and display of items in the menu bar are managed.
• UI element hiding. Provides the option to hide the menu bar icon or the numerical device counter. This configuration is done in the settings panel, adapting the application's visibility to user preferences.
• Data export in JSON. Allows exporting the connection log history in JSON format. The structure of the exported file is defined, facilitating later data analysis or integration with other tools.
• Device inheritance tree. Shows the hierarchical relationship between USB controllers and connected devices. This technical view can be opened in a separate window for detailed analysis of the USB bus topology.
• Log status indicator. A toggle button in the log interface visually signals whether event storage is active or inactive. The button changes color between green and red to reflect the current state of the function.
• Internal storage usage monitoring. In the storage category of the settings, hovering the cursor over buttons shows the amount of internal space each application element is using. This facilitates resource management.
• Quick application restart. Some critical configuration changes, such as enabling the option to show previously connected devices, require an application restart. This process is performed automatically and quickly to apply the new configuration.
• Silent updates. The process of checking for new software versions is carried out without emitting notification sounds after obtaining the information. The user is informed of available updates visually in the interface.

Development of MenuBarUSB began in 2021. The main creator is Rafael Neuwirth Swierczynski. The application is written in the Swift programming language, using native macOS frameworks for the user interface and system interaction.

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