alt-tab-macos brings the power of Windows "alt-tab" window switcher to macOS.
- Press
⌥ option+⇥ tabto shows the thumbnails - Hold
⌥ optionand press⇥ tabto select the next thumbnail - Hold
⌥ optionand press⇧ shift+⇥ tabto select the previous thumbnail - Release
⌥ optionto switch focus to the window
Extra:
- You hover and click with the
🖱️ mouse - You cycle with
⇦ left arrowand⇨ right arrow - You can cancel with
⎋ escape
- Change the shortcut key, switch to a Windows theme, and more, using the Preferences window
- If you like scriptable/portable configuration, you can edit
~/Library/Preferences/alt-tab-macos.json
Before building my own app, I looked around at similar apps. However, none was completely satisfactory so I rolled my own. Also the almost-good-enough apps are not open-source.
| Alternative | Differences |
|---|---|
| HyperSwitch and HyperDock | Closed-source. Thumbnails are too small. App icon is on top of the thumbnail |
| Witch and Context | 10-15$. Closed-source. Focus on text. No thumbnails |
| Built-in MissionControl | No keyboard support |
⌘ command + ⇥ tab |
Only shows apps, not windows (note: can press down to see window of selected app) |
⌘ command + ` |
Cycles through tabs and windows, but only of the same app. Only cycling, no direct access |
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