Comparison
SpaceJump vs Spaces Renamer
Spaces Renamer changes names inside Mission Control. SpaceJump shows names in the menu bar. Different approaches, different trade-offs.
Our Verdict
Spaces Renamer is broken on Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3/M4)
Spaces Renamer was the first tool to show custom names in Mission Control by modifying macOS system files. But it requires disabling System Integrity Protection (a security risk Apple warns against) and stopped working on Apple Silicon Macs after macOS 14.4. SpaceJump now also shows custom Space names in Mission Control—without requiring SIP to be disabled—and works on all Macs including Apple Silicon.
SpaceJump is best for:
- Shows names in Mission Control without disabling SIP
- Works on all Macs including Apple Silicon (M1-M4)
- Quick Switcher for instant switching
- Time tracking per Space
- Actively maintained for each macOS release
Spaces Renamer is best for:
- Free and open source
- Modifies actual macOS system labels (requires SIP disable)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SpaceJump | Spaces Renamer |
|---|---|---|
| Names in Mission Control | ||
| Names in menu bar | Menu bar + Mission Control | |
| Works on Apple Silicon (M1+) | ||
| Works on macOS 14.4+ | ||
| Requires SIP disable | ||
| Quick Switcher | ||
| Time tracking | ||
| Open source | ||
| Price | Free trial / $9.99 | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. As of macOS 14.4+, Spaces Renamer does not work on Apple Silicon Macs. It requires disabling System Integrity Protection, and even then the underlying system files it modifies have changed on Apple Silicon.
Apple strongly recommends keeping SIP enabled. It protects system files from modification. Disabling it opens your Mac to potential security risks. Most security-conscious users and organizations keep it on.
The GitHub project has been mostly inactive. The underlying approach (modifying system files) may not be feasible on Apple Silicon due to increased security restrictions. There's no announced timeline for a fix.
Yes! SpaceJump now displays custom Space names directly inside Mission Control—no SIP disable required. It also shows names in the menu bar and its Quick Switcher, so your Space names are visible everywhere you need them.