Customizing the Dock on managed Mac devices ensures a consistent and productive user experience. With Scalefusion UEM, IT administrators can enforce Dock configurations via custom payloads, streamlining app management across enterprise devices. Below is a detailed technical walkthrough to achieve this. 

Step 1: Create the Custom Payload

To customize the Dock, you’ll need to create a property list (plist) file that defines its configuration. This file specifies which applications appear on the Dock and their arrangement.

1. Prepare the Dock Configuration Payload:

Copy the following XML content, which defines the Dock’s settings:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> 

<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd"> 

<plist version="1.0"> 

<dict> 

<key>PayloadContent</key> 

    <array> 

            <dict> 

            <key>PayloadDisplayName</key> 

            <string>Dock config</string> 

            <key>PayloadIdentifier</key> 

            <string>AB9301194B6C</string> 

            <key>PayloadType</key> 

            <string>com.apple.dock</string> 

            <key>PayloadUUID</key> 

            <string>BB3E76D4-45D0-4B0A-8067-ED9301194B6C</string> 

            <key>PayloadVersion</key> 

            <integer>1</integer> 

            <key>static-apps</key> 

            <array> 

                <dict> 

                    <key>tile-data</key> 

                    <dict> 

                        <key>file-data</key> 

                        <dict> 

                            <key>_CFURLString</key> 

                            <string>/System/Applications/AppName.app</string> 

                            <key>_CFURLStringType</key> 

                            <integer>0</integer> 

                        </dict> 

                        <key>file-label</key> 

                        <string>AppName</string> 

                        <key>file-type</key> 

                        <integer>1</integer> 

                        <key>label</key> 

                        <string>AppName</string> 

                    </dict> 

                    <key>tile-type</key> 

                    <string>file-tile</string> 

                </dict> 

                <dict> 

                    <key>tile-data</key> 

                    <dict> 

                        <key>file-data</key> 

                        <dict> 

                            <key>_CFURLString</key> 

                            <string>/System/Applications/AppName.app</string> 

                            <key>_CFURLStringType</key> 

                            <integer>0</integer> 

                        </dict> 

                        <key>file-label</key> 

                        <string>AppName</string> 

                        <key>file-type</key> 

                        <integer>1</integer> 

                        <key>label</key> 

                        <string>AppName</string> 

                    </dict> 

                    <key>tile-type</key> 

                    <string>file-tile</string> 

                </dict> 

            </array> 

            <key>contents-immutable</key> 

            <true/> 

            <key>tilesize</key> 

            <integer>80</integer> 

            <key>orientation</key> 

            <string>left</string> 

            <key>static-only</key> 

    <true/> 

    <key>show-recents</key> 

    <false/> 

</dict> 

        </array> 

<key>PayloadDisplayName</key> 

<string>custom-configuration</string> 

<key>PayloadIdentifier</key> 

<string>PAYLOAD IDENTIFIER</string> 

<key>PayloadType</key> 

<string>Configuration</string> 

<key>PayloadUUID</key> 

<string>45A58F11-B3D4-4E9E-AD90-36C3C25A838B</string> 

<key>PayloadVersion</key> 

<integer>1</integer> 

</dict> 

</plist> 

• The <static-apps> array contains dictionaries for each application to be added to the Dock.
• Replace /System/Applications/AppName.app with the path to the desired application & string values for the keys file-label and label with the Application Name.

Step 2: Add Custom Settings to the Device Profile

Once the custom payload is ready, integrate it into a device profile within Scalefusion to deploy it to target macOS devices.

1. Access Scalefusion Dashboard:

   • Log in to your Scalefusion account and navigate to the Device Profiles section.

      

2. Select or Create a macOS Profile:

    

   • Choose an existing macOS device profile or create a new one to apply the custom Dock settings.
3. Navigate to Custom Settings:

    

   • Within the profile settings, locate the Custom Settings section.

      

4. Input the Custom Payload:

   • Paste the XML content of your custom payload into the editor provided.
   • Alternatively, use the IMPORT FILES option to upload the payload if saved as an XML file.

5. Configure Additional Options:

   • Send Payload on User Channel: Enable this setting if the payload should apply at the user level.
   • Conflict Resolution Method: Decide whether the custom payload or device profile settings take precedence in case of conflicts.

6. Validate the Payload:

   • Click the VALIDATE button to ensure there are no syntax errors in the payload.
   • A green checkmark indicates a valid payload; a red cross signifies errors that need correction.

7. Save and Deploy:

   • After validation, click SAVE to apply the changes.
   • The custom Dock configuration will be pushed to all devices associated with this profile.

• Custom Settings on Pushed Devices:

Conclusion

Customizing the Dock on macOS devices using Scalefusion UEM enhances user productivity by providing tailored access to essential applications. By creating and deploying custom payloads, IT administrators can efficiently manage Dock configurations across multiple devices, ensuring a consistent and optimized user experience.