How to switch between fullscreen applications in OSX (Mavericks)

Question

I use a lot of different spaces for my fullscreen applications to get me focus on the different tasks I have to do. For example, I have a space with my mail app, subversion app, safari and so on.

To switch between my active apps I use ⌘ + tab all the time. Even though the icon of my fullscreen apps appears when tabbing and the menubar getting active, I don't see the app. Only when I go to Mission Control and click the app it will switch to the fullscreen window.

Is there a setting or a shortcut to achieve this without using the mouse?

score 62 · Answer 1 · edited Sep 18 '16 at 16:50

62

This doesn't let you switch straight to a target app, but ctrl + cursor keys will let you move left and right through your spaces to reach the full screen app.

The shortcut can be changed in system preferences -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts -> Mission Control.

edited Sep 18 '16 at 16:50

tog22

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answered Mar 30 '14 at 23:30

Kevin Grabher

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is there a way to jump directly to a full screen app when you have more than one? Similar to switching tabs on Chrome using using command+[number]? – syclee Jun 15 '15 at 03:23
You can use the regular application switcher (cmd + tab) – Kevin Grabher Jun 15 '15 at 05:37
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@KevinGrabher, however, this only works when there are no other non-fullscreen windows of the target app. – mike_k Jan 07 '17 at 09:54
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Also worth mentioning that if you're on a MacBook, you can set up swipes to do this -- 4 finger death pun^H^H^H^H swipe and you're in a new fullscreen. System Prefs >>> Trackpad >>> More Gestures >>> Swipe between full-screen apps. – ruffin Oct 01 '22 at 15:44

score 20 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 12 '13 at 09:49

20

yes, there is. Activated System Preferences -> Mission Control -> When switch to an application, switch to space…

answered Nov 12 '13 at 09:49

Sebastian Semmler

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This setting is already activated, so unfortunately not a solution for this/my problem – MysticEarth Nov 12 '13 at 10:02
Did you turn it on and off again? ;)
This works, the only exception is Finder!
– Sebastian Semmler Dec 09 '13 at 13:34
Does not work for me either in a specific app (Project Zomboid, works fine elsewhere. – Fabien Snauwaert Mar 08 '15 at 16:22
Works like a charm! – Joshua Grosso Feb 02 '16 at 17:07
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problem is when there are multiple full screen windows for a single app. you cannot seem to bind the control-number sequence to them. real bummber. – wprater Nov 23 '16 at 00:54
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This preference worked for me, even though I don't otherwise use Missino Control or spaces at all. (I suppose Fullscreen acts as a separate virtual space.) Cmd-Tab now shows the full-screen application window. – Joshua Goldberg May 17 '21 at 01:59
In in Numbers this works when there is only one document open. With two documents open it only switches to the non maximized window. – rebusB Apr 13 '23 at 14:21

score 7 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 31 '17 at 14:17

7

I suggest Apptivate app for this. Easiest way for switching between apps. No need for complicated shortcuts, jus stroke sequence like: F1, than any key for yours app. No problem to use single key (F1 / F2 / F3 ...), or longer sequence (F1,F2,F1 / F2,F2,q).

answered Mar 31 '17 at 14:17

w mmxvii

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Great idea! If you do this, don't forget to enable the Use F# keys as standard function keys in the keyboard settings. – joepio Oct 10 '18 at 09:20
Love it, great solution. I created a pattern for all the apps I keep fullscreen. Ctrl-A, . This lets you avoid keyboard shortcut conflicts with other apps. Kind of like emacs with a metakey. So,Ctrl-A,S gets me to Sublime, Ctrl-A,T gets me to Terminal, etc. – Peter P. Jul 18 '19 at 03:46

score 5 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 09 '16 at 20:28

I spent a really long time looking at this and found that under keyboard > shortcuts there is a section under the name keyboard called mission control. It says that ctrl + arrow key, whether it be left or right, will switch "spaces". "Spaces" are your full-screen applications you have running. You can use cmd + tab to switch the focus window that will appear at the top, but it didn't seem to work for full-screen apps as quickly as the ctrl + arrow key. All of those keyboard shortcuts work, but if you wanted a quick way to switch between full-screen apps, just use ctrl + arrow key. I don't know what to tell you for minimized apps though because those don't work. You could just set focus to the app and use the "show available windows" option in mission control by using ctrl + arrow down.

score 5 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 06 '21 at 13:27

5

If you're using new MacBook Pro models with the Touch Bar, you can change your Keyboard settings for Touch Bar to display Spaces (including full screen apps) on the Touch Bar, which allows you to directly switch to a specific fullscreen app without looping through all of them with Cmd+Tab or swipe gestures. It looks something like this.

Here's the relevant Settings page.

answered Jul 06 '21 at 13:27

thenewpotato

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I find this answer to be darkly funny, because for me (using an external keyboard) the touchbar is even further to reach than the touchpad. Sigh. – q.undertow Aug 11 '22 at 22:30

score 4 · Answer 6 · answered May 19 '19 at 19:40

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It has been a while and it seems that the keyboard shortcut for switching spaces has changed. In Mac OS X High Sierra it was set to ctrl + option + arrow key for me.

answered May 19 '19 at 19:40

titusn

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Israel L Rosas · Answer 7 · 2023-01-08T02:57:09.880

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For those users that have Ventura, System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Mission Control > When switching an app...

edited Jan 08 '23 at 02:57

answered Jan 08 '23 at 02:56

Israel L Rosas

1

score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Jun 27 '23 at 16:12

This free tool solves the problem for any mouse: Mac Mouse Fix (source code)!

(My is "Bloody V8", and it works)

Here's my config:

The middle click with dragging to the left/right will move space to the left/right.

You can also set switching to side buttons directly if you don't like dragging. I left side buttons for Chrome's tab switching.

How to switch between fullscreen applications in OSX (Mavericks)

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