Keep an app in your Mac's Dock

Why it happens

The Dock shows every open app, but only apps set to stay there remain after you quit them. A new app you open appears for as long as it runs, then disappears. Keep in Dock tells your Mac to leave its icon in place.

How to fix it

1. Open the app you want. Its icon appears in the Dock while it runs.

2. Right-click the icon, or Control-click it, then choose Options and Keep in Dock.

   Dock›right-click app icon›Options›Keep in Dock

3. Or open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, and drag the app into the Dock. The other icons move apart to make room where you drop it.

4. To move an icon, drag it left or right. Apps sit on the left of the divider line, and files and folders on the right.

Still not fixed?

1. App still disappears when you quit it? Open its Dock menu again and make sure Keep in Dock has a tick next to it.

2. Dock full of apps you never added? Turn off Show suggested and recent apps in Dock, so only the ones you keep stay there.

   Desktop & Dock›Dock›Show suggested and recent apps in Dock

3. On a school or work Mac, the Dock may be locked. Ask whoever manages the Mac if icons snap back or won't stay.

4. If the Dock stops responding, restart your Mac. If it still won't keep any apps after a restart and a macOS update, contact Apple Support.