The Dock on your Mac gives you quick access to your favorite and currently running apps. By default, macOS also shows recently used apps and sometimes suggests apps in the Dock to make them easier to access.
While some users find this feature useful, others prefer a cleaner and less cluttered Dock without constantly changing app icons. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to disable suggested and recent apps in Dock on Mac step by step.
Why Disable Suggested and Recent Apps?
There are several reasons why you might want to disable this feature:
- Clutter-Free Workspace: If you like to keep your workspace clean and don’t want unnecessary apps cluttering your Dock, turning this feature off is a great way to do it.
- Privacy: If you’re concerned about privacy, this will prevent others from seeing what apps you’ve recently opened.
- Personalized Dock: You can have more control over what appears in your Dock, ensuring that only the apps you manually add are visible.
How to Disable Suggested and Recent Apps in Dock on Mac
If you’re someone who prefers a clean, clutter-free workspace and doesn’t want recent or suggested apps popping up in the Dock, follow the steps below to disable suggested and recent apps in the Dock on Mac.
To hide these apps, follow these simple steps:
1. Start by clicking the Apple menu (the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen) and select System Settings.
2. Once in the Settings window, scroll down and click Desktop & Dock. This section contains various customization options for how your Mac’s Dock behaves.
3. Scroll down in the Desktop & Dock settings until you see an option called “Show recent and suggested apps in Dock.”
4. Simply toggle this option off by clicking the switch.
Once disabled, the Dock will no longer display recently used apps or apps that are suggested based on your usage. That’s it! You’ve successfully disabled the recent and suggested apps section in the Dock. Your Dock is now tidier and more focused on just the apps you choose to keep there.
If you ever want to re-enable this feature, just follow the same steps and toggle the option back on. Your recent and suggested apps will once again appear in the Dock.
