NotchNook 1.5.5

NotchNook 1.5.5 for Mac

NotchNook is a macOS utility from lo.cafe that expands the MacBook notch (or a slim top-center handler on notchless displays) into an interactive panel for widgets, live activities, and a temporary file tray. Version 1.5.5 is a focused update that fixes live-activity behavior in fullscreen and after calendar events, and polishes tray width and notes keyboard control.

What NotchNook does

The app adds a hover- and gesture-friendly “Nook” area with customizable widgets—media playback controls, calendar summaries, notes, system indicators, mirrors, and other modules described on the vendor site and in Setapp’s product copy. A separate “Tray” mode acts as a short-term shelf: drag files or content into the notch region for quick staging, preview, and hand-off to other apps, similar in spirit to a lightweight drop zone rather than a permanent dock replacement.

Live activities surface ongoing state (for example now-playing audio or calendar-driven alerts) without opening full apps. According to lo.cafe, NotchNook supports multiple external monitors, works on Macs without a physical notch via a transparent handler, and offers extensive appearance and layout options. Scroll and swipe gestures are part of the intended interaction model.

Who it is for

It suits MacBook users who want iPhone Dynamic Island–style affordances at the top of the screen, or anyone who prefers glanceable controls and a file staging area tied to the menu-bar notch zone instead of extra menu-bar icons.

Version 1.5.5

Published changelog text for 1.5.5 (mirrored on MacUpdate; the lo.cafe product page does not list per-build notes inline) covers four changes: fullscreen live-activity visibility, calendar live-activity cleanup after events end, default tray width aligned with the Nook to reduce accidental panel dismissal, and Escape-key support in the notes widget. Treat this build as a stability and UX patch on the 1.5 line, not a major feature release.

Licensing, distribution, and requirements

NotchNook is sold directly from lo.cafe (about $25 one-time for five devices or about $3 per month for two devices per the developer FAQ) and is also available through Setapp. It is not distributed on the Mac App Store; developer Igor Marcossi told The Verge that store rules conflict with private APIs used for media control. Minimum macOS is 14.6 per lo.cafe. Installation typically requires granting system permissions such as Accessibility and Screen Recording so the app can draw and interact around the notch area—exact prompts depend on your macOS version and enabled features. A 15-day refund window is stated on the vendor site.