5 Ways to Switch Between Windows of Same App in Mac

If you like using multiple windows of the same app like Safari, Chrome, etc., you definitely would want to switch between them. Unfortunately, it’s not quite intuitive on MacBook to do so. But on the good side, you get different ways to toggle between windows on Mac. You can do it using a mouse, keyboard shortcut, or even the trackpad. Let’s learn how to switch between windows of the same app on Mac.

1. Switch Between Windows on Mac Using Keyboard Shortcuts

There are threeMac keyboard shortcutsthat you’re able to use to toggle between windows of the same app like Chrome, Safari, etc., on your MacBook.

Using Command + ` Shortcut

TheCommand + `shortcut is one of the most widely used keyboard shortcuts to switch between different windows of the same app on Mac.

1.Open any one of the windows of the app on your MacBook.

Then, hold theCommand buttonand press the(tilde) keyrepeatedly to cycle between the windows of the same app. PressCommand + Shift +to cycle between the windows in the reverse direction.

3.Release the Command key after you have landed on the window that you want to switch to.

How to Fix or Change Keyboard Shortcut to Switch Between Windows of the Same App

In case the shortcut doesn’t work or you feel that you may have accidentally changed the shortcut, you can easily check and confirm it. For that, openFinderand click onWindowin the menu bar. Look for the shortcut mentioned next toCycle Through Windows.

If you would like to change this shortcut, follow these steps:

Click on theAppleicon in the Menu bar and selectSystem Settings.

2.Go toKeyboardfollowed byKeyboard shortcuts.

4.Next, make sure the checkbox next toMove focus to next windowis selected. Then, double-click on the keyboard shortcut next to it i.e.,Command icon ⌘ + `and enter your own shortcut to change it. Click onDoneto save the changes.

Using Command + F4 Shortcut

you may also useCtrl + F4orCtrl + fn +F4to switch between active or next windows of the same app on a MacBook. Again, this will not work for maximized or minimized windows.

Using Command + Tab Shortcut

Do you use Command + Tab keyboard shortcut to switch between different apps on your Mac? The same shortcut can be used to toggle between windows of the same app as shown below.

1.Hold theCommandbutton and press theTabbutton to open the app switcher screen.

Without leaving the Command button, press theTabbutton (or the right/left arrow keys) repeatedly to go to the app icon whose windows you want to switch to. Let’s say Chrome. So go to Chrome.

3.Once you are on the desired app icon i.e., Chrome in our example, press theDown arrowkey while holding theCommandbutton to see all the open windows of the same app.

4.Use the right/left arrow keys to navigate between the open windows. Then, press theReturnkey to switch to the selected window. Alternatively, you can even click on the window to switch to it.

Tip:Check out different ways toopen Launchpad on Mac.

2. Switch Between Windows on Mac Using Trackpad

You can also use your Mac’s trackpad to switch between windows of the same app in two different ways.

Using Mission Control (Control + Up Arrow or Swipe Up)

Mission Controlshows all the windows and apps that are open on your MacBook on a single screen. That includes both minimized and full-screen apps, apps in Split View, or desktop spaces. You will find desktops/spaces as thumbnails at the top.

Follow these steps to toggle between windows on Mac using Mission Control:

1.First, you need to launch the Mission Control screen which can be done from any app in the following two ways:

2.On the Mission Control screen, click on the window that you want to switch to from the same space.

To switch between spaces or full-screen windows, swipe left or right with three fingers on the trackpad on the Mission Control screen.

Tip:By default, the open windows of the same app are ungrouped and will appear scattered. To group them, go to System Settings from the Apple icon > Desktop and Dock. Scroll down and enable the toggle next to Group windows by application under the Mission Control section.

Tip: Know how tochange scroll direction in Macbook.

Using App Expose (Control+ Down Arrow or Swipe Down)

Unlike Mission Control which shows all apps, this method shows all open windows of the same app on the same desktop.

1.Open any window of the app.

2.Swipe down using three fingers on the trackpad. Or, hold the Control button and press the Down arrow key once to see all open windows from the same app. Then, use the arrow keys to switch between windows of the same app on your Mac.

3. Switch Between Windows on Mac Using Mouse

Another easy way to toggle between windows on Mac is from the Dock. Right-click on the app icon in the Dock using your mouse and you will see the list of open windows of the same app. Click on the window that you want to switch to.

If you aren’t used to right-click, you can access the app menu in the Dock in the following ways:

Tip:Check outcool apps to customize Mac’s Dock.

Just like the Dock, you can see and switch between windows of the same app on your MacBook using the Window tab in the Menu bar.

1.Open any one window of the app.

Click onWindowin the Menu bar. You will see the list of open windows at the bottom. Click on the window that you want to switch to.

4. Switch Between Maximized Windows

When any of your app windows is full screen, it will act as an individual Space. To switch between app windows when at least one of them is maximized, use Ctrl + right or Ctrl + left arrow to switch between spaces. You can also swipe left or right on the trackpad to switch between full-screen app windows.

Alternatively, you can switch between maximized windows from Dock, Window menu, or Mission Control.

5. Using Hot Corners

Hot Corner is a special feature available on MacBooks that lets you assign different actions to four corners of the screen. You can assign the ability to switch between windows of the same application to one of the hot corners.

1.OpenSystem Settingson your MacBook.

2.Go toDesktop & Dockand click onHot Cornersat the bottom.

3.Click on the drop-down box for the corner using which you want to switch between application windows.

SelectApplication Windowsfrom the menu and click on Done.

5.Now, whenever you want to see or switch between windows of the same app, move your mouse pointer to that particular corner when the app is open. you may also open any other app and it will show its open windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to merge app windows into one window?

You can merge different windows of the same into one tabbed window where each window will act as a tab. Open the app and click on Window in the Menu bar. Select Merge all Windows. Please note that this feature works for some apps only.

How to switch between different apps on Mac?

Use the Command + Tab keyboard shortcut or Mission Control to switch between apps on MacBook. you may also use Stage Manager or Dock to switch between apps.

How to change trackpad gestures on Mac?

Go to Apple icon > System Settings > Trackpad > More Gestures. Here you can customize gestures for Mission Control, App Expose, etc.

How to change keyboard shortcuts on Mac?

Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts. Select the preferred category to change its keyboard shortcut.

Multitask on MacBook

Hope you have understood how to switch between windows of the same app on Mac. If you like to multitask, know how tosnap windows on MacBook. Also, check out thebest MacBook appsto improve productivity.

Mehvish Mushtaqis a tech lover from Kashmir. With a degree in computer engineering, she’s always been happy to help anyone who finds technology challenging. She’s been writing about technology for over six years, and her favorite topics include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, social media, and web apps. You can also find her work onMake Tech Easier,Guiding Tech, andNerds Chalk

5 Ways to Switch Between Windows of Same App in Mac