Ask Different (Apple)
Q&A for power users of Apple hardware and software
Latest Questions
2
votes
1
answers
321
views
Why does macOS Monterey not enable cmd/⌘-H "hide" an application when it's the only one that's not hidden?
Hiding the current application with `cmd/⌘-H` does not work when current app is only non-hidden one, but does work when there are other, non-hidden applications. Why? And is there some way to make it work? I just discovered this when upgrading from Catalina to Monterey. I've been using macOS for at...
Hiding the current application with
cmd/⌘-H does not work when current app is only non-hidden one, but does work when there are other, non-hidden applications. Why? And is there some way to make it work?
I just discovered this when upgrading from Catalina to Monterey. I've been using macOS for at least 10 years, and cmd/⌘-H has _always_ hidden the current application, even when said app is the only non-hidden one.
cmd-option-H (which hides all the non-current applications) appears to work just fine.
My OS version running on my MacBook:
$ sw_vers
ProductName: macOS
ProductVersion: 12.6.1
BuildVersion: 21G217
$
Johnny Utahh
(1299 rep)
Nov 20, 2022, 09:51 PM
• Last activity: Aug 2, 2025, 05:59 AM
0
votes
0
answers
31
views
Keystrokes in folder "open" in Dock sometimes "fall through" to application below
I'm running 14.1 on an M2 mini. I have `/Applications` in my dock, and I like to click on the folder icon to open it and type the name of the application I want. I find about half the time, the keystrokes "fall through" to the application below. This can be awkward, if, say for example, I want to op...
I'm running 14.1 on an M2 mini. I have
/Applications in my dock, and I like to click on the folder icon to open it and type the name of the application I want. I find about half the time, the keystrokes "fall through" to the application below.
This can be awkward, if, say for example, I want to open GIMP while Signal is open and threfore click on the /Application icon, type GIMP, press Enter. GIMP will open, but I'll *also* send the message *GIMP* to whoever I happened to be last messaging.
Becca
(259 rep)
Aug 1, 2025, 05:13 PM
• Last activity: Aug 1, 2025, 05:50 PM
490
votes
8
answers
520062
views
Why does my dock keep moving back to my other monitor?
I have a larger, external monitor connected to my MacBook Pro and have arranged it such that the dock is in the external monitor (via System Preferences > Displays > Arrangement, by dragging the white bar to the larger screen). This works fine, except for the fact that every now and then, the dock w...
I have a larger, external monitor connected to my MacBook Pro and have arranged it such that the dock is in the external monitor (via System Preferences > Displays > Arrangement, by dragging the white bar to the larger screen). This works fine, except for the fact that every now and then, the dock will suddenly shift back to my MacBook screen, but when I open up Displays to change this back, the white bar is still on the external monitor. So I have to drag it to the smaller screen, and then drag it back to the external monitor.
It's a minor issue, obviously, but I've noticed that it has been happening more and more frequently and it's getting quite annoying. Perhaps there's something I've been doing unintentionally for this to happen?
I'm using Mavericks, 10.9.5.
3cheesewheel
(5207 rep)
Jan 30, 2015, 01:55 PM
• Last activity: Aug 1, 2025, 05:21 AM
-2
votes
0
answers
16
views
Does the Thunderbolt 5 dock charge attached devices without any Mac attached?
I am wondering if a Thunderbolt 5 dock such as the [*Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station*][1] can charge attached devices (iPhone, iPad, power bank, etc.) without any Mac attached? That would increase the value for me if it did double duty as (a) a Mac dock part-time, plus (b) a high-powered charging st...
I am wondering if a Thunderbolt 5 dock such as the *Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station* can charge attached devices (iPhone, iPad, power bank, etc.) without any Mac attached?
That would increase the value for me if it did double duty as (a) a Mac dock part-time, plus (b) a high-powered charging station full-time.
