Auto-Hide Hotbar
If you play Minecraft for hours on end, your screen is quietly paying the price. Static HUD elements like the hotbar, health bar, and hunger bar sit in the exact same pixels session after session, and on OLED displays that repetition can lead to permanent burn-in. Auto-Hide Hotbar is a mod built to solve that problem while also giving your screen a cleaner, more cinematic look.
Originally a fork of Alphayt's OLED Saver mod, this version expands the concept with extra features, NeoForge support, and compatibility with Minecraft 26.1 and newer. Whether you are protecting an expensive OLED monitor or simply want fewer distractions while exploring, this mod delivers a surprisingly elegant solution.
What Auto-Hide Hotbar Actually Does
The core idea is simple: HUD elements that have not changed for a configurable amount of time are considered inactive. Once inactive, they can either fade to a lower opacity or disappear entirely. The moment something changes, such as taking damage or switching items, the element returns to full visibility.
This behavior covers far more than just the hotbar. The mod supports hiding or dimming the health bar, hunger bar, armor bar, XP bar, and effect indicators. Even the mount jump and dash bar is handled, only appearing when you are actually powering up a jump. The result is a HUD that feels responsive rather than cluttered.
Supported Versions and Loaders
Auto-Hide Hotbar for Minecraft supports both Fabric and NeoForge, making it accessible regardless of which mod loader you prefer. On Fabric, you will need Architectury API and Fabric API. On NeoForge, Architectury API is the only required dependency. The mod targets Minecraft 26.1 and above, so players on the latest releases can use it without waiting for a backport.
Key Features at a Glance
- Inactive HUD elements are hidden or dimmed to a configurable opacity
- Supports the hotbar, health, hunger, armor, XP, and effect indicators
- Mount jump and dash bar only shows while powering up
- Held item tooltips can be hidden (off by default)
- Hotbar stats always remain visible while inside the inventory
- Custom text overlay option for stats in the inventory
- Configurable timings for how long elements stay active
- Health and hunger thresholds let you show bars only when below a set percentage
One detail that stands out is the threshold system. Instead of showing your health bar every time it changes, you can configure it to appear only when health drops below a chosen percentage. That single option transforms the HUD from reactive noise into a genuine warning system.
How to Install Auto-Hide Hotbar
Installation follows the standard modding workflow. First, confirm you are running Minecraft 26.1 or newer with either Fabric or NeoForge installed. Next, place Architectury API and the appropriate loader API into your mods folder. Then drop the Auto-Hide Hotbar jar file in alongside them and launch the game.
If you want to skip the manual file shuffling, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install path for Auto-Hide Hotbar, pulling the correct build for your Minecraft version and loader automatically. Configuration is handled in-game through MidnightLib, which is bundled with the mod, so there is no separate config file to edit by hand.
Configuring the Mod
Once in-game, open the MidnightLib config screen to adjust behavior. You can decide whether inactive elements stay visible, fade to a partial opacity, or vanish completely. Timings for inactivity are fully adjustable, letting you choose between an aggressive minimal HUD or a more conservative fade that keeps information nearby.
Additional toggles cover held item tooltips, the inventory stat overlay, and the percentage thresholds for health and hunger. Players who prefer a traditional HUD can simply raise the timers or disable hiding entirely, while minimalists can push the settings toward a nearly invisible interface.
Who Should Use This Mod
Auto-Hide Hotbar is aimed at two overlapping audiences. The first is OLED owners who want to reduce the risk of burn-in during long sessions. The second is players who appreciate a cleaner visual experience, especially in screenshots, cinematic recordings, or simply while wandering a biome at sunset.
Because the mod is highly configurable, it never forces a single playstyle. You can dim instead of hide, keep stats visible in the inventory, and fine-tune every timer to match how you play. That flexibility is what separates it from simpler HUD-hiding mods.
Final Thoughts
Auto-Hide Hotbar solves a real problem without sacrificing usability. It protects your display, reduces on-screen clutter, and stays out of the way until you actually need information. For Minecraft 26.1+ players on Fabric or NeoForge, it is a small addition with a noticeable impact. If you have ever worried about burn-in or wished your HUD would just get out of the way, this mod is worth adding to your setup.