The Dock is one of the most iconic features of the Apple ecosystem. By default, it sits prominently at the bottom of your Mac’s screen, providing immediate access to your favourite applications, minimized windows, and the Bin. However, if you are working on a MacBook with a smaller display, that permanent strip of icons consumes valuable screen real estate. Learning how to hide the Dock on your Mac is a simple configuration change that instantly expands your workspace, allowing you to focus entirely on your active applications.
In this quick customisation guide, we will demonstrate the fastest methods for automatically hiding the Dock and moving it to a different edge of your screen.
Method 1: Use a Keyboard Shortcut (The Fastest Way)
If you prefer to toggle the Dock on and off depending on your current workflow, memorising this system-wide keyboard shortcut is the most efficient approach.
- Ensure you are looking at your desktop or have an application open.
- Press and hold the following three keys simultaneously: Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + D.
- The Dock will immediately slide off the bottom of the screen.
- To view the Dock again, simply move your mouse cursor all the way to the bottom edge of the display. The Dock will slide up temporarily and disappear as soon as you move your mouse away.
- If you want to permanently pin the Dock back to the screen, press Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + D again.
Method 2: Use System Settings for More Control
If you want to permanently enable the auto-hide feature and perhaps customise the size or position of the Dock, you should use the macOS System Settings interface.
- Click the Apple logo () in the top-left corner of your menu bar.
- Select System Settings… from the drop-down list.
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on Desktop & Dock.
- Look for the toggle switch labelled Automatically hide and show the Dock. Click the switch to turn it on (it will turn blue).
Your Dock will now disappear until you hover your cursor over the edge of the screen where it is positioned.
How to Move the Dock to the Side of the Screen
Modern widescreen monitors offer significantly more horizontal space than vertical space. Therefore, many power users prefer to move the Dock to the side of the screen rather than hiding it completely.
- Return to the Desktop & Dock menu in System Settings.
- Look for the setting titled Position on screen.
- Click the drop-down menu (which defaults to “Bottom”) and select either Left or Right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my hidden Dock not appearing when I hover?
If your Dock refuses to slide up, your Mac might be experiencing a minor software glitch. You can force the Dock to restart by opening the Terminal application (found in Applications > Utilities) and typing the command killall Dock, then pressing Enter. Your screen will flash briefly, and the Dock will reset its behaviour.
By taking a few seconds to configure these display settings, you can completely customise your Mac to suit your personal working style and maximise your available screen space.
