In Finder on your Mac, it is possible to have several open applications at the same time. This can be useful if you need to copy and paste information between different programs or if you want quick access to a specific set of applications while you work. However, what happens when you need switch quickly between these applications instead of clicking individually on each window or using the exposé function? In this article, we will show you different methods to switch between apps efficiently in Finder on your Mac. With these tips, you'll be able to navigate your open apps with ease and increase your productivity in the process.
Method 1: Use the Command + Tab keyboard shortcut
One of the quickest and easiest methods to switch between apps in Finder is to use the Command + Tab keyboard shortcut. Simply hold down the Command key on your keyboard and then press the Tab key repeatedly until you highlight the desired app. Once the app is highlighted, you can release both keys to open it.
Method 2: Use the exposé function
Another convenient way to switch between apps in the Finder is to use the exposé function of your Mac. This allows you to view all open windows in a thumbnail format and quickly select the desired application. To activate the exposé feature, you can simply use the F3 keyboard shortcut on your keyboard or configure a custom shortcut in system preferences.
Method 3: Use the Dock
The Dock is a toolbar located at the bottom of your Mac screen that contains shortcuts to applications and documents. Switching between apps in the Finder using the Dock is pretty easy. You just have to click on the desired application icon in the Dock to open that application. If you already have the app open, clicking its icon in the Dock will take you to the corresponding window.
With these methods, you now have different optionsto switch quickly between apps in Finder on your Mac. Try each of them and choose the one that best suits your workflow. You'll save time and be surprised at how convenient it can be to navigate your open apps with just a few clicks or keyboard shortcuts. Transition between your programs with ease and efficiency!
1. Browsing multiple apps in Finder
One of the most useful features of the Finder is the ability to browse multiple applications. efficient way. This is especially useful when you have multiple apps open and need to quickly switch between them. Below, we'll describe how to switch between apps in Finder and maximize your productivity on your Mac.
1. Keyboard shortcut: The fastest and most efficient method to switch between applications in the Finder is by using a keyboard shortcut. The Command + Tab key combination It will allow you to quickly switch between open applications. By holding down the Command key and then repeatedly pressing the Tab key, you can navigate through all your open apps in the order they are listed on the screen. taskbar.
2. Mission Control: Mission Control It is a function built into the operating system macOS that allows you to see all your open windows and applications on a single screen. To access Mission Control, you can do Click the “Mission Control” icon at the bottom of the Dock, use the F3 keyboard shortcut, or perform a three- or four-finger swipe up gesture on the trackpad. Once in Mission Control, you'll be able to see all your open apps and easily navigate between them.
3. Exposé: Another useful way to navigate multiple apps in the Finder is by using I exposed. This feature allows you to view all open windows of a single app in a thumbnail view, making it easy to identify and switch between them. To access Exposé, you can click the “Exposé” icon at the bottom of the Dock, use the F9 keyboard shortcut, or perform a pinch gesture with three or four fingers on the trackpad. By using Exposé, you will be able to see all the open windows of a specific application and quickly select the one you want to use.
2. Quickly accessing open applications
There are several ways to quickly switch between open apps in the Finder without wasting time searching for them manually. One of the most efficient options is to use the Command + Tab keyboard shortcut. By pressing these keys simultaneously, a list of all open applications will appear at the top of the screen. You can use the arrow keys to highlight the desired app and then release the Command key to instantly open that app. This keyboard shortcut is especially useful when you have multiple apps open and need to switch between them quickly without wasting time searching for them manually.
Another alternative for quick access to the applications opened in the Finder is by using the applications icon in the Dock. If you have pinned the apps icon to the Dock, simply click on it and a list of open apps will be displayed. You can select the desired application by clicking on it and it will open immediately. This option is convenient if you frequently use the same applications and want to have quick and direct access to them without having to use keyboard shortcuts.
Additionally, you can also use macOS's Exposé feature to quickly access all the open windows in your apps. You can activate Exposé by pressing the F3 key on the keyboard or by using the Control + Up keyboard shortcut. By doing so, all open windows will be displayed in a thumbnail view, allowing you to easily select the desired application and window. Exposé is especially useful when you have multiple windows open in the same application and you need to quickly switch between them without losing sight of any of them.
