Go to Apple menu → System Settings → Desktop & Dock. In the Dock section, set Position on screen to Left, Bottom, or Right. The Dock changes position immediately. Apple documents these three positions in its Mac User Guide.
Change the Dock position in System Settings
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner.
- Choose System Settings.
- Select Desktop & Dock in the sidebar. Scroll down if needed.
- In the Dock section, locate Position on screen (the wording can vary slightly by macOS release or language).
- Choose Left, Bottom, or Right.
The change takes effect without restarting your Mac.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What each Dock position does
| Choice | Result | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Left | A vertical Dock along the left edge | You want more vertical room for documents, web pages, or spreadsheets |
| Bottom | The conventional horizontal Dock | You prefer the default layout or have ample vertical space |
| Right | A vertical Dock along the right edge | The right side fits your workflow or screen arrangement better |
Left and right can conserve vertical space, but they use some horizontal space and may make content near that edge feel tighter. These are usability considerations, not performance differences specified by Apple.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesHow to move the Dock to the left
Open → System Settings → Desktop & Dock, then select Left under Position on screen. The Dock becomes a vertical bar on the left edge.
#1 Best Overall
- 2026 Upgraded 4-in-1 Hard Drive Reader: The upgraded 4 in 1 nvme usb adapter is capable of reading IDE, SATA, and M.2 hard drives at the same time. It features data retrieval, and data transfer capabilities
- Upgraded Design: The nvme dock now comes with a new 4-pin power cable for old IDE hard drives. This cable is softer and flexible. The connection to the IDE hard drive is also improved in terms of distance, making it easier to use
- Interface for 10Gbps M.2: SSD adapter supports ultra-fast transfer speed up to 10Gbps, its compatible with the NVMe protocol for M Key/SATA protocol for B+M Key, but not supports B Key/mSATA. Additionally, its open design is compatible with any size of M.2
- Dual Interfaces for 2.5‘’IDE and 3.5‘’IDE: The ide to usb adapter read/write speeds of 100MB/s. 3.5-inch IDE HDD need connect a 4-pin power cable, and dual ide are need to link external power adapter
- Interface for 2.5‘’SATA or 3.5‘’SATA: With the power supply of the hard drive reader, the transfer speed of the SATA interface can reach 5Gbps, and HDD and internal Blu-ray Drive need to link external power adapter
How to move the Dock to the right
Use the same path and choose Right. The Dock moves to the right edge and remains vertical.
How to put the Dock back at the bottom
Select Bottom in the Position on screen menu. This restores the standard macOS arrangement.
Rank #2
- 【Ultra 13-in-1】The iVANKY Docking Station for Mac Mini M4 features 13 functional ports to maximize your work efficiency, including: 4K@144Hz HDMI, 10 Gbps USB-A×1 & 10 Gbps USB-C×1, 5 Gbps USB-A×1 & 5 Gbps USB-C×1, USB-A 2.0×3, SD/TF 3.0×1, Dual Audio Ports, and an M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure (10 Gbps) supporting both NVMe and SATA M.2 SSDs.
- 【Enhanced Storage Capacity】 The iVANKY Docking Station supports drives up to 8TB in capacity and fits virtually all standard M.2 SSD form factors (2230/2242/2260/2280), delivering lightning-fast data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps. Please note: SSD is not included. Making it an exceptional choice for your home office setup and creative content production, especially for OpenClaw, for Clawdbot, and for Moltbot users looking to leverage the latest trends for Mac Mini M4.
- 【Smooth 4K@144Hz Visual Experience】 Engineered for professionals and creators alike, this docking station delivers crisp 4K @144Hz refresh rate via its HDMI interface. Whether you’re editing high-resolution footage, designing graphics, hosting client presentations, or diving into fast-paced gaming sessions, enjoy buttery-smooth motion and razor-sharp detail. Perfect for multitaskers—split your workflow across dual displays by connecting the dock’s HDMI port to your Mac’s Thunderbolt port, transforming your setup into a productivity powerhouse. Note：Certain high-refresh-rate monitors need Game Mode/Signal Enhancement Mode enabled.
