One of the best things about Zorin OS is that it already looks and feels close to macOS especially if you’re using Zorin OS Core or Pro with the macOS-like layout.
But if you’re after a minimal and focused desktop, hiding the dock is a smart move. It gives you:
- A cleaner, larger workspace
- A distraction-free environment
- That smooth, professional macOS-style auto-hide behavior
Whether you’re switching from macOS or just love that floating dock experience, here’s how to do it easily on Zorin.
Step 1: Open Zorin Appearance
- Click on the Zorin Menu (Z icon) at the bottom-left corner of your screen.
- Search for Zorin Appearance and open it.
- You’ll now see different customization tabs like Layout, Theme, Panel, etc.
This is your main control center for changing how your desktop looks and behaves.
Step 2: Go to the “Panel” Tab
Once you’re inside Zorin Appearance, click on the “Panel” tab at the top.
Here you’ll see various settings that control:
- Dock size
- Position (bottom, left, or right)
- Transparency
- Auto-hide behavior
This is where you can make your dock behave exactly like macOS.
Step 3: Enable Auto-Hide
- Scroll down to the “Behavior” section.
- Toggle on “Automatically hide the panel when not in use.”
- Once enabled, your dock will hide itself when your mouse isn’t near it.
Now when you move your cursor to the bottom of the screen (or wherever your dock is positioned), it will slide up smoothly — just like on macOS.
Step 4: Adjust Dock Position (Optional)
If you want a true macOS-style look, keep your dock at the bottom center of the screen.
To do this:
- In the same Panel tab, find “Position”.
- Set it to Bottom.
- Optionally, reduce the panel length (set to “Centered”) so it looks like a floating macOS dock rather than spanning the full width.
This small tweak instantly makes your desktop feel cleaner and more Apple-like.
Step 5: Adjust Dock Size and Transparency
To complete the macOS-like appearance, you can tweak a few visual settings:
- Under Panel size, choose Medium or Large depending on your preference.
- Scroll to Background and set transparency to Dynamic or Transparent — this helps the dock blend with your wallpaper like macOS does.
- Choose a smooth, minimal icon theme from the “Theme” tab (for example, Zorin icons or Papirus).
You can play around until you find that perfect modern look.
Step 6: (Optional) Use Dash-to-Dock Extension for Extra Control
If you’re comfortable using GNOME extensions, you can install Dash-to-Dock, which gives you even more control over the dock’s behavior and animation.
Here’s how:
- Open Software Center.
- Search for “Dash to Dock”.
- Install it and then open GNOME Extensions.
- From there, enable Dash-to-Dock and go to its settings.
- Turn on Auto-hide, Intelligent hide, or Dodge windows — depending on how you want it to behave.
With this, you can even control the dock animation speed, position, and transparency more precisely than Zorin’s default settings.
Step 7: Save and Test
Once you’ve made all your changes:
- Close the Zorin Appearance window.
- Open a few apps and watch how the dock hides automatically.
- Hover your mouse to the dock area — it should appear smoothly just like macOS.
If it feels too fast or too slow, you can always return to Zorin Appearance and fine-tune the settings.
Bonus Tip: Use macOS Theme for Complete Look
If you want your Zorin OS to completely resemble macOS:
- Go to Zorin Appearance → Layouts.
- Choose the macOS-style layout (available in Zorin OS Pro).
- Combine that with the auto-hide dock feature.
You’ll now have a full macOS-like experience — from the top panel to the bottom dock animations.
Conclusion
Zorin OS already offers one of the cleanest and most elegant Linux experiences.
But by enabling the auto-hide dock, you make it even more minimal and macOS-like giving you extra screen space and a smoother, distraction-free workflow.
Whether you’re a former macOS user or just love that aesthetic, these simple settings make your Linux desktop look professional and refined.
