Mac

How to stop Dock icons bouncing on a Mac

Photo of Abu Bakar Saadat

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Published 4 October 2026 · Checked 4 October 2026

Device: MacBook Pro · Software: macOS Tahoe 26

Publisher: Saadat Rafiq

2 min read4 steps

26macOS 26
Screenshot from the guide: How to stop Dock icons bouncing on a Mac

You are viewing the macOS 26 version of this guide, recorded on macOS Tahoe 26 (MacBook Pro) on 4 October 2026. It is kept as it was and not updated. See the macOS 27 version.

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-stop-dock-icons-bouncing-on-a-mac/ · Checked 4 October 2026 · MacBook Pro · macOS Tahoe 26

In this guide
  1. Open System Settings
  2. Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar
  3. Switch off Animate opening applications
  4. Decide about the dots and recent apps
  5. Good to know
  6. Sources
Quick answer

Open System Settings, click Desktop & Dock, and switch off Animate opening applications. Icons then no longer bounce when you open apps.

4 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device
Mac
Shown on
macOS Tahoe 26 (MacBook Pro)
App
System Settings
Real screenshots
4 of 4 steps
Checked
4 October 2026
Sources
1 official, linked below

Step by step

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Steps
Also include
  1. Mac screenshot: Open System Settings
    Tap the picture to see it full size

    Open System Settings

    Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.

  2. Mac screenshot: Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar
    Tap the picture to see it full size

    Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar

    It is below Appearance. You may need to scroll down in the sidebar.

  3. Mac screenshot: Switch off Animate opening applications
    Tap the picture to see it full size

    Switch off Animate opening applications

    It is in the Dock group. In the picture it is on.

  4. Mac screenshot: Decide about the dots and recent apps
    Tap the picture to see it full size

    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.

What we saw on our device

  • Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar: On our MacBook Neo it is below Appearance and was visible without scrolling.
  • Switch off Animate opening applications: On our MacBook Neo it was on; click the switch so it turns grey.
  • Decide about the dots and recent apps: On our MacBook Neo both were on.

About this guide

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.

Good to know

More animation settings: how to reduce motion and animations on a Mac.

In short: Apple menu > System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Animate opening applications off.

Sources

Links checked in October 2026. Menus and features can change after software updates. These steps match the version named at the top.

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