Basil Bourque
(13982 rep)
Jul 31, 2025, 11:31 PM
1
votes
1
answers
1056
views
Custom dock icon reverts whenever the app is open
I have changed the Dock icon for an app and it shows the new icon only when the app is not open. But as soon as I open it, the old icon comes back. When I close the app, the new icon appears again. I have tried pinning an alias to the Dock, but the same thing happens. It shows correctly in other pla...
I have changed the Dock icon for an app and it shows the new icon only when the app is not open. But as soon as I open it, the old icon comes back. When I close the app, the new icon appears again. I have tried pinning an alias to the Dock, but the same thing happens. It shows correctly in other places, such as Finder and Launchpad.
I have tried the following ways of changing the icon:
- Copied the new image onto the info window.
- Replaced the favicon.icns file in the package contents
- Restarted the Dock and Finder several times
- Cleared the icon cache by executing:
rm /var/folders/*/*/*/com.apple.dock.iconcache;killall Dock
I know the cache has updated because the icon for Pages, which I had uninstalled but hadn't unpinned from the Dock, changed to a question mark.
The app is YouTube to MP3 by MediaHuman.
How do I stop the icon from reverting? I am running macOS Sierra 10.12.6.
Dorianha Bogelund
(21 rep)
Aug 8, 2018, 12:28 PM
• Last activity: Jul 14, 2025, 04:04 PM
2
votes
2
answers
944
views
2020 Macbook Air M1 won't push 3440x1440 through Belkin Dock mini
I'm pushing from my 2020 Macbook Air M1 through a Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock mini that is HDMIed into my 34 inch screen and my display settings are only giving me options for 1920x1080 and 1280x720 when I'm looking to get 3440x1440. Does anyone know whether this is a limitation of the dock or are the...
I'm pushing from my 2020 Macbook Air M1 through a Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Dock mini that is HDMIed into my 34 inch screen and my display settings are only giving me options for 1920x1080 and 1280x720 when I'm looking to get 3440x1440. Does anyone know whether this is a limitation of the dock or are there settings that will enable to push 3440x1440?
Joshua Yoon
(21 rep)
Oct 26, 2022, 06:54 PM
• Last activity: Jul 13, 2025, 05:08 AM
0
votes
2
answers
70
views
How to change a command line options of an app in the dock?
I've installed Emacs and I want to run it with options: ``` emacs -rv --no-splash --debug-init ``` I created a bash script in `~/bin` and run it from terminal then drag the app to the main dock. But when I run the app again the command options are gone. Is there a way to have command line options fo...
I've installed Emacs and I want to run it with options:
emacs -rv --no-splash --debug-init~/bin and run it from terminal then drag the app to the main dock. But when I run the app again the command options are gone.
Is there a way to have command line options for an application in the dock?
jcubic
(105 rep)
Jul 11, 2025, 11:16 AM
• Last activity: Jul 11, 2025, 06:13 PM
7
votes
3
answers
3974
views
Duplicate app icons in the Dock
Sometimes when opening apps I get duplicate icons in the Dock for that app. This isn't really a problem, however I'm curious why macOS does this (I suppose this is more of a technical question). This happens a lot especially with VS Code where I often launch the app with the `code` utility in the Te...
Sometimes when opening apps I get duplicate icons in the Dock for that app. This isn't really a problem, however I'm curious why macOS does this (I suppose this is more of a technical question).
This happens a lot especially with VS Code where I often launch the app with the 
code utility in the Terminal.
Why does macOS think these are different apps when they're the same binary?
Decade Moon
(321 rep)
Feb 24, 2021, 12:02 AM
• Last activity: Jul 10, 2025, 04:50 AM
3
votes
2
answers
383
views
Moving an icon on the dock triggers "Keep in Dock", any way to prevent this?
If you `'right click' an icon on the dock > hover 'Options' > un-check "Keep in Dock"` and proceed to `drag the icon to move it`, what happens is the "Keep in Dock" option becomes checked once again. This is annoying because I do not want closed applications to be on my dock, yet I want to be able t...
