What the Option key unlocks on a Mac: 12 hidden tricks

Hold Option and menus, buttons and the Dock show extra choices. Twelve Option key tricks for windows, files, the Dock and the menu bar.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

What does holding Option do?

It shows a second version of many commands. Open a menu and press ⌥: some items change their names while you hold it. The same works on buttons, the Dock and icons in the menu bar.

Which Option tricks are worth knowing?

Do thisWhat happens
⌥ click another app in the DockSwitches to it and hides the app you left
⌥ ⌘ click an app in the DockSwitches to it and hides every other app
⌥ click the yellow buttonMinimizes every window of the app
⌥ click the red buttonCloses every window of the app
⌥ click the green buttonFills the screen without full screen
⌥ drag a fileCopies it instead of moving it
⌥ right click Finder in the DockShows Relaunch
⌥ right click an app in the DockQuit becomes Force Quit
⌥ with the Edit menu open, after copying a filePaste Item becomes Move Item Here
⌥ click Wi-Fi in the menu barShows network details
⌥ with a brightness or sound keyOpens that setting's pane
⌥ ⇧ with a brightness or sound keyChanges it in smaller steps

Why does Option do something different in some apps?

Each app decides what its own menus show with Option held. The Dock, Finder and window buttons behave the same everywhere; inside apps, open a menu and hold the key to see what changes.

The symbols in menus: Mac keyboard symbols. More on hiding: minimize versus hide. Moving files: cut and paste.

Questions

What does Option click do on a Mac?

It runs a second version of the command: in the Dock it hides the app you left, on the yellow button it minimizes every window.

How do I see hidden menu options on a Mac?

Open a menu and hold Option. Some items change while you hold it.

How do I copy a file instead of moving it on a Mac?

Hold Option while you drag it.

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