Mission Control, Stage Manager and Spaces: which to use?
Three built in ways to handle windows on a Mac, often confused. What each does, how they combine, and where a window manager fits with them.
macOS has three window tools with overlapping names and jobs. They are easier to choose between side by side.
| Mission Control | Stage Manager | Spaces | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | An overview of every window | One group on stage, the rest in a side strip | Separate desktops |
| Changes layout | No | Yes, while on | Per desktop |
| Best for | Finding a window | A few apps at a time | Separating contexts |
| Turn on | Always available | Control Centre | Add in Mission Control |
How they combine
Spaces and Mission Control work together well. Stage Manager works inside Spaces too, though many people find it fights with their habits.
Where a window manager fits
A window manager replaces the layout part, the job Stage Manager does, and leaves Spaces and Mission Control alone. ClutterFreeMac gives each Space its own strip. If you use it, turn Stage Manager off; the two would argue about where windows go. See Stage Manager alternatives.
Questions
Should I use Stage Manager or Spaces?
Spaces to separate kinds of work, and either Stage Manager or a window manager to keep each one tidy.
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