If you
'right click' an icon on the dock > hover 'Options' > un-check "Keep in Dock" and proceed to drag the icon to move it, what happens is the "Keep in Dock" option becomes checked once again.
This is annoying because I do not want closed applications to be on my dock, yet I want to be able to organize my dock when application are open.
The issue was briefly mentioned in the comment section of this thread with no apparent solution.
Is it possible to disable this behavior?
Chen W
(139 rep)
Mar 19, 2021, 07:48 PM
• Last activity: Jul 8, 2025, 10:06 AM
0
votes
0
answers
18
views
Stop the dock moving between monitors on macOS - authohide-delay not working
I know I’m not the first person to ask how to stop the dock from jumping between monitors, though Apple doesn’t seem to realise that it’s a popular request. Most of the usual suggestions aren’t really practical for me, but there is one tweak which is supposed to work: ```sh defaults write com.apple....
I know I’m not the first person to ask how to stop the dock from jumping between monitors, though Apple doesn’t seem to realise that it’s a popular request.
Most of the usual suggestions aren’t really practical for me, but there is one tweak which is supposed to work:
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 9999999; killall Dockkillall Dock should be enough), and it still doesn’t help.
Both my Mac Mini and Macbook Air run the same macOS: Sequoia 15.5. They also have the same settings for Auto-Hide in the control panel. The only thing I can think of is that I applied the setting on the Mac Mini before the Sequoia update, but I can’t see why it should still be working if I can’t use it in a later version, so I don’t think that’s it.
I know there are many questions related to this but (a) they’re old(ish) and (b) the ones that answer the question seem to settle on the autohide-delay setting.
Has something changed, or is there another setting I should apply to at least delay switching the dock to another monitor?
Manngo
(3713 rep)
Jul 5, 2025, 08:26 AM
9
votes
2
answers
53522
views
The dot icon on the dock stays despite I have closed the app
As the title clearly describes, the dot icon stays on dock for some apps such as `VS Code`, `Terminal`, `Safari`, and `Finder` despite I have closed the app. I am using `Catalina 10.15.1`. I have to manually `right click` those apps and select `Quit` in order to remove the dots on the dock.
As the title clearly describes, the dot icon stays on dock for some apps such as
VS Code, Terminal, Safari, and Finder despite I have closed the app. I am using Catalina 10.15.1. I have to manually right click those apps and select Quit in order to remove the dots on the dock.
talha06
(345 rep)
Nov 29, 2019, 08:02 PM
• Last activity: Jul 1, 2025, 08:25 PM
2
votes
1
answers
4409
views
Is there any way to prevent the Dock from jumping to another display when I reach the bottom of the screen?
When your mouse reaches the bottom of the screen then try to drag it a little bit lower, macOS automatically moves the Dock to that display. I trigger this unintentionally a few times a day, so I want to turn it off to keep the Dock on my main display. Is there a way for that? I am not open for atta...
When your mouse reaches the bottom of the screen then try to drag it a little bit lower, macOS automatically moves the Dock to that display. I trigger this unintentionally a few times a day, so I want to turn it off to keep the Dock on my main display. Is there a way for that?
I am not open for attaching the Dock to the side of the screen.
gklka
(2010 rep)
Mar 1, 2022, 07:59 AM
• Last activity: Jun 27, 2025, 06:28 PM
0
votes
0
answers
23
views
Connecting two monitors to M1 Macbook through J5Create docking hub
I've got a 2020 macbook pro m1, and two external monitors that I would like to connect. One of the monitor only supports DP connection, and is already connected to my laptop through a direct type-c to DP cable. I bought a J5Create triple monitor docking hub that has the driver to enable macbook to s...
I've got a 2020 macbook pro m1, and two external monitors that I would like to connect. One of the monitor only supports DP connection, and is already connected to my laptop through a direct type-c to DP cable.
I bought a J5Create triple monitor docking hub that has the driver to enable macbook to support a display through usb, which should overcome the one-external display limitation. I believe the standard is just to connect both monitors to the docking station and the docking station to the computer.
