[OS] Macabolic v3.0 - Free & Native video downloader optimized for macOS. Now with Menu Bar mode and Browser Extensions!

Hi r/macapps! 🚀

I'm back with a major update for **Macabolic**, a native macOS frontend for `yt-dlp` built entirely with SwiftUI. It's been over a month since my last post, and I've been busy implementing your feedback!

*During this journey, we've already reached* ***113 stars*** *and our* ***very first sponsor****! 🌟*

# How Macabolic stands out

While there are many downloaders out there, Macabolic focuses on being **native, lightweight, and completely free ($0)**. Unlike Electron or Java-based tools, it uses minimal system resources and feels like a first-party Apple app. It brings the power of `yt-dlp` to regular users without the CLI complexity.

# Core Features (For new users)

* 📺 **High Quality:** Supports up to 4K (2160p) downloads.
* 🌍 **Vast Site Support:** Works with YouTube and [thousands of other sites](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/blob/master/supportedsites.md).
* 🛡️ **SponsorBlock:** Automatically skips sponsors, intros, and outros.
* 🍪 **Browser Cookies:** Import cookies from your browser to bypass bot detection or access private content.
* 🎨 **Custom Presets:** Create templates for your favorite formats and codecs (AV1, VP9, H.264).
* 🌙 **Native UI:** Clean SwiftUI interface with Dark/Light mode support.

# New in v3.0 🆕

* 💎 **Menu Bar Mode:** Manage and start downloads directly from your menu bar without keeping the main window open.
* 🌐 **Browser Extensions:** Direct right-click download for **Chrome & Firefox**.
* 🔔 **Native Notifications:** Get notified instantly when your downloads are finished.
* ⚙️ **Auto-launch:** Option to start Macabolic silently in the background at login.
* 🍏 **Universal Binary:** Full native support for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.



**GitHub:** [https://github.com/alinuxpengui/Macabolic](https://github.com/alinuxpengui/Macabolic)
**Latest Release:** [https://github.com/alinuxpengui/Macabolic/releases/latest](https://github.com/alinuxpengui/Macabolic/releases/latest)


No ads, no tracking, no subnoscriptions. I'd love to hear your feedback or feature requests!

**Screenshots:**

https://preview.redd.it/trfd4h514jjg1.png?width=2024&format=png&auto=webp&s=dba0ceb8fc59b5789e5a54b8036dd4f3cfbf781d

https://preview.redd.it/0zk5vcb54jjg1.png?width=712&format=png&auto=webp&s=30f47144f0ced3b7fa21ffcd82ab8ba21fa61b56



https://redd.it/1r4wmbm
@macappsbackup

[OS] TypeWhisper — Speech-to-text for macOS, 100% local, no cloud - Free

https://redd.it/1r4t83f
@macappsbackup

Rule 8 Compliance a.k.a Please let us enjoy finding new apps again

Im finding my default stance towards apps I find here is one of suspicion and anxiety... I used to be excited to find new apps, but now that excitement is always accompanied by this anxiety of a poorly engineered app with privacy, security, performance holes.

I think there have already been a few posts about the topic of vibe coded apps flooding this sub but there is a critical point that needs to be raised that hasnt seen discussed sufficiently

Rule 8 Compliance

This is a self policing directive and its far too easy for posters to ignore/miss. I'd wager that most posters dont read the rules to begin with. And as such I am not very confident that people who are vibe coding are self labeling.

What makes this more complex is that its highly likely that most devs (at least the part of the industry that is making apps and posting onreddit) are using some amount of AI coding in their workflow with the question only being to what extent and how much are they offloading to AI. Vibe coding is the extreme end of this.

I think its worth reworking the rule to require all devs to disclose how AI was used in development - perhaps with some basic strata:

1. None
2. Code completion: Just tab complete at line/function level
3. Heavily spec'd input and fully validated output: Architecture, design, trade off decision making (i.e. core engineering) done by the human and also fully tests, validates the AI output
4. Vibe coded: Just prompting a chatbot and using whatever it gives if it works.

https://redd.it/1r4p9d1
@macappsbackup

Can't get Windows App to remote into my PC

I have a PC with Windows 11 Pro and both computers are on the same network.

I can't seem to login though. I've tried different usernames such as

PC-user-name
EMAIL@hotmail.com
PC-NAME\user
MicrosoftAccount\EMAIL@hotmail.com

Remote Desktop is enabled on the Windows machine.

Anyone figure out how to use it?

https://redd.it/1r54yqt
@macappsbackup

DS_Store Inspector — Look at Finder metadata
https://apps.apple.com/app/id6758286374

https://redd.it/1r4hjlk
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AuraFi - native lofi radio in your menu bar. <3mb, free, no bloat.

https://redd.it/1r4sk2g
@macappsbackup

[OS] Magnetism - Opensource Magnet Alternative
https://github.com/sadopc/magnetism

https://redd.it/1r58zgt
@macappsbackup

Up until 2022, macOS used to show a colorful flag for active input source in the menu bar. Now it's dull monochromatic codes. There's an app that brings back glanceability - Colorful Input Menu Flags for macOS.

Colorful Input Menu Flags menu bar item & menu

Up until May of 2022, when macOS 12.4 was released, there used to be a colorful flag for active input source in the menu bar. You would use your keyboard shortcuts to switch between languages you were accustomed to, and you'd see the flag change in the menu bar. Even with your peripheral vision, the colors used to be a very useful cue.

In Monterey 12.4, Apple changed that to a dull, monochromatic language code. There is some sort of explanation behind Apple's decision, but it never sat right to me that it was now "the new way or the highway". Within a week I've developed Colorful Input Menu Flags and hoped it would make it through App Review.

CIMF is a small menu bar utility that displays emoji-based country flags for the active keyboard layout. For languages that are official in multiple countries, the app offers customization - you can pick which flag you want to see. Some Welsh users were very vocal around this :)

What it offers:

Clear, high-contrast flag indicators for strong glanceability
Tiny memory footprint and minimal resource usage

It doesn’t replace or modify Apple’s built-in input menu — it simply adds its own visual indicator alongside it.

If you rely on multiple keyboard inputs daily and want a faster visual cue than text codes, this restores that experience in a lightweight way.

You can get it from the Mac App Store for a dollar. I hope the flair Lifetime is correct - it's a one time payment and I intend to keep the app up to date for my lifetime

https://redd.it/1r58lvu
@macappsbackup

Update on LaunchMe - Launchpad replacement with customization for macOS 26 Tahoe.

https://redd.it/1r5alf3
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