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How do I enable snap-to-grid by default on Mac OS X?

Fresh7 days ago
Mar 15, 2026101231 views
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Problem

I'm setting up a new Mac, and when I drag icons on my desktop (or in Windows, if I switch them to icon view), the icons don't snap into place unless I hold the command key down. I can't recall how to make that "snap-to-grid" the default. And I can't find it in the Finder's View Options or Preferenc…

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1 Fix

Canonical Fix
Unverified Fix
New Fix – Awaiting Verification

Fix for: How do I enable snap-to-grid by default on Mac OS X?

Low Risk

With the desktop active, under the View menu, choose Show View Options (or ) and select Snap to Grid in the Arrange by drop-down. Still available under later versions of OS X, but now in the Sort by drop-down (still under Show View Options):

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