The editor used to use a Windows desktop computer, but recently switched to a MacBook for work needs. Although I have adapted to the conversion between systems without problems, the MacBook itself has many functions, and it takes time to study to improve the smoothness of usage. After the screen is turned on, there is a horizontal bar lined up with many applications at the bottom. Do you really understand who it is and what can help you? Next, I’ll take you to understand the Dock and also teach you the simple easy to use settings.
What is Dock?
It’s a small tool that you’ll see on your MacBook desktop for easier access when you use specific apps or functions every day
My Dock looks like this after setup
Take the modified Dock as an example. The area no. 1 is the apps and functions I use often; area no. 2 is the app I use recently; area no. 3 is the trash and shortcuts. the page, it will be placed in This allows you easy access. The editor was listening to Spotify and a small thumbnail of the page will appear when the window is maximized (so small, you can tell which playlist I’m listening to haha)
As for some apps, there is a small black dot underneath, which means that the app is currently in use. Close the app and the black dots will disappear~
How to add or remove apps from the Dock
If you want to add your frequently used applications to the Dock, there are two ways:
1. Go to Finder >> Applications >> Click and drag the program you want to add
2. Find the program you want to move from the launch pad and drag it into it
There are also two ways to remove:
1. Just drag the program you want to remove off the screen and it will disappear by itself
2. Right click on the program you want to remove (if you don’t have a mouse, you can hold control keyboard and click once) >> Options >> Remove from Dock
Editing is dragged directly off the screen. In addition to being faster, there is also a hand-waving sensation to make things invisible (?)
Customize the look of your Dock
If you are a little tired of seeing your Dock always at the bottom and want to move it to the left and right of the screen, or you feel that the Dock blocks your screen too much and you want to shrink or even hide it directly, you need to go to
Top left Apple Menu – System Preferences >> Dock and Menu Bar to change
After clicking the Dock and the menu bar, the left side says “Size” to adjust the size of the Dock; the right side says “Zoom in” it means when the cursor moves over the app, it will zoom in size
Taking the modified Dock as an example, I first adjust the left “size” to minimum, then adjust the right “zoom in” to maximum and check the zoom box
You can see that my Dock used to be very small, but when I moved it, wow, it suddenly became very large. In addition to enjoying this dynamic effect, it’s also easier to find when selecting an app
How to change the position of the Dock
If you want to change the position of the Dock, please find the position on the screen in the image of the Dock and the top menu bar, and you can change it by clicking directly. The image below is to change the position of the Dock Dock left~right )
If you think this replacement method is a bit complicated, there is actually a simpler method, but it can make changes that are not as much as going to the menu. The simple adjustment method is as follows:
Move the cursor to the dividing line in the Dock, you will see the cursor becomes bi-directional, then you can drag to adjust the size of the Dock
If you right-click that dividing line, you’ll see some settings that can be adjusted, such as hiding the Dock, enabling and disabling the maximize function, adjusting the position of the Dock, the dynamic effect of the window while zoom out and the last setting of the Dock preferences
Adjusting the dock when connecting two monitors
Last thing I want to share is, what should I do if the Dock hangs around when you connect dual displays? How to recall it? If your dual screen layout is a left-right layout, place the cursor on the circled position in the picture below for a few seconds and it will appear
So if your dual screen layout is up and down then you need to place the cursor on any circled position
Just as I said in the beginning, the macOS system itself has many functions, and it takes a long time to study it to use it smoothly. I hope this educational article can help you save some time to study, and you can also get a better understanding of yourself computer. Friends of Mac users, remember to try it~
