Master Your Mac Dock: 8 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts You Need to Know

The Dock in macOS is an indispensable tool for users and the system alike. It serves as a daily hub for all Mac enthusiasts, yet many are unaware of the hidden features and keyboard shortcuts that can make working with the Dock even smoother. Here, we reveal eight essential shortcuts that will transform your Dock experience.

Cmd + Option + D – Toggle Dock Visibility

This shortcut is one of my favorites. I prefer to keep the Dock hidden most of the time, but occasionally I need it visible. Instead of diving into settings every time, this quick key combo lets you instantly show or hide the Dock, saving you time and clicks.

Shift + Click on Minimized Window – Slow Motion Application Unminimize

While not necessarily a productivity booster, holding Shift and clicking a minimized app icon in the Dock triggers a slow-motion animation of the window expanding. It's a neat visual trick that works exclusively on minimized windows.

Cmd + Click on an App Icon – Reveal in Finder

If you've launched an application from outside the default Applications folder, this shortcut helps you locate it quickly. Hold Command and click the app icon in the Dock to open a Finder window highlighting the application's location.

Control + Click – Open Contextual Menu

This simple shortcut replaces the right-click functionality on app icons in the Dock, bringing up the contextual menu with options such as quitting or hiding the app.

Option Key in Context Menu – Access Advanced Options

After opening the contextual menu (via Control + Click or right-click), press and hold the Option key. You’ll notice that menu items like “Hide” and “Quit” change to “Hide Others” and “Force Quit,” offering you more control.

Shift + Drag Dock Divider – Quickly Move Dock Position

By holding Shift and dragging the Dock’s divider bar, you can swiftly reposition the Dock to the left or right side of your screen without navigating through system preferences.

Option + Drag Dock Divider – Resize Dock Icons

Hover over the Dock divider, then hold Option and drag up or down to resize Dock icons. The sizes adjust in standard increments: 16x16, 32x32, 64x64, and 128x128 pixels, allowing precise control over the Dock’s appearance.

Drag Files onto Dock Icons – Open with Specific Apps

One of the easiest ways to open files with a particular application is to drag and drop the file onto the app’s icon in the Dock. The file will open in that app immediately, streamlining your workflow.

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