Add Remove Eject Icon Menu Bar: How to Fix
If your Mac’s menu bar is missing the add, remove, or eject icons—or you want to customize which icons appear there—this guide shows you exactly how to manage them. You’ll learn where these icons live, how to add or remove them, and how to fix common issues like a missing eject icon or a menu bar that won’t let you drag icons.
What Are the Add, Remove, and Eject Icons?
On macOS, the menu bar (the thin strip at the top of the screen) hosts two types of icons: app menus on the left and status or utility icons on the right. The icons you’re asking about are typically:
- Add icon – Usually a plus sign (+) that appears in apps like Calendar, Reminders, or Notes, letting you create a new item. It’s not a menu bar icon by default; it lives inside the app’s toolbar.
- Remove icon – Often a minus sign (−) or an X, found in the same apps or in list-editing contexts. Again, it’s not a standalone menu bar icon.
- Eject icon – A triangle with a line underneath, shown in the menu bar when external drives, discs, or network volumes are connected. It lets you safely unmount and eject storage.
If you’re seeing these icons in the menu bar itself (for example, in a third-party app like a disk utility), the way to add or remove them depends on the app. But for the standard macOS eject icon, there are specific settings.
How to Show or Hide the Eject Icon in the Menu Bar
The eject icon is not always visible by default. On modern macOS (Big Sur and later), you can control it through System Settings:
- Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS).
- Click Control Center (in the left sidebar).
- Scroll down to the Menu Bar Only section.
- Find Eject (or “Disk Utility” on some versions) and choose whether to show it in the menu bar or not.
If you don’t see an Eject option, it may be because your Mac doesn’t have an optical drive (most modern Macs don’t) or because the system only shows it when a disc is inserted. In that case, you can still eject discs via Finder or by pressing the Eject key on your keyboard.
Adding and Removing Icons in the Menu Bar
For third-party apps that add their own menu bar icons (like Dropbox, Slack, or a disk utility), you usually control them from within the app’s preferences. Look for a setting like “Show menu bar icon” or “Display icon in menu bar.”
For Apple’s own Control Center items (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Battery, etc.), you can add or remove them in the same Control Center pane of System Settings. Simply click the toggle next to each item to show or hide it in the menu bar.
If you want to remove an icon that isn’t in Control Center (e.g., a third-party utility), you may need to quit the app or disable its menu bar extra in the app’s settings. Some apps also allow you to Command-drag the icon off the menu bar—press and hold the Command key, then drag the icon away and release.
Why Is the Eject Icon Missing?
There are several common reasons the eject icon doesn’t appear:
- No external drives connected – The eject icon only shows when there’s something to eject (like a USB drive, SD card, or disc).
- macOS version – Older macOS versions (before Catalina) had a different way of handling eject. In macOS Catalina and later, the eject icon is part of Control Center and may be hidden by default.
- Finder settings – In Finder > Settings > General, you can choose whether to show external disks, CDs, and servers on the desktop. This doesn’t directly control the menu bar icon, but it affects how you see connected drives.
- Third-party apps interfering – Some utilities that manage menu bar icons (like Bartender) can hide the eject icon. Check those apps’ settings.
If you still can’t see it, try restarting Finder (hold Option, right-click Finder in the Dock, and choose Relaunch).
How to Eject Drives Without the Icon
If the eject icon is missing or you prefer not to use it, you have several alternatives:
- Finder sidebar – In a Finder window, click the eject icon next to the drive’s name.
- Desktop – Drag the drive icon to the Trash (it changes to an eject symbol).
- Keyboard shortcut – Select the drive in Finder and press Command+E.
- Right-click – Control-click the drive icon and choose “Eject.”
Always eject external drives before unplugging them to avoid data corruption.
Common Problems and Fixes
Here are a few issues you might run into and how to solve them:
- Can’t drag icons off the menu bar – Make sure you’re holding the Command key and that the icon isn’t locked by a third-party app. Some apps have a “lock” option in their settings.
- Eject icon appears but doesn’t work – Try restarting your Mac, or check if the drive is in use by an app. Close all apps that might be using the drive.
- Icon keeps coming back – If you turned it off in System Settings but it reappears, it might be a third-party app that re-enables it. Check that app’s preferences.
- Menu bar is overcrowded – Use a tool like Bartender (paid) or Hidden Bar (free) to organize icons, but be aware that some system icons cannot be hidden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no eject icon on my MacBook Pro?
Most modern MacBook Pros don’t have an optical disc drive, so the eject icon is only relevant when you connect an external drive. If you have an external drive connected and still don’t see the icon, go to System Settings > Control Center and ensure “Eject” is set to “Show in Menu Bar.”
Can I add a custom icon to the menu bar?
Yes, many apps allow you to add their icon to the menu bar. For custom icons, you’d need to create a small app or use a utility like SwiftBar or xbar, but that requires some programming knowledge.
How do I remove the eject icon from the menu bar?
Go to System Settings > Control Center and find the Eject option. Set it to “Don’t Show in Menu Bar.” If you don’t see it, it might be because no drive is connected.
What does the eject icon look like?
It’s a small triangle with a horizontal line underneath it, similar to the symbol on a DVD player. It’s usually next to the volume or battery icons.
Why does my eject icon show a greyed-out drive?
That usually means the drive is not mounted properly or is in use. Try ejecting it from Finder or restarting your Mac.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.