In short, to quickly access open apps in the Finder, you can use keyboard shortcuts like Command + Tab, click the apps icon in the Dock, or turn on the Exposé feature. These options will help you save time and get things done more efficiently by switching between apps effortlessly.
3. Using keyboard shortcuts to switch between applications
There are several ways to switch between apps in Finder using keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts facilitate fast and efficient navigation, allowing users to access different applications without having to use the mouse or trackpad. Here are some keyboard shortcut options for switching between apps in Finder:
- Cmd + Tab: This keyboard shortcut allows you to switch between open apps in Finder. Simply hold down the "Cmd" key and then press the "Tab" key repeatedly to scroll through open applications. When you reach the desired app, release them to open the selected app.
- Cmd + Option + Tab: This keyboard shortcut allows you to switch between windows of the same application open in Finder. Press and hold the “Cmd” and “Option” keys while at the same time, then press the “Tab” key repeatedly to scroll through the different application windows. Release the keys to open the selected window.
- Cmd + `: This keyboard shortcut allows you to switch between the windows of different applications open in the Finder. Hold down the "Cmd" key and then press the "`" key (usually located next to the "1" key on the keyboard) to scroll through open application windows. When you reach the desired window, release the keys to open it.
These keyboard shortcuts are very useful for users who prefer to use the keyboard instead of the mouse or trackpad. Plus, they speed up productivity by avoiding the need to scroll through the app bar or Dock to switch between apps. In addition to these options, you can also explore other keyboard shortcuts available in macOS, customize them to your liking and adapt them to your specific needs.
In short, knowing the proper keyboard shortcuts for switching between apps in the Finder can save you time and effort when interacting with your Mac. Whether using Cmd + Tab to switch between open apps, Cmd + Option + Tab to switch between windows of the same application or Cmd + ` To switch between different app windows, these shortcuts will help you navigate quickly and make the most of your Finder experience. Try these shortcuts and discover how to improve your workflow!
4. Customizing keyboard shortcuts for a more efficient experience
Customize your keyboard shortcuts in the Finder to increase your efficiency in using applications. Quickly switching between open applications can be essential for optimizing your workflow. In the Mac Finder, you have the ability to customize your keyboard shortcuts to make this process more efficient and tailor it to your specific needs. With this, you can perform actions such as opening an application, minimizing windows or even directly accessing a folder, all with just a few key presses.
To customize your keyboard shortcuts in Finder, simply follow these steps:
1. Open the System Preferences app from the Apple menu.
2. Click on “Keyboard” and select the “Shortcuts” tab.
3. In the left panel, choose “Applications” and then click “Keyboard Shortcuts.”
4. Next, select “Finder App” to access the specific options for this program.
5. In this section, you'll find a list of common Finder-related actions, such as "Open a new window," "Minimize all windows," or "Go to the startup folder." Click the “+” sign to add a new shortcut for a particular action.
Remember that, by customizing your keyboard shortcuts in the Finder, you will be creating a more efficient environment adapted to your needs. Experiment with different key combinations and discover how you can streamline your workflow to the maximum. Do you prefer to use single-key combinations, such as F1 or F2? Or are you more comfortable with shortcuts that involve combining multiple keys, like Cmd+Shift+L? The choice is yours. Plus, you can always go back to the default settings if any changes don't convince you.
Don't forget that keyboard shortcuts can also vary depending on the language and regional settings of your Mac. Keep this in mind when customizing your shortcuts and make sure they don't conflict with other key combinations already assigned. And don't worry if you don't find a specific action in the default list! You can create your own custom combinations by using the “Finder App” option in the top left drop-down menu.
In summary, customize keyboard shortcuts in Finder It's a great way to increase your productivity and efficiency when switching between applications. Take advantage of the flexibility your Mac gives you and discover combinations that give you quick access to features and actions important to your workflow. Feel free to experiment and adapt the shortcuts to your personal preferences. You'll see how it will make a difference in your daily Finder experience!
