Support

Help for quickly hiding desktop icons.

StageSwitch is a native macOS menu bar app that makes desktop icons disappear from view before other people see your screen.

Built for the moment before your screen is seen.

StageSwitch helps keep desktop visual noise out of presentations, shared desks, and external display workflows. It hides desktop icons from view without changing the desktop file layout.

System Requirements

Use a Mac running a supported macOS version. StageSwitch is designed as a menu bar app and does not show a Dock icon.

Clear Mode

Clear Mode temporarily hides desktop icons from view. Restore Desktop brings them back and leaves your files in place.

Mac App Store

StageSwitch 1.0.0 formal distribution is planned through the Mac App Store. Local packages are only for internal testing.

How to Use StageSwitch

  1. Launch the app. StageSwitch lives in the menu bar and does not show a Dock icon.
  2. Open the menu bar item.
  3. Choose Enter Clear Mode to hide desktop icons from view.
  4. Choose Restore Desktop when the screen no longer needs a clean desktop.
  5. Optionally enable Presentation Mode on external display to hide desktop icons when a second display is connected.
  6. Choose Clear Style: Soft or Clear Style: Clean to change the temporary visual appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does StageSwitch change my desktop files?

No. StageSwitch does not move, rename, delete, index, classify, or reorganize user files.

Why can I still click my desktop while Clear Mode is active?

Clear Mode is intentionally mouse-transparent. It keeps the desktop visually clean without taking over app focus or normal macOS interaction.

What is the difference between Soft and Clean?

Soft gives the desktop a gently muted look. Clean gives the desktop a more minimal presentation look.

What does Presentation Mode on external display do?

When enabled, StageSwitch can enter Presentation Mode when a second display is connected. If you manually restore while the display is still connected, StageSwitch waits until the display disconnects before reacting to that signal again.

Does StageSwitch monitor screen sharing, camera, or microphone state?

No. StageSwitch 1.0.0 does not provide meeting app automation and does not inspect camera, microphone, screen sharing, or recording state.

Contact support

For app issues, general feedback, and feature requests, contact the StageSwitch team through the support contact configured for the Mac App Store listing.

Support contact: TBD before App Store submission.