Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: April 14, 2026
Got questions? We've got answers. Here are the things people ask most about Otterdock.
Does Otterdock work with macOS Sequoia and Sonoma?
Yes. Otterdock requires macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later and is fully compatible with macOS 15 Sequoia. We test each release against the latest macOS versions to catch compatibility issues before they reach you. See macOS Sonoma vs Sequoia Dock changes for details.
Why does Otterdock need Accessibility permission?
Only for Hover Mode — the feature that pops up a group when you hover over its Dock icon. The permission lets Otterdock detect your mouse position on the Dock, nothing else. It's completely optional. If you prefer, click mode works with zero permissions out of the box. See Click Mode vs Hover Mode: a detailed comparison on our blog.
Will Otterdock slow down my Mac?
Not at all. Otterdock is a lightweight menu bar app built with Swift and SwiftUI. It sits quietly until you interact with it — no background CPU usage, no periodic tasks, no hidden processes. The only network activity is Sparkle update checks and optional anonymous analytics (which you can disable).
How do I remove groups from my Dock?
Same way you'd remove any Dock item — drag it off the Dock or right-click and choose 'Remove from Dock'. Or delete the group inside Otterdock and it cleans up the Dock entry automatically on the next sync.
Where is my data stored?
Everything lives locally on your Mac: group configurations, app paths, icon preferences — all in ~/Library/Application Support/Otterdock/ and macOS UserDefaults. Your groups and settings never leave your device.
What's the difference between the Direct and App Store editions?
The Direct Download ($6.99) gives you the full experience: hover mode, Sparkle auto-updates, and complete Dock system integration. The Mac App Store edition ($2.99, coming soon) is sandboxed by Apple, which means click-to-expand only, App Store updates, and some system-level features are limited. Both editions share the same core groups, skins, and local-only data storage. Both have a free tier with up to 2 groups. For a full feature comparison, see Direct Download vs App Store: which to choose.
Does Otterdock collect analytics?
Otterdock uses TelemetryDeck and PostHog for anonymous product analytics — things like which features are popular and how the app is used. No personal information, file paths, or group names are ever transmitted. You can opt out of all analytics in Settings at any time. Learn more about our approach in Privacy-First Mac Apps.
How do updates work?
The Direct edition uses Sparkle — you'll get a notification when a new version is ready, and can install with one click. You can also check manually via the menu bar icon → Check for Updates. The Mac App Store edition updates through the App Store like any other app.
What happens if I uninstall Otterdock?
The group folders Otterdock created stay on your Dock until you remove them (just drag them off). The app data in ~/Library/Application Support/Otterdock/ can be deleted manually for a completely clean removal. Your Dock goes back to exactly how it was — no traces left behind.
Can I use Otterdock on multiple Macs?
Yes. Your license covers every Mac you personally own and use. Install and activate on each one with the same key. Groups are stored locally per machine, so they won't auto-sync between Macs — but you can export and import group configurations using the built-in backup feature (⌘E to export, ⌘I to import).