How to reset the Mac Dock to default

Back up your Dock first

A reset removes everything you changed: pinned apps, their order, folders, spaces, size and position. To keep a copy, open Terminal (Command-Space, type Terminal, press Return) and run:

defaults export com.apple.dock ~/Desktop/dock-backup.plist

This saves your Dock settings to a file on the Desktop.

Reset the Dock

defaults delete com.apple.dock; killall Dock

The Dock restarts with Apple’s default apps, size and position. Your apps stay on your Mac – only the Dock changes.

Bring your Dock back

defaults import com.apple.dock ~/Desktop/dock-backup.plist; killall Dock

After a reset

It’s a good moment to build a shorter Dock. Five steps: how to organize your Mac Dock.