How to Add Folders to the macOS Dock

Step by step

1. 15 sec

   Locate the target folder

   Open Finder and navigate to the directory you wish to add to your Dock. Ensure this folder is easily accessible in a Finder window.

2. 30 sec

   Drag the folder to the Dock

   Click and hold the folder icon in your Finder window. Drag the folder downward toward the right side of the Dock, specifically into the section located to the right of the vertical separator line.

   Note: The Dock will automatically expand to create space for the new item.
3. 45 sec

   Adjust view preferences

   Right-click (or Control-click) the newly added folder icon in the Dock. From the contextual menu, choose how the folder contents appear under 'View content as' (Fan, Grid, List, or Automatic).

   Note: Grid view is recommended for folders containing a large number of files.
4. 30 sec

   Set sorting order

   Within the same right-click menu, select 'Sort by' to organize the folder contents by Name, Date Added, Date Modified, or Kind. This ensures the folder behaves predictably when opened from the Dock.

5. 15 sec

   Remove the folder if necessary

   To remove a folder from the Dock, click and hold the icon, then drag it upward toward the center of your desktop until you see the word 'Remove' appear. Release the mouse button to unpin the folder.

   Note: Removing the folder from the Dock does not delete the original files from your Mac.