Why does Preview app remain in Dock after quitting on Mac?

Question

Level 1

15 points

Why does Preview app remain in Dock after quitting on Mac?

I first want to preface this by saying I know how to manually remove an app from the dock after quitting it and it stays in the dock. Right click>Options>Remove from Dock or just drag to remove.

I'm having issues with apps such as Preview that stays in Dock every time I quit it. How do I get such apps to automatically be removed from the dock when I quit it? When I quit Numbers or Pages, it automatically leaves the dock. So why not apps like Preview? I do not have the "Keep in Dock" option selected for any app that will not automatically be removed from the dock when I quit.

Would really appreciate some help if possible. I contacted Apple and the support person was no help at all. Just kept saying to drag it out of the dock or select remove from dock. That is not solving my issue.

Thanks in advance for any help

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title:

Mac mini, macOS 15.6

Posted on Oct 28, 2025 12:12 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

den.thed

Level 10

90,718 points

Oct 28, 2025 12:41 PM in response to Steve Hadeen

How are you quitting Preview...?

If you only click the red button on the Preview panel it does not quit Preview.

To completely quit Preview, you need to use Command Q or select Quit Preview from the dropdown menu.

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Answer 2

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

59,306 points

Oct 28, 2025 1:47 PM in response to Steve Hadeen

Also, the right side of the Dock is used for Recently Opened apps. You can remove that section by going to  > System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Show suggested and recent Applications in Dock.

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,152 points

Oct 28, 2025 1:40 PM in response to Steve Hadeen

Clicking the red traffic light on a document title bar will quit some applications, but not Preview, and it will remain in the Dock. If you have multiple documents open in Preview then you would need to press the option key while selecting Close All in Preview, then formally quit on the application menu or cmd+Q.

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Answer 4

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

59,306 points

Oct 28, 2025 4:40 PM in response to dialabrain

dialabrain wrote:

Where have I heard that before? 🤔

Sorry, my scan of the posts did not see your second point, which is probably the most relevant unless the user is indeed not actually quitting Preview. Will slow down a bit next time before posting. You do deserve the thumbs up.

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Answer 5

Steve Hadeen Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 28, 2025 5:26 PM in response to dialabrain

Thanks so much. That is the answer I was looking for. I cannot believe the Apple support person did not figure that out as I told him exactly as I posted the problem above. Just kept telling me to right click>options>remove from dock or drag icon off dock. Already knew that and was doing that - lol. Thanks again, as I mentioned to Mac Jim ID that I did not realize the right side was recently opened apps.

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

135,539 points

Oct 28, 2025 4:01 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

Where have I heard that before? 🤔

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Answer 7

Steve Hadeen Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 28, 2025 5:21 PM in response to den.thed

I'm right clicking>quit or dragging the app out of the dock to bring up remove as mentioned in my first posting. So it is being quit but staying in my dock.

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Answer 8

Steve Hadeen Author

Level 1

15 points

Oct 28, 2025 5:24 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

That is what I'm looking for. It is to the right of the line. Didn't realize that is a recently opened apps section. Thanks!

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Answer 9

dialabrain

Level 10

135,539 points

Oct 28, 2025 6:04 PM in response to Steve Hadeen

You're welcome.

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Answer 10

dialabrain

Level 10

135,539 points

Oct 28, 2025 12:45 PM in response to Steve Hadeen

First, make sure you're running Sequoia 15.7.1. Second, make sure "Show suggested and recent apps in Dock" is disabled in System Settings > Desktop & Dock.

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