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Hide the Recent Apps Section of the macOS Dock

Turn off show-recents so the Dock no longer reserves a row for recently used apps.

macOSdockmacosdefaultsMedium risk
Run `defaults write com.apple.dock show-recents -bool false && killall Dock`.

01Command

Command
$ defaults write com.apple.dock show-recents -bool false && killall Dock

02What it does

Since Big Sur the Dock reserves space for three recently used apps (or apps from Stage Manager), which many users find redundant next to Spotlight and Launchpad. The show-recents boolean mirrors the System Settings > Desktop & Dock checkbox, so writing false removes the section and the remaining Dock icons re-center. killall Dock applies it instantly, and flipping the key back to true restores the section.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk

04Undo

Undo
$ defaults write com.apple.dock show-recents -bool true && killall Dock

05Sources

  • macOS defaults - read, write and delete macOS user defaults
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents `defaults write domain key -bool value` for boolean preference keys in the com.apple.dock domain, and killing the Dock (killall Dock) so preference changes take effect.
  • macOS setup dotfiles (.macos)
    mathiasbynens/dotfiles (GitHub) · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Contains 'defaults write com.apple.dock show-recents -bool false' with a comment about hiding the recent apps section of the Dock.

Last verified: 2026-09-19 · Category: System & Settings

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