Get rid of the extra app icon at the end of your Mac's Dock

Why it happens

Handoff lets you start something on one Apple device and pick it up on another. When you're using an app on your iPhone or iPad nearby, your Mac shows that app's icon in the Dock with a small device badge, so you can click it and continue. It comes and goes as you use your other devices, which is why it seems random.

How to fix it

1. Point at the mystery icon. A Handoff icon has a small iPhone or iPad badge on it and its label mentions your device. Clicking it opens the same thing on your Mac.

2. If you'd rather not see it, open System Settings, click General, then AirDrop & Continuity, and turn off Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.

   General›AirDrop & Continuity

3. The icon goes away and stays away while Handoff is off. Copy and paste between your devices also uses Handoff, so that stops too.

Still not fixed?

1. If the icon has a small dot under it, it's an app that's open right now but isn't kept in your Dock. It shows while the app runs and goes when you quit it. To keep it there, Control-click the icon and choose Options > Keep in Dock.

2. If the icon has no device badge and sits next to the divider, it's a recently used app. Turn off Show suggested and recent apps in Dock in Desktop & Dock settings.

   Desktop & Dock›Show suggested and recent apps in Dock

3. If you'd like to keep Handoff on the Mac but stop one iPhone or iPad from sending apps, turn off Handoff in that device's General settings.

4. If an unknown icon keeps appearing with Handoff and recent apps both off, restart your Mac. If it's still there, contact Apple Support.