--- title: "Set Up Bambu Bar: Printer, Camera and Widgets · Bambu Bar" description: "Set up Bambu Bar on macOS 26+: install it, allow the local network, connect your Bambu Lab printer with its access code, then add the camera and widgets." url: https://bambubar.app/support/getting-started language: en --- # Set up Bambu Bar. In a minute Bambu Bar finds your printers on the network and, when Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer already knows them, their access codes too. Here's every step, and the optional extras after it. _Updated 2026-11-10_ ## In short 1. Check you have **macOS 26 or later** and the printer on the **same local network** as your Mac. 2. Move **Bambu Bar.app** to **Applications** and open it. 3. When macOS asks to find devices on your local network, click **Allow**. 4. Pick your printer from the list (or **Add All** when your slicer knows several). If the access code isn't filled in, type the one from the printer's screen. 5. Click **Connect**. Progress appears in the menu bar as soon as the printer reports in. ## Before you start - **A Mac with macOS 26 Tahoe or later**, Apple silicon or Intel. - **A Bambu Lab printer on the same network as the Mac.** [All 15 models](https://bambubar.app/printers) work, in cloud mode or LAN Only mode. No Bambu Lab account sign-in is needed. - **The printer's access code**, if Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer on this Mac doesn't already have it. [Where to find it](https://bambubar.app/guides/bambu-lab-access-code). ## 1. Get the app Buy the supporter license on the [download page](https://bambubar.app/download). After checkout, your purchase account has the app download and your license key. The Mac App Store edition is sold separately and installs from the App Store. ## 2. Install it Unzip the download, move **Bambu Bar.app** into **Applications** and open it. It lives in the menu bar: closing its window keeps it running there, without a Dock icon. ## 3. Allow the local network macOS asks whether Bambu Bar may find devices on your local network. Click **Allow**: without it, Bambu Bar can't see or reach any printer, and it tells you so with a button to the right switch. You can change it later under **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network**. ## 4. Add your printer The setup page lists the printers Bambu Bar hears on your network. - **Pick yours**, or choose **Add All** when your slicer already knows several printers: Bambu Bar sets them all up at once. - **Not listed?** Choose **Enter address manually** and type the printer's IP address from its screen. Bambu Bar reads the rest from the printer. ## 5. The access code Bambu Bar needs the printer's 8-character access code, and usually finds it on its own: - **Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer on this Mac:** the direct version reads the codes they saved. The Mac App Store version asks you to choose the slicer's folder once. - **Slicer on another Mac:** drop that Mac's `BambuStudio.conf` onto the setup page. - **No slicer:** read the code on the printer's screen, in its network settings. Bambu Bar only reads the slicer's settings and never changes them. Codes are kept in your macOS keychain and only ever sent to their printer. ## 6. Connect Click **Connect**. The menu bar shows progress and time left as soon as the printer reports in; click it for the full panel. **Open at Login** keeps Bambu Bar running after a restart. ## Optional: activate your supporter license Open **Bambu Bar → Manage License…**, paste the key from your purchase account and choose **Activate**. It enables in-app updates and the Hero Supporter badge. Printer monitoring works without it. ## Optional: the camera Turn on **Settings → Camera → Show the printer camera**, then the camera for your printer on the **Printers** page. X1, H2, H3C, P2S and X2D printers also need **LAN Only Liveview** on. See [the camera on your Mac](https://bambubar.app/features/camera). ## Optional: pause, stop and speed Reading status works in any mode. To pause, resume, stop or change the speed from your Mac, the printer must be in **LAN Only** mode with **Developer Mode** on. Until then the buttons show a lock. See [why controls are locked](https://bambubar.app/guides/bambu-lab-developer-mode). ## Optional: widgets and notifications - **Widgets:** right-click the desktop, choose **Edit Widgets…**, search for **Bambu Bar** and drag in a size. See [desktop widgets](https://bambubar.app/features/desktop-widgets). - **Notifications:** choose which ones you want on the **Notifications** page. See [print notifications](https://bambubar.app/features/print-notifications). ## If something doesn't work - **No printers in the list:** check the Local Network permission and that the Mac isn't on a guest Wi-Fi or VPN, then use **Enter address manually**. - **Access code rejected:** read it again on the printer's screen; it changes after a factory reset. - More in [Support](https://bambubar.app/support). - **Still stuck?** Email [support@clevermechanisms.dev](mailto:support@clevermechanisms.dev) with your printer model, your Bambu Bar and macOS versions, and what happened. ## Questions, answered ### Do I need a Bambu Lab account? No. Bambu Bar connects to the printer directly on your network with its access code. The printer can stay bound to your account and in cloud mode. ### Do I need Bambu Studio installed? No, but it saves a step: when Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer is on your Mac, Bambu Bar reads the access codes they saved. Otherwise you type the code from the printer's screen. ### Does it work on an Intel Mac? Yes, on Apple silicon and Intel, with macOS 26 Tahoe or later. ### How do I add a second printer? Choose **Add Printer…** in the **Printer** menu or on the **Printers** page, or **Add All** during setup when your slicer knows several printers. See [multiple printers](https://bambubar.app/features/multiple-printers). ## Read next - [Access code and IP address](https://bambubar.app/guides/bambu-lab-access-code): Where your printer shows its 8-character access code and its IP address, and how to use them to connect from your Mac. - [The printer camera on your Mac](https://bambubar.app/features/camera): Your Bambu Lab printer's live view in the menu bar, the main window or a floating window, and how to set it up for your model. - [Developer Mode and locked controls](https://bambubar.app/guides/bambu-lab-developer-mode): Why pause, stop and speed show a lock in Bambu Bar, what Developer Mode changes on the printer, and whether you need it. - [Desktop widgets](https://bambubar.app/features/desktop-widgets): Small, medium and large Mac widgets with your print's progress, time left, temperatures and filament, one per printer if you like. - [Get Bambu Bar for Mac: Download and License](https://bambubar.app/download): Get Bambu Bar for macOS 26+. Check the requirements, the optional $9.99 supporter license, installation steps and how to reach an existing purchase. --- Bambu Bar is an independent app, not affiliated with or endorsed by Bambu Lab. Bambu Lab is a trademark of its owner.