alt-tab-macos brings the power of Windows' "alt-tab" window switcher to macOS.
Download the latest release and extract it in your Applications folder. If macOS refuses to run the application because it's from an unidentified developer, right-click the application, choose Open then click Open in the prompt that appears.
From macOS 10.12 to 10.15
- Press
⌥ option+⇥ tabto shows the thumbnails. - Hold
⌥ optionand press⇥ tabto select the next thumbnail. - Hold
⌥ optionand press⇧ shift+⇥ tabto select the previous thumbnail. - Release
⌥ optionto switch focus to the window.
Extra:
- You hover and click with the
🖱️ mouse. - You cycle with
⇦ left arrowand⇨ right arrow. - You can cancel with
⎋ escape.
- Change the shortcut key, switch to a Windows theme and more, using the Preferences window.
- If you like scriptable/portable configuration, you can edit
~/Library/Preferences/alt-tab-macos.json.
Come discuss with us on the Discord server.
Before building my own app, I looked around at similar apps. However, none was completely satisfactory so I rolled my own. Also, the almost-good-enough apps are not open-source.
| Alternative | Differences |
|---|---|
| HyperSwitch and HyperDock | Closed-source. Thumbnails are too small. App icon is on top of the thumbnail |
| WindowSwitcher | 7$. Thumbnails are small and blurry. App icon is on top of the thumbnail |
| Switch | Open Source. Thumbnails are small. Very little customization. Latest release is from 2016 |
| Witch and Context | 10-15$. Closed-source. Focus on text. No thumbnails |
| Built-in MissionControl | No keyboard support |
⌘ command + ⇥ tab |
Only shows apps, not windows (note: can press down to see window of selected app) |
⌘ command + ` |
Cycles through tabs and windows, but only of the same app. Only cycling, no direct access |
