Window snapping not working on your Mac? The settings that turn tiling off

When dragging a window to the edge no longer tiles it, one of a few settings is off. Which ones, where they live on macOS 27, and what each one does.

Guide · Updated 16 October 2026

Why is window snapping not working on my Mac?

One of these settings in System Settings, Desktop & Dock, is off. Their names on macOS 27.0.1:

SettingWhat it controls
Drag windows to left or right edge of screen to tileTiling by dragging to a side
Drag windows to menu bar to fill screenFilling the screen by dragging to the top
Hold ⌥ key while dragging windows to tileTiling at once, without waiting at the edge
Tiled windows have marginsGaps between tiled windows
Displays have separate SpacesRequired: macOS says tiling needs it

Why do the tiling shortcuts not work?

The shortcuts, fn ⌃ and an arrow, use the globe or fn key. Check they are listed in Keyboard Shortcuts, Windows, and that no other app uses them. Some keyboards from other makers have no fn key that macOS reads.

Why does the window not snap when I drag it slowly?

macOS waits a moment at the edge before tiling, so you can drag past. Hold ⌥ while dragging to tile at once, if that setting is on.

Switching it off on purpose: turn off window tiling. Every tiling layout: how to tile windows on a Mac.

Checked on 16 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1, by reading its settings and the labels in System Settings. Nothing was changed. Tiled window margins were off on this Mac.

Questions

Why won't my windows snap on Mac?

Drag windows to left or right edge of screen to tile may be off in Desktop & Dock, or Displays have separate Spaces is off, which tiling needs.

How do I turn window snapping back on in macOS?

System Settings, Desktop & Dock, turn on Drag windows to left or right edge of screen to tile.

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