- 【10Gbps Data Fast-transfer】Unleash lightning speeds with dedicated 10Gbps USB-A and 10Gbps USB-C ports—perfect for high-performance drives, rapid HDD access, and demanding peripherals . Simultaneously connect daily accessories (keyboards, mice) through three reliable 5Gbps USB-A ports. Work faster, wait less. (Note: Actual transfer speed is affected by whether your host device is a high-speed device. In addition, using multiple functional ports (USB/SD/TF, etc.) simultaneously will also impact the product's transfer speed. This is a normal phenomenon. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.)
- 【Sufficient Power Supply】iVANKY 13-in-1 Dock comes equipped with a 20W PD power adapter. When connecting multiple high-power devices—such as external hard drives or charging peripherals—using this external power adapter ensures significantly improved power stability. It completely eliminates issues caused by insufficient power supply, keeping your devices running worry-free.
Can you put the Dock at the top?
Not with Apple’s standard Dock settings. The documented choices are only Left, Bottom, and Right; there is no normal built-in Top option. This limitation is described in Apple’s Dock settings guide. Third-party customization tools may behave differently, but they are outside macOS’s supported Dock controls.
If the Dock seems to have disappeared
The Dock may be hidden rather than moved.
- Move the pointer to the edge you selected: the bottom, left, or right edge.
- Open System Settings → Desktop & Dock and check Automatically hide and show the Dock.
- If the Dock is set to the left or right, moving the pointer to the bottom will not reveal it.
Apple documents the automatic hide/show setting and edge behavior in its Mac User Guide.
Rank #3
- EXPAND 8 PORTS FOR YOUR MAC MINI - ***DO NOT compatible with Mac Mini M4 2024. The Mac Mini Dock features a 10Gbps USB C data port & USB-A data port, 2 x USB-A 2.0 data ports (480Mbps), Micro/SD Card Readers (104 Mbps), a 3.5mm audio/mic jack, an up to 2TB M.2 SSD slot for convenient access to the essential peripherals and external memory expansion. Equipped with a 40cm non-detachable TPE cable (USB-C Male/up to 10Gbps) to connect and expend your Mac Mini M1/M2. NOTE: 1). ALL ports DO NOT support video and charging; 2). All USB-A ports do not support CD readers, Apple SuperDrive.
- UP TO 2TB M.2 SSD ENCLOSURE - Our Mac Mini Hub supports up to 10Gbps M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD expansion. The SSD enclosure of the Mac Mini dock is compatible with NVMe protocol (B+M Key/ M Key) SSDs in sizes of 2230/2242/2260/2280 and up to 2TB expansion. *NOTE: 1). SSD NOT Included. 2). DOES NOT support SATA SSDs
- HIGH-SPEED TRANSMISSION - The high-speed USB C & USB-A data ports deliver up to 10Gb/s, allowing you to transfer large files in seconds. 2 x USB-A ports (480Mbps) to provide more connectivity options such as USB flash drives, keyboards, mouse, tablets, printers and more. *NOTE: ALL USB C/A ports ONLY support data transfer, DO NOT support video and charging.
- VERTICAL MAC MINI HUB STAND - Both a Mac Mini stand and USB-C Mac Mini hub, vertical stand design allows you to place your Mac Mini horizontally or vertically on the desk, achieving good heat dissipation and keeping your desktop tidy. Silicone barrier strips on both sides also make it as good iPad stands, phone stands.
- WIDE COMPATIBILITY: Finished with silver aluminum alloy shell, making the UBC-C hub feel like a natural extension of your Mac Mini. The Mac mini USB hub is compatible with Mac mini 2018 /2020 Mac mini M1/2023 Mac mini M2 or M2 Pro). ***DO NOT compatible with Mac Mini M4 2024
When the Dock appears on another monitor
Changing the Dock’s edge position is different from choosing which display shows it. On a multi-monitor Mac, moving the pointer to the bottom edge of another display can cause the Dock to appear there, particularly when the Dock is positioned at the bottom. Apple Support Community reports describe this behavior, but they are user-support discussions rather than a formal guarantee of how every display arrangement behaves.
