What's your preferred way of quickly switching between apps and why?

[rjalex]

Been using Mac for around 5 years now as my sole work/home environment coming from a long Unix/Linux professional career. Almost never a Windows user if not a looooong time ago.

Most of the time I spend coding with my IDE (Visual Studio Code) in full screen and also usually the browser and perhaps Excel to look at data (both in full screen).

Routinely also have another desktop with a few command line shells to monitor the system, start servers or ssh to other machines and a mail window open on it.

So my main way of switching from app to app is simply to three finger swipe left or right to quickly get the desired full screen app or the desktop. From times to times I also three finger swipe up for mission control.

All of this on my Mini's external 4K native resolution screen.

So my automatic unconscious gesture is a three finger swipe and that's it Find it seamless and pretty accurate.

Don't usually use Spaces nor the new Ventura Stage Manager.

Should I change my mind? For what good reason?

Why is Apple building several different ways to achieve a similar result?

 

[fisherking]

because people like to work in different ways. there are lots of places in the OS where there are numerous paths to the same end result.

i live & die by command-tab. but whatever is comfortable or most efficient for someone is best for them...

 

[Energybutton]

I use Command + Tab, it's pretty much identical to Alt + Tab in Windows which I use for work.

If the three finger swipe works for you, I don't see any reason to change it.

 

[stradify]

If you'd like to access an app using a keystroke or key combo I recommend Keyboard Maestro Editor.
It works seamlessly with Spaces and Stage Manager.

In order to get the most out of it I use my function keys as Standard Function Keys which can be chosen in Settings>Keyboard Shortcuts>Function Keys. I then use F1-F8 to launch, or bring to the front, my most used apps and files. For apps and files I use less often I create two-key combos.

 

[millerj123]

My tried-and-true method is to look from one application on one monitor to another application on another monitor, start working furiously only to realize I haven’t changed the computers focus at all. Swear profusely and return to the original application to undue whatever damage I’ve caused.

At work we use a combination of windows, Linux and Unix, so alt-tab unless pointing by mouse is faster.

 

[rjalex]

Good points and just made me discover Cmd-Tab Thanks

 

[tstafford]

My tried-and-true method is to look from one application on one monitor to another application on another monitor, start working furiously only to realize I haven’t changed the computers focus at all. Swear profusely and return to the original application to undue whatever damage I’ve caused.

At work we use a combination of windows, Linux and Unix, so alt-tab unless pointing by mouse is faster.

This is my approach exactly! And why I love having several monitors. My OCD won't allow me to have windows behind windows.

And for sure fail to change focus all the time!

 

[ndouglas]

Cmd + tab remains the best for me. Even though some 5 (?) versions ago they removed the vastly superior part of it that left the row of apps visible, so I could just use the arrow keys. Now with this still “new” to me version, I have to keep holding CMD while visually finding the app I want. Nevertheless, it’s still my go-to method.

A secondary one that I am trying to like more, use more is 4 fingers swipe up, that kind of meets my need/want above to view all the apps without holding buttons down.

I appreciate the good idea/reminder to use 3-finger side swipe, I like that too, for some reason I often forget about it.

 

[martint235]

Strangely I use alt-tab on Windows but on the Mac I just use the dock at the bottom. Worth noting my Mac isn’t used for work

 

[rm5]

I use Cmd+Tab to switch between apps, and Cmd+` to switch between windows.

 

[fisherking]

I use Cmd+Tab to switch between apps, and Cmd+` to switch between windows.

the key commands are great; command-H to hide the frontmost app is useful too...

 

[chabig]

Cmd + tab remains the best for me. Even though some 5 (?) versions ago they removed the vastly superior part of it that left the row of apps visible, so I could just use the arrow keys. Now with this still “new” to me version, I have to keep holding CMD while visually finding the app I want.

You can still use the arrow keys while holding the cmd key down. You can also just put your cursor over an app to go straight to it. Tap the Q key and the highlighted app quits. Type an H and it hides.

 

[MisterSavage]

Good points and just made me discover Cmd-Tab Thanks

cmd-shift-tab goes in the opposite direction

 

[rm5]

And while you're in Cmd+Tab you can do Cmd+` to go backwards, too

 

[boss.king]

Four finger swipe up to the spread out view of all windows (is that Exposé? I never remember what Apple calls half these things) then click on the window I want. I regularly have multiple windows from the same app open at once, so Command Tabbing never really gets me all the way to where I need to be.

 

[MauiPa]

I use multiple desktops (spaces, I guess) I assign applications to a specific desktop that is convenient to the way I am working (i.e. near each other). I usually swipe from one to the other, but it also works nicely to simply use the dock and click on the preferred application, or even open a document in an application as the desktop location is saved with the application. This also works nicely if you use the open at login in settings, as the applications open in their correct position. another cool trick if you want them to be on the same desktop for awhile is to drag them using the top and drag them over the top of the screen, this brings up the manager and lets you choose the location.

I am a simple guy, I like simple and efficient and this works for me

 

[rm5]

On my MacBook, I have Chrome in full-screen and it's right next to the main desktop, so it's easy to access. I have my school chrome profile (I like to keep browsing separate) minimized and when I need to access it, I'll just open it and I might or might not full-screen it, depends. I also have the dock hidden, which I would highly recommend especially if you're on a laptop. This only goes for the MacBook—my Mac Pro is different because I have a big monitor.

 

[ndouglas]

You can still use the arrow keys while holding the cmd key down. You can also just put your cursor over and app to go straight to it. Tap the Q key and the highlighted app quits. Type an H and it hides.

Ahh that’s cool about Q and H when the row of apps is showing, thanks! So many semi-hidden features like this that I still am discovering…

 

[unrigestered]

cmd-shift-tab goes in the opposite direction

or simply use the left / right arrow keys to navigate if i want to change directions, which at least for me is more intuitive

 

[rm5]

The Q and H thing is really neat!! I like it!

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

i use pretty much anything but stage manager lol

cmd+tab , misson control, app expose , clicking on apps in dock , spotlight

 

[Larsvonhier]

cmd-shift-tab goes in the opposite direction

Once cmd-tabbed, you can also hold cmd and use cursor keys to select any of the running apps.
Or hold cmd, go to an app and quit it directly with "Q".

 

[BotchQue]

The OP said:

Should I change my mind? For what good reason?
Why is Apple building several different ways to achieve a similar result?

Since my Atari days I haven't quite understood why there were SO many options to do the same thing (especially App Switchers, called "Program Launchers" in those days). I just Cmd-H (hide) a program when I'm done with it, then click on the next one in the Dock with a click (they don't have to relaunch if they're "hidden").
Towards the end of the day, I start fully Quitting programs, and still think that's a good idea once a day or so.

Here we are, complaining about options. 🤪

 

[svenmany]

I use an external keyboard and mouse, so no swiping for me.

Usually, I hit cmd-tab and then, in the displayed list, click on the program I want with my mouse. I use cmd-` to switch between windows of one program.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

The OP said:

Should I change my mind? For what good reason?
Why is Apple building several different ways to achieve a similar result?

Since my Atari days I haven't quite understood why there were SO many options to do the same thing (especially App Switchers, called "Program Launchers" in those days). I just Cmd-H (hide) a program when I'm done with it, then click on the next one in the Dock with a click (they don't have to relaunch if they're "hidden").
Towards the end of the day, I start fully Quitting programs, and still think that's a good idea once a day or so.

Here we are, complaining about options. 🤪

Feel that

Nobody's complaining tho