Sonoma application window randomly stays in focus so you can't select windows behind

[theChachi]

I have a question.
Can I use "Feedback Assistant" to submit reports even if I am not a Beta Program participant?
I am only using the official release version, not the beta version.


I have previously reported below.
Feedback - macOS - Apple

Feedback - macOS

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about macOS.

www.apple.com

I have actually used both methods in the past as well. I'm not currently using a beta and the app is installed by default. As far as I know either method is totally acceptable. One advantage to using the Feedback Assistant app is it gathers the System information reports for you.

How did you file your bug report, @netnothing?

 

[Oh-es-Ten]

I have a question.
Can I use "Feedback Assistant" to submit reports even if I am not a Beta Program participant?
I am only using the official release version, not the beta version.

I do this all the time as my daily driver can’t be on the Beta train, have no idea if they only now really action filed Feedback on the Beta releases, but this window focus bug should have never even been released so I keep trying.

I’ve also added this thread URL into my Feedback as someone kindly put the steps to reproduce and it shows others having the same issue. It’s killing me as it’s the only major blocker I have using Sonoma daily.

 

[cieulien]

Just to report that macOS Sonoma 14.1 does NOT fix this issue.

In fact, DaVinci Resolve 18.6 window stays in front on ALL Desktops! This is so annoying! It did not happen on Mac OS Sonoma 14.0 - the update to 14.1 began the problem with Davinci. I don't know about other apps yet.

 

[ktekinay]

I just updated to Sonoma and see this too in apps that I have set to All Desktops. (Never thought to do this in the Finder, so I'll do that now!)

Simple workaround: Hide the offending app, then Show it again.

 

[ktekinay]

Sorry if someone else already posted this, I didn't read the entire thread.

I can reproduce this every time. Go to another Space, open a window from an app that appears in All Desktops, just to Space 1. I can jump to Spaces other than 1 without the issue, or open the window while on Space 1.

Hide/Show resolves the immediate problem.

 

[Oh-es-Ten]

In fact, DaVinci Resolve 18.6 window stays in front on ALL Desktops! This is so annoying! It did not happen on Mac OS Sonoma 14.0 - the update to 14.1 began the problem with Davinci. I don't know about other apps yet.

There was an update to Resolve 18.6.3 yesterday that says addresses a window issue in Sonoma 14.1 - this might be for you!

Sadly the original issue (any app that is set to “All Desktops” getting stuck in focus in Space 1 - still persists.. every.. day.

 

[cryohellinc]

I am baffled that there is still no fix for this from Apple.

 

[vivekster]

Hi, I browsed quickly through responses, so I'm sorry if someone already said this, but I've found a very silly workaround.

Scenario (14.1.2): I use two desktops and noticed that apps assigned to all desktops were only behaving this way on the desktop I opened them on, so:

1) Close all apps that are assigned to all desktops
2) Create a new Desktop and move it left to the Desktop 1 position
3) *While on Desktop 1* reopen all apps that are assigned to all desktops
4) Don't use Desktop 1

I have apps open that are assigned to all desktops (including Davinci Resolve 18.6), and while I'm on Desktop 2 and 3, everything's fine. No bully apps. They're fighting it out on Desktop 1.

 

[Oh-es-Ten]

Still not fixed in 14.1.2 - although does seem to occur slightly less since this update. Really want this back to when it worked as expected.

 

[Ryo@ryomac]

It seems that it has finally been fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.2 (23C64).

 

[netnothing]

It seems that it has finally been fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.2 (23C64).

Can confirm, this looks to be fixed for me as well on 14.2.

 

[theChachi]

Preliminary tests show this has indeed been fixed in 14.2! 👍 Time will tell, but I sure hope this one is squashed!! 🙏

 

[cryohellinc]

The issue is still there for me on 14.2 (23c64)

 

[cryohellinc]

14.3 issue is still there.

 

[netnothing]

14.3 issue is still there.
View attachment 2324426

You are having the exact same symptoms that are listed in this post? For me, 14.2 completely solved this. Everything works as normal now. On Desktop 3, I can open a Finder window (that is assigned to all desktops), then go to Desktop 1 and that Finder window won't be stuck on top anymore. In fact it will be pushed behind the windows already on Desktop 1.

 

[cryohellinc]

You are having the exact same symptoms that are listed in this post? For me, 14.2 completely solved this. Everything works as normal now. On Desktop 3, I can open a Finder window (that is assigned to all desktops), then go to Desktop 1 and that Finder window won't be stuck on top anymore. In fact it will be pushed behind the windows already on Desktop 1.

My exact issue is here, first post:

MacOS Windows focus bug

I'll try to do it today, Do you know if that's known problem or only us got it? Apple planning to fix it? It feels like i have old computer with this bug! it's insane! new mac 2023 pro with m3 MAX and i have this focus problem everytimeI use external monitors / desktops. I hope it's not hardware...

forums.macrumors.com

Is it different to yours?

 

[netnothing]

My exact issue is here, first post:

MacOS Windows focus bug

I'll try to do it today, Do you know if that's known problem or only us got it? Apple planning to fix it? It feels like i have old computer with this bug! it's insane! new mac 2023 pro with m3 MAX and i have this focus problem everytimeI use external monitors / desktops. I hope it's not hardware...

forums.macrumors.com

Is it different to yours?

Oh yeah, I saw your video. That is different than what this post was about. This post was about entire application windows staying on top when switching desktops if the application window was assigned to all desktops, but not open on desktop 1.

I only use 1 display, and haven't had your issue happen on my setup.

 

[maccan]

Can confirm it is fixed in 14.2!
However some other glitch related to workspace switching is still present:

See my post here:

Assignment of Safari Web Apps to workspace does not work

I'm running Sonoma 14.2 and realized that Safari Web Apps (SWA) cannot be assigned properly to a dedicated workspace. You can test this as follows: 1. Create a SWA (I did one for Google Maps) 2. Place it into the dock 3. Switch to a workspace you want to assign the SWA 4. Assign the SWA to this...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Ryo@ryomac]

Can confirm it is fixed in 14.2!
However some other glitch related to workspace switching is still present:

I'm glad that the window focus issue has been fixed in macOS 14.2, but when I checked, I found that the same problem was occurring in my environment.

Although I had created Safari Web Apps (SWA), I didn't notice it because I don't use it often.

 

[maccan]

I'm glad that the window focus issue has been fixed in macOS 14.2, but when I checked, I found that the same problem was occurring in my environment.

Although I had created Safari Web Apps (SWA), I didn't notice it because I don't use it often.

Thanks for confirmation!

 

[Ryo@ryomac]

Thanks for confirmation!

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have been fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.2.1.

 

[maccan]

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have been fixed in macOS Sonoma 14.2.1.

Yes, same here! Not fixed in 14.2.1

 

[bendell]

I am also still seeing this issue in 14.2.1

So so so frustrating.

 

[cryohellinc]

Issue is still there on 14.3.

 

[matsan]

After upgrading to Sonoma I thought I was going crazy, but alas - yet another case of how poor window management is in macOS...
Thank you for this thread. Hope there will be some TLC spent on this by the busy devs at Apple, implementing wallpapers, fly-over screen-saves and other must-have features!