How ⌘Tab works on a Mac, and how to switch windows
Command-Tab is the fastest way to move between apps on macOS. It switches apps, not windows, and a few extra keys close most of that gap.
The built-in shortcuts
| Keys | What it does |
|---|---|
| ⌘Tab | Switch to the app you used last. Keep ⌘ held and press Tab again to go further. |
| ⌘⇧Tab | Move backward through the open switcher. |
| ⌘` | Switch between the windows of the front app. Add ⇧ to go backward. |
| ⌘Q or ⌘H in the switcher | Quit or hide the highlighted app without leaving the switcher. |
| ↑ or ↓ in the switcher | Show every window of the highlighted app, then pick one with the arrows. |
| ⌃↑ | Mission Control: all windows of all apps on the current Space. |
| ⌃↓ | App Exposé: all windows of the front app. |
Where the built-in ⌘Tab falls short
- It lists apps, not windows. Two Safari windows are one entry, and you reach the second with ⌘` after you switch.
- Minimized windows stay in the Dock. Switching to their app brings up nothing until you click the window there.
- There is no search: with twenty apps open you press Tab until you get there.
- It shows only icons, with no window titles or previews to tell windows apart.
Switch windows instead of apps
A window switcher replaces ⌘Tab with a list of every open window. BetterCmdTab is a free, open-source one: the same ⌘Tab, but each window is its own entry, minimized windows and other Spaces included, with live previews, search and browser tabs. A quick tap still switches to the last app at once, so the habit you have keeps working.
- Install it with
brew install --cask bettercmdtab, or download the .dmg and drag it into Applications. - Enable it under System Settings, Privacy & Security, Accessibility.
- Hold ⌘ and press Tab.
To go back to the native switcher, choose Quit BetterCmdTab from its menu-bar icon. If you used AltTab before, see the AltTab comparison.