Using ExtraDock as a Dock Replacement#

ExtraDock can fully replace the native macOS Dock. Here's how to set it up and which features cover what the built-in Dock does.

Hiding the native Dock#

Open Settings (⚙) → General → toggle Hide native macOS Dock.

ExtraDock suppresses the built-in Dock while the app is running. Turn this off anytime to restore your previous Dock behavior.

Matching native Dock features#

Launching apps

Drag apps into any dock or use Add Item in the Items tab. See Adding Apps, Folders & Files.

Running indicators

A dot appears on each running app's icon, just like the native Dock. See Running App Indicators.

Notification badges

Red badge counts appear on app icons for unread notifications. See Notification Settings.

Drag and drop

Drag files onto app icons to open them with that app. See Drag & Drop onto Items.

Folders and files

Add folders or files to a dock for quick access. Folders can show labels, use tint colors, and open with Finder or another app. See Folder & File Display.

Trash

Add the Trash widget to any dock for drag-to-trash and empty-trash functionality.

Finder access

Add the Finder widget to open Finder windows from the dock.

App actions

Right-click any app icon to quit, hide, or reveal it in Finder. See App Actions.

Tracking running apps with Live Dock#

The Live Dock widget can show running apps or mirror your native macOS Dock.

Live Dock has two modes:

• Running Apps — Shows apps that are currently running
• Full Dock — Mirrors the native macOS Dock contents

For a full replacement workflow, Running Apps mode works well alongside a primary dock of pinned apps. You get one dock for launching and one dock for managing what's currently open.

Knowing what's in your current Space#

The Space Awareness widget shows apps with windows in the current macOS Space.

This is useful when you use several Spaces for different tasks and want to see what belongs to the desktop you're currently using.

App Previews#

App Previews show open windows when you hover over running app icons. They can make ExtraDock feel more like a window switcher, especially when the native Dock is hidden.

Automation#

Use Hotkeys for direct keyboard access to docks.

Use macOS Shortcuts & Focus to show, hide, or toggle docks from macOS Shortcuts or Focus modes.

Going beyond the native Dock#

Once you've replaced the built-in Dock, ExtraDock opens up more features macOS doesn't offer:

• Multiple docks — Separate docks for different workflows or screens (Creating & Managing Docks)
• Multi-monitor — Assign docks to specific displays (Multi-Monitor)
• Widgets — Clock, IP address, Folder Stack, Shelf, Stripe Balance, and more (Widgets)
• Collapse mode — Minimize a dock to a single button (Collapse Mode)
• Custom icons — Replace app, folder, file, and widget icons (Custom Icons)
• Visual effects — Snow, Rays, and fireworks overlays (Effects)
• Vertical docks — Rotate any dock to vertical orientation (Orientation)
• Import / Export — Back up, restore, or share layouts (Import / Export)

Recommended setup#

A minimal replacement setup:

1. Create a primary dock and pin it to the bottom edge — add your most-used apps (Fixed Mode, Adding Apps, Folders & Files)
2. Add the Trash and Finder widgets (Trash Widget, Finder Widget)
3. Create a second dock with Live Dock set to Running Apps (Live Dock)
4. Enable notification badges (Notification Settings)
5. Optional: enable App Previews (App Previews)
6. Hide the native Dock (General Settings)

From there, add more docks, widgets, hotkeys, or Space Awareness as you see fit.