How to Group Mac App Icons More Prominently in Your Dock

[diego]

Is there a way to tag all these great tip posts with something so that we can look at a list of all of them? Or maybe make a subpage for them?

 

[dev.vgp]

Is there a list of all the defaults controlled by this “defaults write” command? I’ve seen this used all the time to set OS-specific values but it seems the available commands are passed down by word of mouth bs a PDF with the possibilities listed.

I suggest you try : "defaults read >> defaultsContent.txt" instead and open the resulting file in a text editor (defaults read, will give you a really long list in the console, I advise you not to use it this way)

For more details : "man defaults" in the console, has you covered

 

[admjhndly]

and using DAY ONE! Oh yeah! Good app.

 

[bkkcanuck8]

What I would like to do is to be able to specify the order apps are in the dock when they are loaded. I would prefer the doc only have a few items and the items that are running -- but I want them always to be in the same order of importance I give them. I tend to launch all my apps using Alfred, so I don't need them there when they are not active.

 

[Bananas Ananas]

Wish there was a way to delete the dock altogether. Not just hide it until hovering mouse in the area.

 

[jroman]

I have been using macs for years but had no dish this was possible. Thanks so much! Easily the most useful article on macrumors in a while.

 

[opeter]

If you want real separator icons, try this:

Download is here:
http://www.artofadambetts.com/weblog/2004/03/dock-dividers/

 

[Jessica Lares]

Wish there was a way to delete the dock altogether. Not just hide it until hovering mouse in the area.

A lot of people just change the autohide delay to 1,000 to do that.

defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 1000 && killall Dock

And one to change the columns and rows of the icons on the launchpad:

defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-columns -int X

Change ‘X’ into the number of icons to be shown in a single row (e.g 9).

defaults write com.apple.dock springboard-rows -int X

Change ‘X’ to the number of rows (e.g 3).

Don’t forget to restart the Dock!

Do these stick after a restart? I remember a few developers were having problems when they were making apps to change the Launchpad when it first came out, but don't know if it's changed any since then?

 

[jagooch]

My problem with these separators is, that they take to much space (like a whole width of an icon).

Here I am I'm trying to make more space for App icons because it's too crowded, while others are inserting blank spaces into the Dock.

How about letting have double-decker Docks, multiple Docks, or a "flyout Dock" where putting you cursor over an icon triggers a set of app icons to fly out? Kinds of like the way that the Windows start button causes its menu to fly out.

 

[opeter]

@jahooch: That is why I am still using my registered version of DragThing.

Or try uBar:
https://brawersoftware.com/products/ubar

 

[cfurlin]

A lot of people just change the autohide delay to 1,000 to do that.

defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 1000 && killall Dock

Do these stick after a restart? I remember a few developers were having problems when they were making apps to change the Launchpad when it first came out, but don't know if it's changed any since then?

I’ve not had to redo them and my machine has been restarted a number of times since I made the change. In fact, I’m pretty sure I changed them during the last version of macOS and even the upgrade didn’t reset them.

 

[8BitFuture]

Is it possible to insert additional lines as separators? Much like the line which currently separates my dock apps with downloads and actively running apps? That would save a lot of space compared to using empty spaces.

I would also like to be able to do this with lines instead of blank spacers. Anyone?

 

[tusharb]

tried this..and got few more spaces than required how to get rid of them? is there a way to reset or delete extra separator?

 

[Ener Ji]

tried this..and got few more spaces than required how to get rid of them? is there a way to reset or delete extra separator?

Can you not drag it off the dock just like an application icon?

 

[tusharb]

Can you not drag it off the dock just like an application icon?

thank you ..

 

[Cereal_Killer]

Here is my collection hope it helps there is a spacer for each side honestly. its in the apple documentation.

(1) Left Side Spacer (Main dock area)​

(Big Spacer)
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add '{tile-data={}; tile-type="spacer-tile";}' killall Dock

(Small Spacer)
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add '{tile-data={}; tile-type="small-spacer-tile";}' killall Dock

(2) Right Side Spacer (area where folders and trashcan is)​

(Big Spacer)
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{tile-data={}; tile-type="spacer-tile";}' killall Dock

(Small Spacer)
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{tile-data={}; tile-type="small-spacer-tile";}' killall Dock

(3) Removing Dock Dividers:​

By Terminal:

defaults delete com.apple.dock persistent-apps defaults delete com.apple.dock persistent-others killall Dock

By Click and Drag

…. Or by simply dragging it off your dock

(4) Additional Secrets for Dock​

Full Articles on how to do even more here:

Unlock the macOS Dock’s Hidden Secrets in Terminal - The Mac Security Blog

Learn some great ways to tweak your Mac's Dock using hidden preferences.

www.intego.com