However, because of the way I've set up everything, I'm wondering if I could connect only one of the monitor through the docking hub and the other monitor directly through the cable. It is my belief that since the docking hub allows my macbook to stream to a display using usb because it renders the video on its own, the computer should not recognize this as a screen, and the setup should work.
But currently I'm not being able to connect to both of the monitors, and was wondering if this was the reason. I'm also open to other suggestions. Thank you.
enkhtushig enkhbat
(1 rep)
Jun 24, 2025, 09:00 PM
8
votes
1
answers
997
views
Hide dock notification badges with Do Not Disturb enabled in macOS
I remember in previous versions of macOS whenever DND mode was enabled the app icon badges in the dock would be disabled. This makes sense as I do not want to be disturbed by my "unread" count judging me. Since I updated to Big Sur this feature is gone. A google search comes out empty, with only an...
I remember in previous versions of macOS whenever DND mode was enabled the app icon badges in the dock would be disabled. This makes sense as I do not want to be disturbed by my "unread" count judging me.
Since I updated to Big Sur this feature is gone. A google search comes out empty, with only an app by an independent developer as the solution, but the app's website is gone.
Thank you for your suggestions.
sadok
(81 rep)
Oct 21, 2021, 10:59 AM
• Last activity: Jun 23, 2025, 04:09 PM
0
votes
1
answers
320
views
Is there a way to identify which windows/apps are open on which monitor?
I have a Macbook with 2 external monitors attached and my Mission Control setup for Displays to have separate spaces. [![enter image description here][1]][1] Having recently switched over from Windows 10, one thing I miss significantly is the ability to quickly identify at a glance which app/window...
I have a Macbook with 2 external monitors attached and my Mission Control setup for Displays to have separate spaces.
Having recently switched over from Windows 10, one thing I miss significantly is the ability to quickly identify at a glance which app/window is present on which monitor. In Windows 10, I can configure the taskbar such that it shows only the windows that are present on the given screen. This allows me to quickly identify which app is open where.
I've been looking for a tool or a configuration in MacOS 12+ that allows me to do the same, but I can't seem to find anything.
Is there a setting that I haven't been able to find or a utility that I can add to present this information? With the Dock only visible on a single monitor at a time, I would be happy to have some other visual indicator to allow me to quickly find my window.
Having recently switched over from Windows 10, one thing I miss significantly is the ability to quickly identify at a glance which app/window is present on which monitor. In Windows 10, I can configure the taskbar such that it shows only the windows that are present on the given screen. This allows me to quickly identify which app is open where.
I've been looking for a tool or a configuration in MacOS 12+ that allows me to do the same, but I can't seem to find anything.
Is there a setting that I haven't been able to find or a utility that I can add to present this information? With the Dock only visible on a single monitor at a time, I would be happy to have some other visual indicator to allow me to quickly find my window.
Eric B.
(153 rep)
Feb 3, 2022, 04:19 PM
• Last activity: Jun 19, 2025, 12:08 AM
3
votes
3
answers
3512
views
Windows Dissapear in Mission Control (Mac OS Catalina 10.15.5)
Windows will shrink/reduce to nothing while using the Mission Control feature. This applies to both the button and the three finger gesture. No other workspaces are open, and I have attempted to both restart the system and the dock, to no success. ```defaults read com.apple.dock``` only shows that `...
Windows will shrink/reduce to nothing while using the Mission Control feature. This applies to both the button and the three finger gesture. No other workspaces are open, and I have attempted to both restart the system and the dock, to no success.
read com.apple.dock
Vili
(345 rep)
Jul 3, 2020, 09:05 AM
• Last activity: Jun 14, 2025, 11:46 PM
3
votes
1
answers
2291
views
How to switch / share peripherals between two MacBooks
I want to switch between my work computer (2019 MacBook Pro) and home computer (2017 MacBook Air) and use the same peripherals and connections: - USB mouse - USB keyboard - Monitor - Ethernet (optional) - Charger (optional) Is there a dock or charging station that would allow me to switch between th...
