Summary
The Dock is an integral part of the macOS user interface. The Dock is the central nervous system of your Mac or MacBook, and it is often located at the bottom of the screen. There you can find all of your frequently used programs, and it’s very convenient to be able to begin a program with the click of an icon. The question is, how can you make the Dock your own and show off your favorite apps?
Thankfully, we’ve compiled this article to teach you how to customize your macOS Dock, and it’s very easy.
Simply drop applications into the Dock.
Simply dragging an app icon to the Dock is the fastest method to add it to your Mac. The icon for the program in your computer’s Applications folder or on your desktop might be used for this purpose.
If your Dock is vertical, rather than horizontal, keep in mind the section placements listed below.
The first thing you need to do is choose an app to add to your Dock.
Second, after you’ve decided where you want it to go, drag it to the Dock. If you don’t want to see recently used applications, move it to the file and folder area to the left of the divider line. Otherwise, follow the instructions below to see it.
It will move out of the way of other applications if you put it between them.
Finally, in Step 3, press and hold to drop the app into the Dock. Doing so will make the program appear under a different name. Keep in mind that the original program is still accessible in the Applications folder.
Use Options to show and retain recent applications in the Dock
You may also add an app to your Dock using the Options menu. This may be done for one in the Dock’s recently used apps area as well as one that is presently in use.
Recently used applications may be shown in their own dedicated space in your Dock, as explained below.
Step 1: Launch System Preferences by selecting the icon in the Dock or the Apple symbol in the menu bar.
Step 2: Select the Dock and menu bar.
Step 3: Make sure Dock & menu bar is chosen on the left, and then tick the option for Show recent apps in Dock on the right.
If you subsequently decide you don’t like this portion of the Dock, just come here and uncheck the box.
Step 4: You will now see this portion of the Dock, which is split by lines to the right of your programs and to the left of your open files and folders. If you are using the vertical view, adjust its location in the Dock appropriately.
Step 5: To keep one of these programs in the Dock going forward, right-click or hold Control and pick it. Then, take your pointer to Options and choose Keep in Dock.
The app then navigates from the recently used app area to the app section on the left.
You may do the same with applications that are presently open in your Dock. Right-click, choose Options, and choose Keep in Dock.
Drag to remove applications from the dock
Removing an app from the Dock is as simple as adding one to it.
Step 1: Choose whatever program you wish to remove from the Dock.
Step 2: Drag it from the Dock to a blank area on your desktop.
Step 3: When you see the word “Remove” appear above the app, release your finger.
This merely removes the app from your Dock. As previously stated, the program on your Dock is merely an alias; deleting it here does not remove it from your Mac.
To remove applications from the Dock, use the Options menu
You may remove a recent app from your Dock in the same way that you added one using the previously stated Options.
Step 1: Right-click or hold Control to choose the program from your Dock.
Step 2: Move your pointer to Options.
Step 3: Deselect the Keep in Dock option.
Having programs you use on a regular basis in your Dock saves you time searching for them in Finder or the Applications folder.
Check out how to utilize multiple desktops for other methods to boost your Mac productivity.
