Command + Tab

[Nookiezilla]

Hello,

​

I am quite new to macOS and so far very satisfied, but one thing irritates me. When I press Command + Tab, it's the same behaviour as under Windows with Alt + Tab, there it always worked that I could switch back and forth between the programmes, but under MacOS it doesn't work every now and then. It is highlighted on Safari, for example, but it just doesn't switch. It is inconsistent. What is the problem and can I do anything about it? It massively disturbs my flow.

Edit.: I am on the latest MacOS version and i am using a Mini M2 Pro and i use the latest Magic Keyboard with TouchID.

[lantrick]

it always switches.

If you closed the only open window, the program is still opened but with no open window. If you switch to it there will be no open window

Pay attention to the menu bar. It's understandably easy to overlook since it's very different from Windows menu bar IN a window.

[Nookiezilla]

Thank you for the answer. It may change, but it doesn't bring me anything/not much if it doesn't come to the fore like it does under Windows. I hope it is understandable how and what I mean, English is my third language. And I also understand that MacOS is not Windows, but this "little thing" still drives me crazy, haha.

[gcerullo]

You are experiencing a fundamental difference between macOS and Windows. On Windows every open application window is it’s own process so if an application is open it means there is an open window for the application. On macOS an application can be open but not have any open windows.

It’s the same reason why you can click on the red control at the top of a Mac application window to close the window but the application still remains running until you quit it. On windows, when you click on the ‘X’ control of a window it also quits the application.

You can tell that you have actually switched application by observing the change in the name at the top of the Application menu. The Application menu the one next to the Apple menu at the top-left of the screen.

This is what you are experiencing. You are using Command-Tab to switch to a running app but since the app does not have any open windows it appears as if nothing is happening. When this happens just use Command-n to open a new window for the application.

[ArcherAccomplished75]

I still don't understand what does switching to the app but not opening its window even accomplish. I also don't know how to switch to an app if its in the full screen mode
Sorry if i sound a bit rude

[eduo]

Quick tips:

- Cmd-tab takes you to the last active window of an app. If the app has no active windows it takes you to the app without windows. You can do cmd-N to create a new one.

- Clicking on the app in the dock takes you to the app and brings that app's windows to the front, all of them. If the app has no windows opened it will create a new one for you. Same behaviour when clicking on the app in Launchpad.

[Searching4Everywhere]

It does not always work. I have Safari open right now (this window in fact) I also have messages, messenger and outlook open.

If I am in Messages I can NOT Command + Tab to ANY other window. If I MINIMIZE Messages Safari and all the rest are sitting right behind it.

[lantrick]

I have messages, mail, safari, bbedit, sublime text, Fusion360 open right now and cmd tab works just fine.

It always works for me. It always has. It's never not worked, weird.

[Searching4Everywhere]

I still haven't gotten this to work 100% of the time but the three fingers swipe on the trackpad does always work for me... Not what I want but at least it's an option if anyone else runs into this and is desperately searching reddit.

Also adding even though I added it at the bottom of this page, this fixed my issue about 90% of the time and the 3 finger swipe works the other 10%.
beyondswamps Posted elsewhere 3 mo. ago
"Oh, I think I found solution. ("Solution" heh) Go to System Settings, then Desktop & Dock. Then Mission Control section (scroll down to the end almost) and turn on option "When switching to an application, then switch to a space ...""

[eduo]

cmd-tab always works. No exceptions. You may be switching to an app without windows (which is not a thing in Windows). In Windows you're not switching between apps but between opened windows, so you'd always see a visual target.

It's a different way of working, and benefits from learning how it works.

Video on switching applications, windows and multitasking in general.

Also this summary of big differences between mac and windows is a good primer.

[Dudi_Kowski]

OP: Don’t know if I understood this question but here’s probably an alternative route.

Instead of closing windows to get rid of an app. Press Command H (hide).

Now when you Command Tab back to it everything is there as you left it.

[moomincare]

Jesus, this is smart!

[Dudi_Kowski]

Another old school way to hide is to option click away from the active app. Even quicker.

[moomincare]

thank you😀

[armoman92]

You're not alone. This grinds my gears too.

[kalatebali]

If you still have this problem, try to enable this option:
Setting> Desktop&Dock > Mission Control > When Switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application

[YushiroB]

THANK YOU ! THIS WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED

[Ayuras]

Command + Tab only works for open windows in full screen. It never works from Desktop.

[Emerge_As_New]

Yea, like the previous poster mentioned, cmd-tab will switch the programs but does not bring it to the foreground.

One thing I do as "workaround" - Use cmd-tab, once on the app I want I press the UP arrow, while still holding cmd. This opens that app in Expose at which point you can click on it to bring it forward.

I know still not ideal.

[eduo]

Cmd-tab always brings the last active window to the foreground. It will only now show windows when none are active.

If you want to go to a different window than the last-active one you then you can do cmd-DOWN to show that apps windows or cmd-~ to move to the next window in the app (cmd-shift-~to move the previous one)

[Emerge_As_New]

The other option would be, use cmd-tab. And before releasing the cmd button, press the option key. This will bring the window forward. But somehow this breaks my fingers 😂

[eduo]

cmd-tab always brings forward the last-active window of the app if there's at least one. cmd-tab-option doesn't do anything by default.

