Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: September 17, 2026
Frequently asked questions for Direct Full 1.1.3 and Mac App Store 1.1.0.
On this page
- Does Otterdock work with macOS Sequoia and Sonoma?
- Why does Otterdock need Accessibility permission?
- Will Otterdock slow down my Mac?
- How do I remove groups from my Dock?
- Where is my data stored?
- What's the difference between the Direct and App Store editions?
- Does Otterdock collect analytics?
- How do updates work?
- What happens if I uninstall Otterdock?
- Can I use Otterdock on multiple Macs?
- Does Otterdock support keyboard shortcuts?
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?
Native macOS Dock folders require no additional Accessibility permissions. The Direct Full edition requests Accessibility only to support enhanced Dock click interception and hover opening.
Will Otterdock slow down my Mac?
Otterdock runs natively as a menu-bar app, and resource usage varies depending on items, preview generation, and enabled features. When enabled, update checks and optional analytics, configurable in Settings, may use the network.
How do I remove groups from my Dock?
You can remove a group shortcut from your Dock by dragging it out or by using its Dock context menu. In the Full edition, you can also manage and synchronize Dock entries directly inside Otterdock. The Mac App Store edition uses native macOS folder stacks that are added and removed manually; removing a group in the app does not automatically remove its shortcut from the Dock. Removing a Dock shortcut never deletes the original source files.
Where is my data stored?
For the direct download version (Full), core configurations (including groups.json), full application and file paths, and icon preferences are stored locally in ~/Library/Application Support/Otterdock/, with preferences stored in macOS UserDefaults. For the Mac App Store edition, equivalent core data is located in Application Support/Otterdock within its application sandbox container. Widget snapshots and icons for both versions are stored in the Widget directory under the shared App Group container. All core configs, full paths, and file contents remain local. The current version includes optional product analytics for interaction and count events, does not transmit group names, item names, full paths, file contents, app configurations, or detailed errors, and can be turned off in Settings.
What's the difference between the Direct and App Store editions?
The direct download edition (Full) is free to download with an optional Pro one-time license ($6.99, subject to regional checkout pricing), featuring hover expansion, global shortcuts configured per group, Sparkle auto-updates, custom popup windows, Dock shortcut management, and Pro-exclusive custom open-with application assignment per file. The Mac App Store edition (v1.1.0) is free to download with an optional Pro one-time in-app purchase ($6.99, subject to local store pricing), running in Apple's sandbox with manual folder dragging for native Finder/Dock stacks, native desktop widgets, and App Store updates. Both editions share core capabilities: a free tier with 2 groups and 8 items per group, mixed content, and local core storage, with advanced skins included in Pro. Purchases and licenses are independent. See Direct Download vs. App Store.
Does Otterdock collect analytics?
Otterdock uses TelemetryDeck and PostHog for product analytics — things like which features are popular and how the app is used. Current builds send product-interaction events and a random app-generated identifier that is not linked to your identity, but no group names, item names, file paths, file contents, app configurations, or detailed error messages. Builds before 45 may have included a group or item display name in some events. 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 (or check manually via the menu bar icon → Check for Updates). The Mac App Store edition updates automatically through macOS App Store updates like any other Mac App Store app.
What happens if I uninstall Otterdock?
Uninstalling Otterdock does not automatically delete your saved configuration or remove shortcuts previously placed in your Dock. You will need to remove any remaining Dock shortcuts manually. Your grouped original files and applications remain untouched in their original locations.
Can I use Otterdock on multiple Macs?
Yes. For the Direct edition, your license key can be activated on up to 3 Mac computers that you personally own and use. For the Mac App Store edition, your download and optional Pro in-app purchase are tied to your Apple Account, allowing you to use and restore it on all your Macs signed in with that Apple Account via StoreKit restore. Licenses and purchases do not transfer across different editions (Direct vs Mac App Store). Group configurations are stored locally per machine.
Does Otterdock support keyboard shortcuts?
The direct download version (Full) offers extensive keyboard support: you can configure global shortcuts per group to open any group instantly from anywhere. Inside the custom popup, use arrow keys to navigate items and switch groups, Enter or Space to open the selection, and Esc to close the popup. Full shortcut details are available on the Keyboard Shortcuts page. The Mac App Store edition lacks Full's global group shortcuts and custom popup keyboard navigation.