How to Add Folders to the macOS Dock

Learn how to pin your frequently accessed folders to the macOS Dock for instant file management and faster navigation.

1. Locate the target folder. Open Finder and navigate to the directory you wish to add to your Dock. Ensure this folder is easily accessible in a Finder window.
2. Drag the folder to the Dock. Click and hold the folder icon in your Finder window. Drag the folder downward toward the right side of the Dock, specifically into the section located to the right of the vertical separator line.
3. Adjust view preferences. Right-click (or Control-click) the newly added folder icon in the Dock. From the contextual menu, choose how the folder contents appear under 'View content as' (Fan, Grid, List, or Automatic).
4. Set sorting order. Within the same right-click menu, select 'Sort by' to organize the folder contents by Name, Date Added, Date Modified, or Kind. This ensures the folder behaves predictably when opened from the Dock.
5. Remove the folder if necessary. To remove a folder from the Dock, click and hold the icon, then drag it upward toward the center of your desktop until you see the word 'Remove' appear. Release the mouse button to unpin the folder.