I want to switch between my work computer (2019 MacBook Pro) and home computer (2017 MacBook Air) and use the same peripherals and connections:
- USB mouse
- USB keyboard
- Monitor
- Ethernet (optional)
- Charger (optional)
Is there a dock or charging station that would allow me to switch between these?
Based on an older [question](https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/265917/using-a-usb-c-dock-with-older-macbook-pros) , it seems that trying to use the Thunderbolt 2 connection for the MacBook Air would not work, but would a USB connection work?
thern
(31 rep)
Aug 24, 2021, 10:38 PM
• Last activity: Jun 8, 2025, 09:06 PM
1
votes
1
answers
101
views
How to disable Dock icons for opened images and apps?
How can I prevent this on MacOS Sequoia 15.5?: Every program and image I open leaves an icon in the Dock, and they keep piling up. I heard I can press `Cmd`+`Q` to close image icons, but that doesn’t work for regular apps. I mean the right side in this image : (The 7 icons here, that I don't want, t...
How can I prevent this on MacOS Sequoia 15.5?:
Every program and image I open leaves an icon in the Dock,
and they keep piling up.
I heard I can press
(The 7 icons here, that I don't want, the right side of the seperator)
I am fine with everything to the left of the divider.
Is there a way to disable this behavior on the right side of the bar and/or minimize having open documents changing the dock by adding thumbnails?
Cmd+Q to close image icons,
but that doesn’t work for regular apps.
I mean the right side in this image :
(The 7 icons here, that I don't want, the right side of the seperator)
I am fine with everything to the left of the divider.
Is there a way to disable this behavior on the right side of the bar and/or minimize having open documents changing the dock by adding thumbnails?
Bengi Besceli
(231 rep)
Jun 2, 2025, 03:00 PM
• Last activity: Jun 3, 2025, 11:12 AM
7
votes
2
answers
12567
views
How can I hide an app from the dock while keeping it in the menu bar?
There's a messaging app I often use that includes both a menu bar icon (to hide/show the window, as well as indicate how many unread messages there are) as well as the app itself which resides in the dock/launchpad. I want to know if there's a way to hide the app from my dock when the app is running...
There's a messaging app I often use that includes both a menu bar icon (to hide/show the window, as well as indicate how many unread messages there are) as well as the app itself which resides in the dock/launchpad.
I want to know if there's a way to hide the app from my dock when the app is running so that I can simply use the menu bar to see if I have any new messages and thus save dock space. I know that this is possible as some of my other apps already do this (e.g. LastPass for Mac ), but is there a way to do this manually, e.g. through the Terminal? I am currently on MacOS Catalina Beta (although I assume the solution should also work for earlier versions too).
Young
(188 rep)
Jul 29, 2019, 06:18 AM
• Last activity: Jun 2, 2025, 04:50 PM
0
votes
1
answers
251
views
Why does moving my mouse pointer towards the Dock often move it to other monitor?
I'm not talking about summoning the Dock--I know how that works--what I'm describing is essentially the opposite. I don't know why it happens, but it happens about 20% of the time I move my pointer towards to Dock, the Dock will just move to other monitor. It's annoying enough I can't keep the Dock...
I'm not talking about summoning the Dock--I know how that works--what I'm describing is essentially the opposite. I don't know why it happens, but it happens about 20% of the time I move my pointer towards to Dock, the Dock will just move to other monitor.
It's annoying enough I can't keep the Dock on one screen and still have spaces, but this just defies logic. I don't know whats causing it, if there is an obscure gesture I am accidentally doing which triggers it or if its just a glitch. It happens on both my MacBook Pro with external monitor and an iMac with external monitor.
whatevers
(1 rep)
Jul 8, 2021, 12:33 PM
• Last activity: May 28, 2025, 10:07 AM
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