·2 min read

How to Show the Mac Dock on All Displays

Enable Displays have separate Spaces to make the Dock available on each connected display, and learn what the setting changes.

Written by LsonLee @lson_leee

Published by SaveTimeForFun, the maker of Otterdock. Product claims are checked against product materials; external sources are linked where relevant.

If you use more than one display with your Mac, the setting that controls Dock availability is called Displays have separate Spaces. When it is on, macOS makes the Dock available on all displays; when it is off, the Dock appears only on the main display.

Show the Dock on each display

  1. Connect the external display and make sure macOS detects it in System Settings > Displays.
  2. Open System Settings > Desktop & Dock.
  3. Scroll to Mission Control and turn on Displays have separate Spaces.

If the Dock still seems missing on one screen, first move the pointer to the edge where the Dock is positioned. Auto-hide can make the Dock appear only when the pointer reaches that edge. Seethe Dock visibility checklist.

What this setting changes

Apple says this option gives each display its own Spaces and makes the Dock available across displays. It is a Mission Control behavior, not a setting for copying Dock icons between computers. If you only want to move the Dock to the left or right edge, use the position control inthe Dock settings guide.

Menu names can differ slightly by macOS release. Follow Apple’s Desktop & Dock settings reference for the current control location.

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