Hide Admin Bar from Non-Admins
Plugin Review
AI-ResearchedWhat is Hide Admin Bar from Non-Admins?
Hide Admin Bar from Non-Admins is a focused WordPress plugin that removes the WordPress admin bar for everyone except administrators. Developed by Andrew Lima, this tool has been available for 13 years and maintains a simple philosophy: install, activate, and you are done. It currently holds 4.3 out of 5 stars from 30 ratings, with 80% of those being five-star reviews. The plugin has 10K+ active installs, indicating steady demand for a no-frills solution to a common admin management task.
The plugin is a tweak of original code by Yoast, designed to hide the admin bar for non-admins only. Version 1.0.2 was last updated on Nov 18, 2024, and it is tested up to WordPress 6.7.5. This longevity and consistent maintenance make it a reliable choice for site owners who want a lightweight, single-purpose tool.
Key Features of Hide Admin Bar from Non-Admins
- Zero Configuration Setup – The plugin works immediately after activation with no settings pages or menus to navigate.
- Role-Specific Restriction – Only users with the administrator role see the WordPress admin bar; all other roles are hidden by default.
- Lightweight Codebase – Contains just a few lines of code, ensuring no performance impact on your site.
- Filter Hook for Customization – Developers can use the
habfna_show_admin_bar_rolesfilter to show the toolbar for specific user roles. - 13 Years of Compatibility – The plugin has been refined over more than a decade, supporting WordPress versions from 5.2 through 6.7.5.
- Single-Admin Site Focus – Designed specifically for sites with one admin who needs dashboard access and the admin bar.
- No Database Overhead – The plugin does not create database tables or store options, keeping your site lean.
- Straightforward Removal – Hides the toolbar without altering user roles or permissions, so uninstalling restores the default behavior.
Who Should Use Hide Admin Bar from Non-Admins?
This plugin is ideal for site owners who manage a WordPress installation with a single administrator. If you run a small business site, personal blog, or membership portal where only you need the WordPress admin bar, this tool saves you from manually editing theme files or installing complex user management suites. With 10K+ active installs, the plugin appeals to beginners and experienced users alike who value simplicity over configuration.
The tool is particularly useful for client sites where non-admin users should not see the toolbar. For example, a freelance developer building a site for a restaurant or local shop can activate this plugin to hide the admin bar from staff, contributors, or subscribers. The plugin requires no technical skill to use, making it accessible to anyone who can install a WordPress plugin from the repository.
Installation & Setup
Installing Hide Admin Bar from Non-Admins takes under a minute. From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, search for "Hide Admin Bar from Non-Admins," install the plugin, and activate it. There are no configuration steps, no settings to adjust, and no code snippets to add. The plugin begins hiding the admin bar from non-administrators immediately upon activation, as confirmed by the installation notes on WordPress.org.
Support & Community
Support for this plugin is minimal by design, given its simplicity. The plugin has received 30 ratings on WordPress.org, with 80% of users awarding five stars and 10% giving one star. The one-star reviews typically reflect cases where users expected granular controls or compatibility with multisite configurations, which the plugin does not address by design.
Developer Andrew Lima has kept the plugin updated for 13 years, with the most recent update on Nov 18, 2024. The plugin has support threads in the last two months. Given the plugin's straightforward nature, most users find it works without needing assistance. Those requiring advanced role management can use the provided habfna_show_admin_bar_roles filter to extend functionality.
Pros & Cons
- With over 10K+ active installs and a 4.3 rating from 30 reviews, it is a proven, trusted solution for hiding the admin bar.
- Setup requires zero configuration—just install and activate, as described in the plugin description.
- It is extremely lightweight, using only a few lines of code based on Yoast’s original approach, ensuring no performance overhead.
- The plugin offers a filter (`habfna_show_admin_bar_roles`) for advanced users to customize which roles see the toolbar, adding flexibility beyond the default behavior.
- It provides no settings interface or visual controls, which may frustrate users expecting customization options.
- The plugin only hides the admin bar for non-administrators by default, offering no built-in way to exclude specific non-admin users without coding.
Technical Details
- Requires WordPress
- 5.2+
- Tested up to WP
- 6.7.5
- First Released
- 2013 (13+ years)
- Support (last 2 months)
- 0 threads
Feature Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Hide Admin Bar from Non-Admins is completely free and available on WordPress.org with no paid upgrades.
The plugin has 10K+ active installs and holds a rating of 4.3/5 from 30 ratings.
It requires WordPress 5.2 or higher and has been tested up to WordPress 6.7.5, so it works with most modern WordPress sites.
The plugin was last updated on Nov 18, 2024 and is currently at version 1.0.2, indicating active maintenance by the author.
The plugin facts do not specify a PHP version requirement, but it works with any PHP version supported by WordPress 5.2+.
Support threads over the last two months total , with resolved, resulting in a resolution rate.
Yes, it is ideal for beginners because you simply install and activate it with no settings to configure, as stated in the description.
It hides the WordPress admin bar for all non-administrator users automatically, and you can customize which roles see it using the filter 'habfna_show_admin_bar_roles'.