How to find and fix keyboard shortcut conflicts on a Mac

A shortcut that does nothing, or the wrong thing. How to find which app owns it, where macOS keeps its own, and how to keep window shortcuts clash free.

Guide · Updated 13 October 2026

Check System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts first: macOS's own shortcuts for Mission Control, input sources and screenshots win over most apps. Then check any app that adds global shortcuts, such as launchers, clipboard managers and window apps.

Finding the owner

  1. Quit apps that add shortcuts one at a time, and try the shortcut after each.
  2. Look in each app's settings for a shortcuts list.
  3. Check App Shortcuts in Keyboard Shortcuts, where custom menu shortcuts live.

Common clashes for window shortcuts

ShortcutOften taken by
⌃ ← and →macOS: switching desktops
⌃ ↑ and ↓macOS: Mission Control and App Exposé
⌃ SpacemacOS: input source switching
⌥ and arrowsText editing in most apps: moving by word
⌘ and arrowsText editing: start and end of line

Clash free by design

ClutterFreeMac uses ⌃ ⌥ with each key, a pair that apps and macOS rarely use together. Every shortcut can be changed or given a second one in Settings, Shortcuts. See Mac window shortcuts.

Questions

How do I find which app is using a keyboard shortcut on a Mac?

Check System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts, then quit apps that add global shortcuts one by one until the shortcut works.

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