By default, macOS reserves a specific section on the right side of your Dock (just before the Trash can and your minimized folders) to display up to three of your most recently used applications. While Apple intended this feature to make multitasking faster by keeping active apps readily accessible, many users find it highly annoying. It clutters the Dock, constantly changes its layout, and can take up valuable screen real estate.
If you prefer a clean, static Dock that only displays the applications you have intentionally pinned to it, you can easily disable the “Recent Applications” feature in the system settings.
This guide explains how to stop your Mac from showing recently used apps in the Dock.
How to Hide Recent Applications in the Dock
Disabling this feature only takes a few clicks and takes effect immediately without requiring a restart.
- Click the Apple Logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select System Settings from the drop-down menu (if you are running macOS Monterey or older, this will be called System Preferences).
- In the left sidebar of the Settings window, scroll down and click on Desktop & Dock (or just “Dock & Menu Bar” in older versions).
- In the main window, look for the section pertaining to the Dock.
- Find the toggle switch labeled “Show recent applications in Dock.”
- Click the toggle switch to turn it Off (the switch will turn grey).
The moment you flip the switch, the divider line and the recently used apps on the right side of your Dock will vanish, leaving only the apps you have permanently kept there.
How to Manually Remove an App from the Dock
Even with the recent apps feature disabled, you might occasionally find an open application sitting in your Dock that you do not want to stay there permanently after you close it.
If an app is pinned to your Dock and you want to remove it:
- Right-click (or hold the Control key and click) on the application icon in the Dock.
- Hover your mouse over Options.
- Click on Remove from Dock. (If the app is currently running, you will need to uncheck Keep in Dock instead).
Alternatively, the fastest way to remove a pinned app is to simply click and hold its icon, drag it up toward the middle of your desktop until you see the word “Remove” appear above the icon, and then release your mouse button.