How to Customize the Finder Sidebar on macOS

Organize your Mac workflow by adding, removing, and reordering items in the Finder sidebar. Streamline your navigation with these precise steps.

1. Open Finder Sidebar Settings. Launch Finder from your Dock. Navigate to the top menu bar, select Finder, and click Settings. Choose the Sidebar tab in the resulting window to view all available system items.
2. Toggle System Items. Within the Sidebar tab, check the boxes next to categories you use regularly, such as Applications, Documents, or iCloud Drive. Uncheck any items that clutter your view to keep the interface minimal.
3. Add Custom Folders to Sidebar. Navigate to the folder you wish to add in a Finder window. Click and drag the folder icon directly into the Favorites section of the sidebar, placing it between existing items.
4. Reorganize Sidebar Items. Click and hold any item within the sidebar. Drag the item vertically to your preferred position and release the mouse button to set the new order.
5. Remove Unwanted Items. Right-click (or Control-click) any item in the sidebar that you no longer require. Select Remove from Sidebar from the context menu to hide it immediately.