How to Customize macOS Dock

Edited 7 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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The Dock in macOS is an important part of the interface for Apple's operating system. It provides quick access to frequently used applications, keeps your workspace organized, and makes multitasking easier. Customizing your Dock can increase your efficiency and make your experience more personal. In this guide, we'll explore the detailed steps to customize your Dock, including everything from adding and rearranging applications to changing its appearance.

Understanding the Dock

The Dock is a row of icons at the bottom (or side) of your Mac's screen. It usually has three sections: application icons, a separator for folders and minimized windows, and the Trash. By understanding the basic structure of the Dock, you can use its features more efficiently.

Adding applications to the Dock

Adding applications to your Dock is very easy. To add an app, open the Applications folder from the Finder. Find the application you want to add, click and drag it to the Dock. Drop it wherever you want it to be. The Dock will accommodate the new icon by moving other icons to accommodate the new icon.

Here's a step-by-step example:

1. Open Finder and go to your Applications folder.
2. Find the app you want to add, such as Maps.
3. Click on Maps application and drag it to the Dock.
4. Drop the icon into the location you want on the Dock. The other icons will move aside to make room.

Reorder Dock items

Once your apps are added to the Dock, you'll want to organize them the way you want. It's just as simple. Click and hold the icon of the app you want to move, then drag it to the desired location in the Dock.

Example:

1. Suppose you want Safari to be the first icon on the Dock.
2. Click and hold Safari icon in the Dock.
3. Drag it to the leftmost position (if your Dock is horizontal, assume the normal arrangement) and release.

Removing applications from the Dock

If you find that you no longer need an app in your Dock, it's easy to remove it. To remove an app, click and hold the icon until you see a pop-up menu, then choose Options > Remove from Dock, or drag the icon out of the Dock until you see the Remove option and release it.

For example:

1. If you stopped using Reminders, click and hold the Reminders icon.
2. Drag it out of the Dock, and a little Delete icon will appear.
3. Release the app, and it will be removed from the Dock.

Adjusting the Dock position

By default, the Dock is located at the bottom of the screen, but it can also be moved to the left or right. To adjust the position, follow these steps:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click on Dock and Menu Bar.
3. Locate the Position option on the screen and select Left, Bottom, or Right.

It may be useful to change the position of the dock depending on your screen real estate or personal preference.

Resizing the Dock

The size of the Dock can be adjusted to fit more apps or to make it less obtrusive. To change the size of the Dock:

1. Hover your mouse cursor over the Dock's separator (the line that separates apps from folders and the Trash) until the cursor changes to a line with an arrow.
2. Click and drag the arrow up to increase the size of the Dock, or drag the arrow down to decrease it.

Hide and show the Dock

If you want a clean screen, you can set the Dock to hide when not in use and appear only when your mouse cursor hovers over its location. To enable this setting:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Go to Dock and Menu bar.
3. Check the box next to Automatically hide and show the Dock.

This feature can free up space on the screen, especially useful on smaller displays.

Minimizing windows to the Dock

When you minimize a window, it usually shrinks to an icon on the right side of the Dock. You can also choose to minimize the window to its application icon. To make this setting:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click on Dock and Menu Bar.
3. Under Minimize Windows Using, select Genie Effect or Scale Effect to adjust the animation.

To make the app icon smaller:

1. In the same Dock & Menu Bar preferences, check the box that says Minimize windows to application icons.

Make Dock icons bigger

You can set the Dock to magnify icons when you hover over them, making it easier to select the right icon, especially on smaller screens. To enable magnification:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Go to Dock and Menu bar.
3. Check the Magnification box. You can adjust the amount of magnification using the slider provided.

Conclusion

Customizing the macOS Dock can lead to a more efficient and personalized user experience. From adding and organizing apps, adjusting the size and position, to using advanced features like window minimization and icon magnification, you can customize the Dock to fit your needs. By exploring these options within System Preferences, you can create a workflow that supports your daily activities and enhances your overall macOS experience.

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