removeStatusItem

removeStatusItem is a function or method name used in macOS Cocoa APIs to remove an item from the system status bar (the menu bar). It is typically applied to an NSStatusBar instance and is used to detach a previously added status item from the bar. Removing the item helps free resources and keeps the user interface in sync with the application’s state.

In Objective-C, the related API is provided by NSStatusBar, with a signature akin to removeStatusItem: that accepts the NSStatusItem to be removed. In Swift, the equivalent call involves the NSStatusBar or a similar wrapper, and you pass the status item you want to remove. After removal, the item is no longer visible in the menu bar, and its button, menu, and associated resources are detached.

Usage context typically involves creating a status item, configuring its button or menu, and later removing it when it is no longer needed (for example, during application shutdown or when dynamically reconfiguring the UI). It is common to perform removal on the main thread to ensure UI consistency.

Notes and considerations include ensuring you hold a reference to the status item if you plan to recreate or reuse it later. If the item should persist only during the app’s lifetime, removing it during cleanup is appropriate. For lightweight visibility changes without full removal, developers may adjust the item’s properties or length, but removeStatusItem provides a clean way to completely detach the item from the status bar.

See also: NSStatusBar, NSStatusItem, macOS Cocoa APIs.