How to Add a Recently Used Applications Stack to your Dock

This guide will show you how to add a “Recent Items” Stack in your macOS Dock so you can quickly access recently used files.

The process is different depending on which version of macOS you’re using.

Instructions for macOS 10.14 Mojave and Earlier

Open a Terminal (found in Applications -> Utilities) and enter the following line of text:

defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = { "list-type" = 1; }; "tile-type" = "recents-tile"; }'

And then type:

killall Dock

Your dock will now have a new Stack. Give it a click.

click to enlarge

Instructions for macOS 10.15 Catalina and Later

Open a Finder window and locate the Recents item in the sidebar.

If your Finder doesn’t have a Recents item in the sidebar, select Finder from the menu bar and then Preferences… from the list. Click the Sidebar tab and then make sure there’s a check in the Recents box.

Now right-click (hold down the control key and click) on Recents in the sidebar and choose Add to Dock

Ta-da! Now there’s a new Stack in your Dock.

You can choose the view this Stack will use the same way you do with other Stacks – right-click (control + click) the item and choose your preferred view.

Click the stack and there’s your list :)

ps. did you know you can customize your Stack icons?