For a configuration in which the Dock keeps appearing on an unexpected display, try this possible workaround:
Rank #4
- MULTI-DEVICE VERTICAL STORAGE — Hold multiple compact desktop computers in a single upright formation. Each unit slides into its own dedicated slot, keeping devices organized and easily accessible for maintenance or swapping.
- INTERLOCKING MODULAR DESIGN — Individual slots connect to form a stable unified structure. Add or remove sections as your setup evolves, scaling from two units to a full cluster without additional hardware or tools needed.
- BUILT WITH DURABLE ABS — Engineered from sturdy ABS for long-lasting rigidity and impact resistance. Solid construction supports each computer's full weight without flexing, warping, or sliding on your desk surface.
- ENHANCED AIRFLOW CIRCULATION — Vertical orientation promotes natural convection cooling around each device, reducing thermal throttling during intensive tasks. Open-sided slot design allows unobstructed ventilation on all sides.
- CLEAN DESK ORGANIZATION — Reclaim valuable desk real estate by positioning devices vertically instead of flat. Ideal for home offices, media server setups, creative studios, and IT environments running multiple units side by side.
- Open System Settings → Desktop & Dock.
- Scroll to the Mission Control section.
- Consider turning off Displays have separate Spaces.
- Log out and back in if macOS does not apply the change immediately.
- Set the Dock position again.
Turning off separate Spaces changes how desktops and full-screen apps work across displays, so it is a trade-off rather than a universal fix. The configuration-dependent behavior and this workaround are discussed in Apple Support Community thread 253575290 and thread 256062112. Setting the Dock to the left or right may help associate it with one display in some arrangements, but it is not guaranteed.
Using an older macOS version
Older releases use a different name for the settings app. Try Apple menu → System Preferences → Dock & Menu Bar → Position on screen, then choose Left, Bottom, or Right. Keep the current System Settings → Desktop & Dock path above for newer macOS versions; labels and layout vary by release.
Best Value
- INSTALLS DOCK HARDWARE IN HALF THE TIME - Stop wrestling with a manual wrench on floating dock sections. This socket adapter drives 15/16" coupler nuts with any power drill or impact driver, turning a tedious job into a quick, low-fatigue task.
- UNIVERSAL DRILL AND IMPACT DRIVER COMPATIBILITY - The standard hex shank fits virtually any cordless or corded drill, impact driver, or socket wrench, so you can use the tools you already own without buying specialty equipment or adapters.
- 2-PACK VALUE FOR MULTI-DOCK OR TEAM INSTALLATIONS - Two adapters mean you can keep one at each end of a long dock run, hand one to a coworker, or stash a backup so a lost or dropped socket never stops your project mid-installation.
- BUILT FOR REPEATED DOCK SEASON USE - Constructed to handle the torque demands of dock coupler nuts season after season. Corrosion-resistant materials stand up to the wet, humid lakeside and marina environments where dock work actually happens.
- EASY STORAGE AND MAINTENANCE - Compact enough to toss in a toolbox, tackle bag, or dock hardware kit between seasons. Wipe clean after use; no special maintenance required. Pair with your existing socket set for a complete dock installation toolkit.
Why the position control may be unavailable
A Mac supplied by an employer or school can have a configuration profile that controls the Dock. Apple’s device-management schema includes an orientation value of bottom, left, or right, plus a position-immutable control that can prevent users from changing it. See Apple’s Dock device-management documentation and Dock payload settings.
- If the menu is disabled, missing, or reverts after you change it, contact your organization’s IT administrator.
- Do not try to bypass a management profile; the restriction may be intentional policy.
- If the Mac is not managed, recheck that you are in Desktop & Dock, confirm whether the Dock is hidden, and consider whether another monitor is taking focus.
What not to rely on
Some online guides recommend Terminal commands such as defaults write com.apple.dock orientation .... Apple’s documented method is the graphical setting in System Settings → Desktop & Dock; an undocumented command can vary between macOS releases and should not be treated as the supported primary solution.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
