Stop macOS from shuffling your desktops (Spaces) — via Apple Support

Hidden settinglow riskmacOS 14 Sonoma and later

If you use several desktops in Mission Control, macOS reorders them based on which one you used last, so 'desktop 3' isn't always in the same place. Turning this off keeps them in a fixed order, which makes Control-arrow switching predictable.

Takes effect right away

How to do it

Open System Settings > Desktop & Dock and scroll to Mission Control.
Turn off Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use.

Sources

Change Desktop & Dock settings on Mac — by Apple Support

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

Oddbyte.Me hasn't tried this on every macOS version, so keep the undo handy.

spacesmission controldesktopsrearrangevirtual desktops

More in Dock & Menu Bar

Stop windows flying away when you click the wallpaper — via Apple Support

Hidden settinglow risk

Since macOS Sonoma, clicking the desktop wallpaper can sweep every window aside to reveal the desktop. If that keeps happening by accident, you can limit it to Stage Manager only.

Make a hidden Dock pop up instantly — via Yann Bertrand, macos-defaults.com

Commandlow risk

If you auto-hide the Dock to save screen space, macOS waits a moment before showing it and then slides it in slowly. Two hidden Dock settings remove the wait and speed up the animation, so the Dock appears the instant your pointer hits the edge.

Remove the 'recent apps' section from the Dock — via Apple Support

Hidden settinglow risk

macOS adds a few recently used apps to the right side of the Dock, so it keeps changing size and icons move around. Turning this off keeps the Dock to just the apps you pinned plus the ones that are open.