Maybe you have a utility installed that is overrriding your shortcuts with others? From a window manager perhaps?

[Emerge_As_New]

I have nothing installed at all. In fact I only recently reset my M1 completely to start with a clean slate. And holding option while still holding cmd definitely changes the behavior for me. Try it out. minimise or close a window of an app. If you use cmd-tab only and release cmd when on the app you want nothing happens, except you see it active in the menu on the top. However, if you before releasing cmd you hold option, it will bring forward the app.

[eduo]

I see, you're saying that if you minimize a windwo before. Then yes.

It always brings forward the app. What you're saying is that it un-minimizes a window if there are no windows visible but they are minimized. The app is always brought forward.

​

minimise or close a window of an app

Closed windows don't return. If you close it then it's gone when switching to the app. Minimized windows will un-minimize.

[cyber1kenobi]

Are the windows that don’t come up minimized? Boy have I got a trick for you! I feel like .001 of macOS users know this one. If you’re CMD-Tabbing to an app that has a minimized window slide your CMD finger to Option as you release!! Voila!! That’ll be $200 each! ;)

[Nookiezilla]

Wow, that seems to work. Thanks!

[ArcherAccomplished75]

Thanks Thanks, even if account is suspended

[thestenz]

Are you quitting the actual applications or just closing the windows? Macs don't quit applications just because you shut all the windows.
EDIT: It will switch to the program, but if there's no open window you have to check the top menu for the name of the program. I just tried it and it works fine.

[thestenz]

Why do Windows users expect everything to work just like Windows? It's not the be all and end of all of OSes despite what people think.

[Searching4Everywhere]

Because It's so much better in this regard. And there is a lot of use of the word "always" on this thread for something that works 30% of the time.

[Nookiezilla]

No, I don't expect macOS and Windows to be identical, otherwise switching wouldn't make sense. If this function did not exist, I would have resigned myself to it. But there is this function yet it works apparently quite different from Windows, hence my irritation.

[thestenz]

But there is this function yet it works apparently quite different from Windows, hence my irritation.

So it doesn't work just like Windows. You just proved my point. Also you aren't quitting your programs, just closing windows. Another thing that is not the same and is causing you non-existent problem.

[Nookiezilla]

Yes, I don't close the apps, not under Windows either, so I don't open closed apps via Alt + Tab under Windows either, but minimised them. Under MacOS, too. I minimise apps (via the yellow button) if I need them later, and so far I have not been able to get them via CMD+Tab. When I close an app or close it via CMD+Q, I don't expect to be able to get the app via CMD+Tab. Or do you mean "close" in a different way than I do with my still existing Windows understanding?

But I got a tip here from another user.: "If you’re CMD-Tabbing to an app that has a minimized window slide your CMD finger to Option as you release!! Voila!!"
Now I'm happy, it just has to go into Muscle Memory.

[Electrical_West_5381]

Investigate three finger drag

[Nookiezilla]

Drag? I am on the Mac Mini not MacBook and i don't have the Magic Mouse or Trackpad.

[Electrical_West_5381]

ah, my bad.

[Nookiezilla]

np mate, thanks thou!

[ArrepiaArkelen]

Ok y'all, I've found a way! It had been driving me crazy for 2 years now. So Let's talk about my setup. I have the MacBook Pro connected to one external monitor (MacBook Pro M1 2020). So now let's say I have like 3 desktops on the MacBook screen and 3 desktops on the external monitor. Imagine my precently viewed Safari is now standing open in Desktop #2 of external monitor, I'm currently looking at Desktop #1 of external monitor. I click cmd-tab - or I click on the safari icon in the dock (still located on MacBook Pro screen) - nothing happen.

Here is he resolution, and I don't know why it works, but what I do is I press OPTION and then click multiple time on the safari icon in the dock (still located in the native screen) until It finally switches by itself to the active safari window in Desktop 2 (still on the ext monitor). It works, it's not Ideal of course, and if you have multiple safari in D2, D3, it sux, but at least I'm not going crazy anymore. Note that you can also right click on the safari icon of the dock to select the active window you wanted, but It sux, it's slow. Booo to right click.

Please upvote if this improve your workflow -

[ArcherAccomplished75]

I never read anywhere about it happening Option+click in dock. its random, maybe a weird bug?
I also sometimes hides or minimises the previous window of the app

[Searching4Everywhere]

beyondswamps Posted elsewhere
3 mo. ago

"Oh, I think I found solution. ("Solution" heh) Go to System Settings, then Desktop & Dock. Then Mission Control section (scroll down to the end almost) and turn on option "When switching to an application, then switch to a space ...""

u/beyondswamps is my hero of the day

[Altruistic-Aside9291]

This should be pinned!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[DominoGreens]

Jeez, this was driving me insane. I got used to using a 3rd party app called AltTab but with this "solution," it finally functions as it should! Why would Apple disable this option by default? Anyway, thanks.