Why your Mac jumps to another desktop when you switch apps
⌘ Tab sends you flying to another Space because of one Mission Control setting. How to turn it off, and what changes when you do.
Turn off System Settings, Desktop & Dock, Mission Control, When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application. ⌘ Tab will then stop jumping desktops.
What changes when it is off
- Switching to an app keeps you on the current desktop. If the app's windows are elsewhere, its menu bar shows but no window does.
- Click the app in the Dock to see its windows, or use ⌃ ↓ (App Exposé) to pick one.
- Opening a new window in that app puts it on the desktop you are on.
If desktops also swap places, turn off Automatically rearrange Spaces too. See stopping Spaces rearranging.
One desktop, nothing to jump to
Jumping is a side effect of spreading windows over several desktops. ClutterFreeMac keeps every window on one desktop, on a strip you scroll; switching to an app slides the strip to its window instead of switching Spaces.
Questions
How do I stop my Mac switching desktops when I click an app?
Turn off When switching to an application, switch to a Space with open windows for the application, in System Settings, Desktop & Dock, Mission Control.
Read next
- Guide
How to stop your Mac changing the order of your desktops
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⌃ ← and ⌃ → move between desktops; ⌃ and a number jumps straight to one, once turned on. Every shortcut and gesture for Spaces, and how to set them.
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