How to Customize the Mac Dock

Learn to manage your Mac Dock by adjusting size, hiding apps, removing icons, and managing magnification to reclaim your workspace efficiency.

1. Configure Dock settings. Open System Settings from the Apple menu and select Desktop & Dock. Use the sliders to adjust the size of the Dock and modify the magnification level for when you hover over icons.
2. Remove unwanted applications. Click and hold the icon of the application you wish to remove. Drag the icon vertically away from the Dock until the word Remove appears, then release the mouse button.
3. Pin new applications. Open the Finder, navigate to your Applications folder, and locate the desired program. Click and drag the application icon into the Dock, placing it at your preferred position.
4. Create a stack for files. Drag any folder from the Finder to the right side of the Dock, near the Trash bin. Right-click the folder icon to change its view format to Grid, List, or Fan to browse contents quickly.
5. Enable automatic hiding. Return to System Settings > Desktop & Dock. Toggle the switch for Automatically hide and show the Dock to On. This creates more screen real estate for your active application windows.