If you are running macOS Mojave or later, you have noticed the Dock at the bottom carrying a trio of recently used apps on the right alongside the regular apps. The Dock adjusts the recent apps and updates automatically as you launch apps, and it’s quite useful if you want to quickly launch the most used apps on your Mac. But what if you don’t want it?
The recent apps feature was initially seen on the Mojave update and most users are just fine using it. But for some people, it seems the recent apps feature is useless, and removing it will reduce the clutter in the Dock.
Sep 03, 2019 Select the Dock and find the option Show recent applications in Dock. Make sure it is unchecked. Now all of the recent apps will be automatically removed from the Dock. Removing Icons from Dock on OS X Lion and Older Versions. Before you remove an app or document from the Dock, it is best to close it first. Jun 12, 2020 If you are running macOS Mojave or later, you have noticed the Dock at the bottom carrying a trio of recently used apps on the right alongside the regular apps. The Dock adjusts the recent apps.
This new section of the Dock sits between favorite apps and the stack and files. It updates automatically with whatever apps are currently running or to show three recently used applications. You can turn this feature on or off in the System Preferences. Under the Dock menu, check or uncheck the box labeled ‘Show recent applications in Dock’.
The Dock at the bottom of your Mac consists of a total of three apps that changes upon the usage of the apps, how long you use the app, and how frequently you launch it. It could be iTunes, Safari, Google Chrome, Calculator, or any other. But those who prefer not to have the feature for any reason, the recent apps in the Dock can be disabled.
Note: This guide works only for macOS Mojave version 10.14 or later. If you are on any previous macOS versions, this feature won’t not available.
How To Hide Recent Apps On Your Mac

To disable the recent apps in the Dock on Mac, do the following.
- Go to the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen in the menu bar and click on it.
- Click on the System Preferences and choose the Dock.
- Uncheck the box that says Show recent applications in Dock to hide the recent apps in the Dock.
Once you remove the tick from the box, the recent app icons will immediately disappear from the Dock which eventually gives you a room for the Dock to accommodate more apps.
While this disables the recent apps from the Dock, you still can access the recent apps from the menu bar. Click the Apple icon in the corner and select Recent Items which gives you a list of apps that you have recently used on your Mac.
Whether you accidentally open the recent apps or want a cleaner Dock, this trick is for you. If you accidentally open the launchpad and launch the app, here’s how to disable the Launchpad on your Mac. More tips and tricks, guides, and tutorials on Mac and Windows are available, go check them out.
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While still in beta, macOS Mojave has added a new feature that is arguably bad for most of the population. By default, macOS Mojave will now show the three most recently used apps in your dock.
Follow along to learn how to disable this feature…
macOS Mojave: How to hide recent apps in the Dock
- Fire up System Preferences > Dock.
- All the way at the bottom of the pane, untick the box Show recent applications in Dock.
At least it’s an option. Personally, don’t like showing the most recent apps in the Dock, especially if those apps are already in the Dock as macOS isn’t smart enough to hide apps that are already in the Dock.
Macos Mojave Dock Recent Apps 2017
Showing recent apps can also be slightly annoying with Mac notebooks as the Dock can be cramped due to screen real estate.

For more help getting the most out of your Apple devices, check out our how to guide as well as the following articles:
Macos Mojave Dock Recent Apps Free
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