How to move the Dock to the side of the screen on a Mac
2 min read · 3 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open System Settings, click Desktop & Dock, and set Dock position on screen to Left or Right. The Dock can sit along the left, bottom or right edge of the screen.
- Device
- Mac
- Shown on
- macOS Tahoe 26
- App
- System Settings
- Path
- System Settings › Desktop & Dock
- Real screenshots
- 3 of 3 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
Most screens are wider than they are tall, so the Dock at the bottom takes height that documents and web pages need. At the left or right edge it uses width, of which there is more.
The screenshots show System Settings on macOS Tahoe 26.
Step by step
Open System Settings
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.
Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar
It is below Appearance. You may need to scroll down in the sidebar.
Set Dock position on screen
Click the menu in that row and choose Left, Bottom or Right. In the picture it is set to Bottom.
Good to know
To have it disappear when not in use: how to hide the Dock automatically on a Mac.
In short: System Settings, Desktop & Dock, Dock position on screen.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.