The macOS Dock Nightmare: How I Finally Stopped It from Jumping Between Screens
For years, I put up with one of macOS’s strangest and most frustrating annoyance: the Dock constantly moving between screens when I least expected it. If you use multiple monitors, you’ve probably experienced this yourself — one moment, the Dock is where you want it, and the next, it’s jumped to a different display, forcing you to interrupt your workflow to fix it.
At first, I thought I was missing a setting. Surely, there must be an option to lock the Dock in place? But after diving into macOS settings, I found no solution.
I turned to Internet, searching through forums, Reddit threads, and Stack Exchange questions dating back more than a decade. The frustration was universal.
“I’m running Mac Mini M1 on a dual monitor set up and every now and then (I don’t know even how it happens or why), the dock switches from one monitor to the other. It annoys me so much.” (Reddit 3 years ago)
“how can we stop it? Some terminal command or even paid software?” (Apple Discussions 8 years ago)
Users tried everything:
• Altering system settings — Unchecking “Displays have separate Spaces” sometimes helped, but it broke other macOS features.
• Changing Dock position — Moving it to the left or right side prevented jumping, but that’s not where many people want their Dock.
None of these were real solutions. Apple ignored the issue for years. So, I decided to fix it myself.
Creating a Real Fix: DockLock Lite
Instead of relying on system hacks or risky modifications, I built DockLock Lite, a lightweight app that prevents accidental Dock movement. It runs in the background, ensuring the Dock stays exactly where you want it — without breaking macOS features or requiring deep system changes.
It was important for me to make this solution accessible, so I released DockLock Lite as a free app on the Mac App Store, with core functionality available to everyone. The free version locks the Dock in place and runs safely in the background.
For those who want more control, DockLock Lite+ (a one-time purchase) unlocks additional features:
• Choose which displays allow Dock movement
• Hold a key to temporarily unlock Dock movement
• Auto-start at login
• Hide Dock & menu icons for a clean experience
• Support for Dock in auto-hide mode
The reception has been amazing. Many users have told me DockLock Lite has finally fixed an issue they’ve been struggling with for years.
What’s Next: DockLock Pro
After launching DockLock Lite, I realized that locking the Dock was just the beginning. Some users don’t just want to prevent Dock movement — they want full control over where and when the Dock appears.
That’s why I’m working on DockLock Pro — a more advanced tool that doesn’t just lock the Dock but lets you control it dynamically. With Pro, you’ll be able to:
• Move the Dock between monitors via a menu or hotkey
• Set rules to move the Dock based on the active app
• Make the Dock follow the mouse when needed
DockLock Pro is coming soon, and DockLock Lite+ buyers will get a discount when upgrading.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by the macOS Dock moving between screens when you don’t want it to, you can try DockLock Lite for free on the Mac App Store. It’s a simple fix to a decade-old problem — and if you need even more control, DockLock Pro is on the way.
Find DockLock Lite on the Mac App Store or click the link on the official website https://docklockpro.com/
Would love to hear your thoughts — have you dealt with the Dock jumping screens? What solutions (if any) have worked for you?
