Show/hide dock only works intermittently

martin999a wrote:

I've just updated to Tahoe and it still doesn't work with a full-screen app open (which as I pointed out before is exactly when I need it to work). I've also tried the killall Dock command.

Thanks for trying to help anyway. Is this a bug or just poor design? Knowing Apple it could be both, so I'll just give up. No point wasting any more time on it.

Using the M4 Mac Mini 16 GB Unified RAM / 500 GB SSD with Tahoe 26.0 >> to 26.01 >> to 26.1

No Dock issue

FYI only for context

Using a M2 Mac Mini and a M4 15" MBA also with Tahoe 26.0 >> to 26.01 >> to 26.1

No Dock issue

Judging from your experience versus the above 3 experiences

This issue seems more a localized and unique issue to your computer setup

Below is what I call a Standard Trouble Shooting Procedure

Part 1 of 2

Restart in Safe Mode. This will perform a Disk Repair, clear cache files and only load Apple Software, extensions and fonts. The boot up will be slow and can take some time - Normal.

Safe Mode will also eliminate Third Party Software, extensions and drivers from loading. It will only load the Minimum amount of Core Apple Processes to allow the the computer to function at a reduced Level of Performance 

Does the issue present in this mode ?

Sometimes a Safe Boot followed by a Normal Boot will just put things right.

If not - there could be something in the main User Account playing up. To further isolate this - Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac. Then log out of the Main User account and log into the dummy account and test again if the issue persists.

If the issue is present in the dummy account - then, this appears to be a System Wide issue on the computer.

Part 2 of 2

To Drill Down further and to avoid a session of Q&A, Q&A  and Q&A  

This is not a mandatory step though it will give us a more detailed insight of what is really going on in the computer

Download the Application Etrecheck  ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.

The Application is Not a " Silver Bullet "  and is  only a tool to examine the Hardware / Software used on this computer 

This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer Hardware / Software used on this computer 

The application is free or paid from added features. 

The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information. 

Post back the Full Report - copy and paste - >>>> using the Additional Text Icon ( 3rd Icon to last ) <<<<

I'm going to add my $0.02 here.

I can replicate the behavior of the Dock under Sequoia 15.7.2

I've discovered that if I'm being lazy with the trackpad and only quickly swipe the mouse cursor to the side (where I hide my Dock) then the Dock is not likely to appear when using an app in full screen mode.

However, if I'm just a little more deliberate and push the cursor into the edge, then the Dock appears every time.

A minor modification to my behavior is all that is required.

1) Try starting up in Safe Mode followed by a normal Restart and test hide & show.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

2) What macOS version is the 2024 M4 Mac mini currently running...?

The latest bug fixes for Sequoia are in 15.7.2

What's new in the updates for macOS Sequoia - Apple Support

Or.... optionally upgrading to Tahoe.

Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support

martin999a wrote:

Thanks for trying to help anyway. Is this a bug or just poor design? Knowing Apple it could be both, so I'll just give up. No point wasting any more time on it.

There are overlapping features in the latest Desktop & Dock design that might seem like bugs... When you have time, go back to the Apple > Settings > Desktop & Dock > review and disable the Stage Manager, Windows and Mission Control settings that you do not need or use.

see > Change Desktop & Dock settings on Mac - Apple Support

Follow the advise from my colleague @den.thed - First

This specific issue seems to have been fixed in both the latest updates to Sequoia and Tahoe

As a last resort

Terminal command

killall Dock 

This is a Case Sensitive command

Best results, if using the command

Copy and Paste>> killall Dock  into Terminal and press the Return key

The Dock should disappear for a moment and relaunch automatically

martin999a wrote:

Could this perhaps be related to the "Accidentally choose the wrong screen resolution and disable clamshell mode absolutely, permanently and forever" feature long found on MacBooks? That one's been all over the internet for years.

" wrong screen resolution " >>possible

" disable clamshell " >> we are talking about a Headless, Keyboard-less, Mouse-less M4 Mac Mini Desktop are we not ?

martin999a wrote:

I've just updated to Tahoe and it still doesn't work with a full-screen app open (which as I pointed out before is exactly when I need it to work). I've also tried the killall Dock command.

Thanks for trying to help anyway. Is this a bug or just poor design? Knowing Apple it could be both, so I'll just give up. No point wasting any more time on it.

2 more cents here

The only " wasting any more time on it. " is not attempting some of the suggestions that have been put forth

As they say, nothing ventured, nothing lost

den.thed wrote:

I always thought that proverb was "nothing ventured, nothing gained"

Poetic licence " the freedom to depart from the facts of a matter or from the conventional rules of language when speaking or writing in order to create an effect. "

As always my friend.

A pleasure to work with you

🦉-53

I always thought that proverb was "nothing ventured, nothing gained"

Same here.

Sorry, will need to defer to my colleague as I am away from the computer until tomorrow

If he is willing, you and your computer are very good hand

Excellent there