5. Implementing touch gestures to switch between applications
When working with Finder on a Mac, it is common to have multiple applications open at the same time. Switching between these applications quickly and efficiently can be crucial to improving productivity. One way to achieve this is. Next, we will show you how to do it:
Step 1: Go to System Preferences.
To get started, you need to go to the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.” Once there, you will find a section called “Trackpad” or “Trackpad and Mouse”. Click that option to access your Mac's trackpad settings.
Step 2: Enable the touch gestures option.
In the touchpad settings, make sure to select the “Gestures” tab. Here you will find several touch gesture options that you can enable. Look for the option that says "Swipe between apps" or "Swipe with three fingers" and activate it. This gesture will allow you to switch between applications by swiping three fingers left or right on the touchpad.
Step 3: Customize touch gestures.
If you want a more personalized experience, you can click the “Customize” button in the touch gesture settings. This will allow you to assign different actions to specific gestures. For example, you could assign the four-finger swipe up gesture to open Mission Control or the three-finger pinch gesture to open Launchpad. Explore the different options and choose the gestures that best suit you. your needs.
Implementing touch gestures to switch between apps in Finder is a great way to optimize your workflow and streamline your daily tasks on your Mac. Try these steps and see how you can quickly switch between apps without having to depend on the mouse or keyboard. Increase your efficiency and get the most out of your Mac by taking full advantage of touch technology!
6. Using the dock to quickly switch to frequent applications
The macOS dock is a powerful tool that allows us to quickly and easily access our favorite applications. Instead of having to search for and open an application every time we need it, the dock gives us the ability to always keep them within reach of one click. This saves us time and helps us navigate efficiently through our operating system.
One of the most useful features of the dock is the ability to quickly switch between frequently used applications. When we have several applications open at the same time, it can be tedious and confusing to switch between them. However, the dock allows us to do it quickly and without complications. Simply by clicking the icon of the desired application in the dock, we can instantly switch to it, without the need to navigate through different windows or use keyboard shortcuts. This greatly facilitates our productivity and allows us to concentrate on our tasks without interruptions.
In addition to quickly switching between frequent applications, the dock also offers us the possibility of managing our applications in a personalized way. Can add or remove applications according to our needs and preferences, simply by dragging them to or from the dock. We can even organize applications in the dock to our liking, placing them in the order that best suits us. This allows us to have quick access to the applications we use most frequently and helps us maintain a clean and organized desktop.
In conclusion, the macOS dock is a key tool for quickly switching between frequent applications. It allows us to easily and quickly access our favorite applications with just one click. In addition, it gives us the possibility of customizing and organizing our applications according to our needs and preferences. With these functions, the dock becomes an indispensable tool to improve our productivity and make the most of our operating system.
7. Expanding the options with third-party applications to manage open windows
There are different third-party applications that allow you to expand the window management options open in the Finder. These applications offer greater flexibility and control for switching between applications and organizing the display of open windows. Below are some of the most popular ones and their main features:
1. Witch: Witch is an application that improves navigation between open windows in the Finder. Allows you to quickly switch between different application windows, displaying a drop-down list with all open windows. It also offers options to group windows by applications or workspaces and makes navigation easier using customizable keyboard combinations.
2. HyperSwitch: HyperSwitch is an application that provides thumbnail views of open windows when switching between applications. This allows you to quickly view the content of each window and select the one you want to use. Additionally, HyperSwitch offers additional features such as tab previews in web browsers and the ability to close applications directly from the thumbnail view.
3. Command-Tab Plus: Command-Tab Plus is a tool that extends the capabilities of the native macOS App Switcher. It allows you to make quick switches between applications and also organize open windows into virtual groups for more efficient access. In addition, it offers options to show or hide specific windows and allows you to customize the appearance of the application switch view.
These third-party apps provide additional options to manage open windows in the Finder and improve the browsing experience on macOS. Its flexibility and customizable functionalities allow you to adapt window management to the individual needs of each user. If you're looking for a more efficient way to switch between apps and organize your open windows, consider trying one of these apps mentioned.
I am Sebastián Vidal, a computer engineer passionate about technology and DIY. Furthermore, I am the creator of tecnobits.com, where I share tutorials to make technology more accessible and understandable for everyone.