How to Add and Remove Dock Apps on Mac | Digital trends

Much like the taskbar on Windows, the Dock on macOS is your jumping-off point for the apps you use most. In order for you to make better use of this handy tool, we will show you how to add and remove apps from Dock on Mac.

Swipe to add apps to the Dock

The fastest way to add an app to the Dock on Mac is to drag it. You can do this using the application icon on your desktop or in the Applications folder.

To note: Be aware of the section locations mentioned below if your Dock is vertical to the right or left of your screen rather than horizontal.

Step 1: Select the app you want to place in your Dock.

2nd step: Drag it to the Dock and place it where you want it. Just make sure it’s to the left of the separator line for recently used apps (described below) or the files and folders section if you’re not showing recently used apps.

If you place it between other apps, those apps will slide out to make room.

Step 3: Then release to drop the app into the Dock. When you do, it creates an alias of the app. You can still access the original app in the Applications folder.

View and keep recent apps in the Dock using Options

Another way to add an app to your Dock is to use the Options menu. You can do this for one in the recently used apps section of the Dock or for one in use.

You can view recently used apps in your Dock in their own dedicated section, as described below.

Step 1: Open System Preferences using the icon in the Dock or the Apple icon in the menu bar.

2nd step: Select Dock and menu bar.

Step 3: Confirm that Dock and menu bar is selected on the left, then check the box to Show recent apps in the Dock on the right.

If you decide later that you don’t like that section of the Dock, just come back to that same place and uncheck the box.

Step 4: You will then see this section of the Dock separated by lines to the right of your apps and to the left of your open files and folders. Adjust its position in the Dock accordingly if you’re using the vertical view.

Step 5: To continue pushing any of these apps forward in the Dock, right-click or hold Control and select the app. Then move your cursor over Choice and choose Keep in Dock.

The app then moves from the recently used apps section to the apps section on the left.

You can do the same with applications currently in use in your Dock. Right click, move to Choiceand choose Keep in Dock.

Swipe to remove apps from the Dock

Removing an app from the Dock is as easy as adding one.

Step 1: Select the app you want to remove from the Dock.

2nd step: Drag it out of the Dock to an empty spot on your desktop.

Step 3: When you see the “Delete” display above the app, release your finger.

This just removes the app from your Dock. As mentioned, the app in your Dock is just an alias, so deleting it here doesn’t remove it from your Mac.

Remove apps from the Dock using Options

Much like adding a recent app to your Dock using the options discussed earlier, you can remove one.

Step 1: Right click or hold Control and select the app in your Dock.

2nd step: Move your cursor to Choice.

Step 3: Deselect Keep in Dock.

Having those apps you use daily in your Dock saves you time tracking them down in the Finder or Applications folder.

For more ways to improve productivity on your Mac, learn how to use multiple desktops.

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