How to stop Dock icons bouncing on a Mac
2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open System Settings, click Desktop & Dock, and switch off Animate opening applications. Icons then no longer bounce when you open apps.
- Device
- Mac
- Shown on
- macOS Tahoe 26
- App
- System Settings
- Path
- System Settings › Desktop & Dock
- Real screenshots
- 4 of 4 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
When you open an app, its Dock icon bounces until the app is ready. If you find the movement distracting, one switch stops it.
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.
Switch off Animate opening applications
It is in the Dock group. In the picture it is on.
Decide about the dots and recent apps
Show indicators for open applications shows a small dot below the icon of an app that is open. Show suggested and recent apps in Dock adds suggested and recently opened apps toward one end of the Dock.
Good to know
More animation settings: how to reduce motion and animations on a Mac.
In short: System Settings, Desktop & Dock, Animate opening applications off.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.